There is no doubt she had hoped he would have made the latter choice, but seeing he did not she submitted at once, sitting, not as was her wont close to his side, but on a chair opposite. Hinton sat with his back to the light, but it fell full on Charlotte, and he could see every line of her innocent and noble face as she told her tale. Having got to tell it, she did so in few but simple words; Mrs. Home's story coming of a necessity first, her Uncle Jasper's explanation last. When the whole tale was told, she paused, then said,-- "You see there was nothing in it." "I see," answered Hinton. This was his first remark. He had not interrupted the progress of the narrative by a single observation; then he added, "But I think, if even your father does not feel disposed to help her, that we, you and I, Charlotte, ought to do something for Mrs. Home." "Oh, John dear, how you delight me! How good and noble you are! Yes, my heart aches for that poor mother; yes, we will help her. You and I, how very delightful it will be!" Now she came close to her lover and kissed him, and he returned her embrace. "You will never have a secret again from me, my darling?" he said. "I never, never had one," she answered, for it was impossible for her to understand that this brief delay in her confidence could be considered a secret. "Now for my other news," she said. "Now for your other news," he repeated. "John, what is the thing you desire most in the world?" Of course this young man being sincerely attached to this young woman, answered,-- "You, Charlotte." "John, you always said you did not like Uncle Jasper, but see what a good turn he has done us--he has persuaded my father to allow us to marry at once." "What, without my brief?" "Yes, without your brief; my dear father told me this morning that we may fix the day whenever we like. He says he will stand in the way no longer. He is quite sure of that brief, we need not wait to be happy for it, we may fix our wedding-day, John, and you are to dine here this evening and have a talk with my father afterwards." Hinton's face had grown red. He was a lover, and an attached one; but so diverse were the feelings stirred within him, that for the moment he felt more excited than elated. "Your father is very good," he said, "he gives us leave to fix the day. Very well, that is your province, my Lottie; when shall it be?" "This is the twentieth of February, our wedding-day shall be on the twentieth of June," she replied. "That is four months hence," he said. In spite of himself there was a sound of relief in his tone. "Very well, Charlotte; yes, I will come and dine this evening. But now I am late for an appointment; we will have a long talk after dinner." CHAPTER XIII. HIS FIRST BRIEF.