“Impatient—it is hardly the word. I long to be out in the world again. I could never have endured the long seclusion but for my work over these drawings and my thoughts of you.” “Why me?” “I have felt that I am doing the best for your sake as well as my own. I would not have had you subjected to the vulgar gaze of a crowded court room—not for worlds. The very thought that I have saved you from that has made me contented with my enforced idleness.” “Not idleness,” she said, tapping the roll of drawings with the toe of her shoe. “Well, no, not idleness exactly.” “And I do hope you’ll win the prize,” she added, looking up into his eyes. “So do I. But perhaps you don’t know what I count to be the real prize.” 0255 “Pray, what is that?” Dick thrust a hand into the breast of his coat and brought forth a pocket book. From this he produced a little package, and opening the folds of paper disclosed the white rose which she had sent him on the night of his escape from La Siesta. “Where did you get that?” she asked demurely. “It is your rose—the rose you sent me.” “I did not know you were so partial to roses as to keep them after they are withered.” Her voice trembled; she bravely tried to keep up the pretence of not understanding. “It is not the gift I treasure—it is the thought of who was the giver.” A blush stole over her beautiful face, while the long drooping eyelashes half concealed her brown eyes. Dick’s arms slipped around the girl’s slender waist. “Merle, my dear, I love you. For months past I have known that there is no woman on earth for me but you. I would have spoken before, but I have always been afraid that you could not love me, and that talk of such a thing might terminate a friendship that had become my greatest pleasure in life.” For reply, placing one hand on his shoulder, she just buried her face in his breast and gave way to tears—tears of joy, he knew, as he kissed her hair again and again, and then at last her lips when she allowed him to raise her face toward his. “My darling,” he murmured, and the kiss she gave him back accepted and returned the words of fond endearment. A moment of restful bliss followed; then Merle gently disengaged herself and rose to her feet. “What will Tia Teresa say?” she asked, laughingly, as she glanced over her shoulder. “I think Tia Teresa knew all about my love long ago,” replied Dick. “Yes, both she and Pierre Luzon, too.” “Then you have been wearing your heart on your sleeve.” “Or we have been surrounded by very observant people. But, I say, Merle, this reminds me of a thing I had quite forgotten for the moment.” His face fell. “There is one great barrier that stands between us.” “What do you mean? You are surely too strong and purposeful a man to care for barriers.” “I never knew until the other day that you are so very rich.”