“No. I am no hot-house plant that requires a tempered atmosphere in order to thrive and grow! Do you think that I can afford to let you spend the best years of your life away from me, toiling to give me luxuries, while you deny yourself even the comforts and companionship of a home? My father and mother began life in an humble way, and built up their fortune together. I am of no finer clay than they or you; if I am not calculated to share your burdens as well us your pleasures, I am not worthy to be your wife at all,” Gladys concluded, with an energy and decision that made Geoffrey regard her with surprise. “Why, Gladys, what would people think of me if I should ask you to marry me before I could provide you with a comfortable home?” he asked. “I do not expect you will do that; but comfort and elegance are not necessarily one and the same. With the comfortable home provided, we will begin life together, and win our luxuries and elegance hand and hand; it is not a mutual love where one gives all and the other nothing.” “My darling, I had no idea there were such intensely practical ideas in this small head of yours,” said Geoffrey, laughing, but with a very tender face. “Had you not? Well, then, perhaps, I may astonish you again some time,” she returned, laughing, too. “But,” she added, “I think we are both rather premature in our plans, considering that we have two years more of school before us. Besides, it is time I was getting ready to go home with you, and we must not sit here talking longer.” Later in the day the lovers returned to Brooklyn, where they were received with many smiles and significant glances, for both August Huntress and his good wife were greatly delighted by the prospect of a union between these two, upon whom all their fondest hopes had so long been centered. CHAPTER XVI. OUT OF COLLEGE AT LAST. Two years sped rapidly away, but they were improved to the utmost by both Gladys and Geoffrey in their efforts to secure a solid education. They saw but comparatively little of each other during this time, for Geoffrey was so bent upon gaining his year that he made the most he could of every recess and vacation. But they corresponded regularly, each hearing from the other every week, and their letters were a source of great comfort and joy to them. Everet Mapleson, too, worked harder during these two years than he had ever done before. His ambition had been fired by what Gladys had said to him that evening at Mrs. Loring’s reception, and he had determined then that he would bend all his energies toward securing the first honors of his class. He was more strenuous in this, perhaps, than he would have been if Geoffrey Huntress had not succeeded in gaining his year; for when the juniors became seniors our young hero took his place in the class with a record to show that he would be no mean antagonist.