"Indeed it is! but Jack wants to make life beautiful and easy for her, and he can by saying a word. He is awfully tempted to say it; for the old man is dying, has sent for him to come back, and there is yet time to secure a part of the fortune. He won't take it all, but has a fancy that, if he leaves half to charity, it would be a sort of purification to the other half; and he might enjoy it with his love. Don't you think so?" "No, it would spoil the whole thing. Why cannot they be contented to begin with nothing but love, and work up together, earning every clean and honest penny they spend. It would be a comfort to see such a pair in this mercenary world, and I do hope they will do it," said the girl, heartily, though a slightly pensive tone had come into her voice, and she stifled a small sigh, as she put down her vail as if there was nothing worth seeing in the landscape. "I think they _will_ try it!" answered John, with decision, as he smiled sympathetically at a pair of sparrows chirping together at the door of one of the desirable family mansions provided for their use. Here Tip ended the dangerous dialogue by sitting down before Dolly with a howl of despair, which recalled her to her duty. "The poor old thing is tired, and must go in. Good-morning, and many thanks," she said, turning toward the steps, which they would have passed unseen but for the prudent poodle's hint. "Good-by, and a thousand pardons for boring you with my affairs," began John, with a penitent, yet very grateful glance. "By the way, I've been so interested in Jack's affairs that I've forgotten exactly what your advice was to me," she added, pausing on the upper step for a last word. With his hat in his hand and his heart in his eyes, John looked up and answered in a tone that made few words necessary,-- "Don't sell yourself for a home." And Dolly answered back with a sweet, shrewd smile that made him flush guiltily,-- "Don't smother your conscience with a fortune." CHAPTER IV. _APRIL FOOLS._ Tip's constitutionals were taken with praiseworthy regularity about that time, and the poor asthmatic animal was nearly walked off his legs by the vigor with which his little mistress paraded the park at unfashionable hours. A robust young man, who did not look as if he needed early walks, was continually meeting Dolly by accident as it were, till on the fourth _rencontre_ they both burst out laughing, gave up all further subterfuge, and felt that it was vain to struggle against fate. The next time they met, both looked very sober; and John said, watching her face as he spoke,-- "It is all over with me, Miss Dolly. The old man is dead, and my chance is lost for ever." "You look so solemn, I'm afraid he left you something, after all." "Not a penny. All went to various charities, and I have nothing but my salary and these two hands."