“I know what you mean, Polly; and it would be sheer hypocrisy for me not to acknowledge what every one knows, that my father is a very proud man and that he is likely to have ambitious hopes for his son. But are they not likely to be realized by our marriage? When you have taken up your abode in the old Izard mansion, you will be quite an eligible match even for Squire Unwin’s son.” A tender, yet half-sarcastic smile took the edge off these words, and showed the little maiden how dearly she was loved. Whereupon she shook her pretty head. “But I am so lacking in accomplishments, Clarke, and he so admires an accomplished woman. Why, I barely know one language well, and your stepmother, I hear, speaks three.” “All of which she will teach you, dear. Accomplishments are easily acquired. In five years you will be a model of learning and culture.” She laughed. “I look like it, do I not? See. I have not even bought myself a new dress. I have had other things to think of.” “I like you in that rose pink gingham, but my father has a great fondness for white. Haven’t you a white dress, Polly?” “You know I have,” she pouted. “Didn’t you tell me last Sunday that——” “Ah, I remember. Yes, yes, put that dress on and come round by the front gate; I will be there to meet you.” “But Mrs. Unwin? You have not told me whether she is likely to approve. I should not want her to greet me coldly.” “My mother? My darling mother? I never think of her as a stepmother, Polly dear. Oh, she knows all about it and is ready to welcome you as a daughter.” The young girl, with a sudden lift of her head, smiled joyously and seemed to gather courage at once. “I will go,” she frankly declared. “And yet I dread to meet him. Is he so very sick, and will his looks frighten me?” “It may be,” answered Clarke, “but I shall be there to make it as easy for you as possible. Do not think of my father, but of me and my love.” She sighed with joy and ran off, as free a thing as the sun shone upon; and he watching her felt his heart soften more and more to her womanly sweetness. “My father will feel her charm,” he murmured, and hastened up the garden walk to the gate where he had promised to wait for her.