But he had been revolving other matters in his mind. He had been greatly startled and surprised to learn that Lady Randal had another son, and had been criminally concealing it all these years, and he classed her with the others as a false and heartless woman. He knew that Lady Ruxley was very fond of her companion, but he knew her temperament, and was unwilling that Brownie should remain longer with her in that capacity, while, after the events which had so recently transpired, he did not deem it wise to seek her as a protector for the young girl, as he had planned to do, for any length of time. He could not feel safe about her while the Coolidges were near. Finally, he raised the beautiful face which was resting against his bosom, and, with a look of infinite tenderness, asked: “Darling, it is settled, is it not, that you belong to me now?” “Yes, Adrian, wholly.” “And you will trust me fully, from this time forth?” “I trust you fully,” and the little hands fluttered confidingly in his. “Then, little one—my Brownie, will you come to me now, and let me make you my own wife to-day—or at least as soon as that is possible? I feel that I cannot allow you to be exposed to such suffering and insult for another hour.” He felt her heart leap against his own at his words, but she did not reply. “Darling,” he questioned, “am I putting your love and faith in me to too severe a test?” “To-day! so soon—oh, Adrian!” she whispered, and he could see wave on wave of rich color surging up over her lovely face. “Will you love me better by waiting a week—a month—or a year?” he asked, gravely. “No, oh, no!” she said, quickly. “Can you bear for a moment to think of going back to the old life?” She nestled closer to her lover, and he answered for her: “No, dear, you cannot; and you have nowhere else on earth to go but to the one who loves you best, Brownie,” he continued, with tender authority, “you are mine—you have freely given yourself to me, and now I am not willing that you should go back to face those wolves until I have an indisputable right to go with you to demand proper respect for you, and the restitution of your property, without the possibility of a repetition of the insult and suffering to which you have heretofore been subjected. I know all the objections you would raise,” he went on. “I have thought them all over carefully. Lady Ruxley’s anxiety upon your account; the misconstruction which will be put upon your mysterious absence; the notoriety of a clandestine marriage, etc. But I think it will do them all good to suffer a little upon your account, without it is Lady Ruxley. And as to the other reasons, I do not care a straw for them. In fact, our marriage will not be so very secret, since I announced the fact of our engagement to the whole company assembled in the drawing-room last evening, and told Sir Charles I should marry you just as soon as possible.” “Adrian! did you do that?” demanded Brownie, looking up astonished.