“My own darling! How wonderful it is that this priceless boon should be granted me to crown all the other good gifts that I have received,” he said, in a thrilling voice; then added: “But, Gladys, I must remind you, as I have already reminded your father, that you will have to become the wife of a nameless man. Will that never trouble you?” “Surely, the name that my father has bestowed upon you will do very well, will it not?” “That was just what he also said, dear; but will the mystery that enshrouds me never make you uncomfortable or unhappy?” “No; I am well content with you just as you are.” “But—have you never thought that there may be some story of wrong—of shame, even—connected with my early life? If we should discover it to be so, some time in the future, would you not regret having given yourself to me. Gladys, dear as you are to me, I could better face a separation now, than such a regret by and by.” “Such a story of wrong could never harm you, dear Geoff. All the shame or guilt, if any, would rest upon others—the perpetrators of it. But I have no fear that you will ever be troubled by any such discovery. I believe you will yet learn your parentage and feel honored by it. However, it will never change or mar my love for you,” Gladys replied, with grave earnestness. Geoffrey’s face was luminous. “This noble spirit is just what I might have expected from you, Gladys; yet, I confess, I am very sensitive over the mystery of my birth, and I should never have been fully satisfied without knowing just how you feel about it. Oh, my love, the future looks very bright before us, though the next two years will seem very long to me.” “Why, Geoff! I thought study was a positive delight to you,” Gladys returned, in surprise. “And so it is, but it frets me to feel that, even after I get through college, it will perhaps be years before I can attain a position that will warrant me in asking Uncle August to give you to me finally.” “What kind of a position would satisfy your conscientious scruples, Geoffrey?” Gladys asked, demurely. “I would not feel willing to take you from a home of affluence to one of poverty—you must never miss the luxuries to which you have been accustomed,” he said, thoughtfully. “Do you expect to find the treasure of a Monte Cristo somewhere?” his companion asked, in the same tone as before. “Oh, no; I expect to provide a home and competence by my brains and hands; but it will take time——” “How much?” “Years perhaps.” “How many?” “Five or six, maybe, if I am successful; more if I am not; I shall start off to ‘seek my fortune’ just as soon as I can take my degree.” “Meantime, what is to become of your humble servant?” “You?—why, Gladys, you will have your home and friends the same as now.” “And you will be out in the world, somewhere, working for me?” she said, sitting erect and turning her gaze full upon him. “Of course; that is to be expected; doesn’t it please you?”