"I hardly know; probably a good deal could be done in the course of the summer. There may be difficulty about getting a clear title; complications about taxes, tax claims, or the old Spanish grants." He thought it was as well she should comprehend, in the beginning, that there would be no going to Washington, for the present at least. "But in our case there can be no complications, we are the old Spaniards ourselves," said Garda, confidently. He was silent. "It would be very hard to have to wait long," she went on, dejected by his manner. "Yes. But it's something to have it sold, isn't it?" "Of course it is, it's everything," she responded, taking heart again. "And even if it is long, I am young, I can wait; Lucian is young too; and--I don't think he will forget me, do you?" "I want to advise one thing--that you should not talk so constantly about Spenser," suggested Winthrop. "Not talk about him? It's all I care for." She drew her arm from his, and moved away. Stopping at a little distance, she gazed back at him with a frown. "I know it is," answered Winthrop, admiring the beauty of her face in anger. "My suggestion is that you talk about him only to me." "Then I shall have to see you _very_ often," she answered, breaking into smiles, and coming to take his arm again of her own accord. They went back through the avenue towards the house. They found Mrs. Thorne in the drawing-room. She appeared to have dressed herself afresh from head to foot, her little black gown was exquisitely neat, her hair under her widow's cap was very smooth; she had a volume of Emerson in her hand. She looked guardedly at Winthrop and her daughter as they came into the room; her face was steady and composed, she was ready for anything. Garda kissed her, and sat down on the edge of her chair, with one arm round her small waist, giving her a little hug to emphasize her words. "Oh, mamma, think of it! Mr. Winthrop wants to buy the place." Mrs. Thorne turned her eyes towards Winthrop. They still had a guarded expression, her face remained carefully grave. "I have long admired the place, Mrs. Thorne," he began, in answer to her glance. "I have thought for some time that if you should ever feel willing to sell it--" "Willing? Delighted!" interpolated Garda. "--I should be very glad to become the purchaser," he concluded; while Garda laughed from pure gladness at hearing the statement repeated in clear, business-like phrase. Mrs. Thorne gave her little cough, and sat looking at the floor. "It would be a great sacrifice," she answered at last. "There would be so many old associations broken, so many precious traditions given up--" "Traditions?" repeated Garda, in her sweet, astonished voice. "But, mamma, we cannot live forever upon traditions."