"Berk," said Linda when they had gone back to the seat by the window, "they told me you had a sweetheart in the city. Bertie Bryan vowed you acknowledged it to her." He took her hands and kissed them. "So I may have done, my queen, but it was when you were there." Linda sighed, a happy satisfied sigh. "Berk, dear, were you very unhappy, then? You didn't have to be, you see." "I thought it was necessary, and perhaps I needed the discipline." "Just as I have needed the discipline of teaching. I am realizing by degrees what a wonderful life work it might become." "But you shall not teach long, though, Linda darling, I haven't told you that we shall have to begin life rather simply, for you know I must always think of my mother." "Berk, dear, I couldn't be happy if I thought you ever would do less than you do now for her." "You are so wonderful, so wonderful," he murmured. "I hope to do better and better in my profession, for I am much encouraged, and some day, remember I shall buy back Talbot's Angles for you." "You will never do that, Berk," returned Linda, trying to look very grave. "Why, sweet?" "Because when Grace marries it will be mine without any question. We have had a letter from Judge Goldsborough." "And he said--" "That he had discovered papers which prove that Cyrus Talbot had only a lease on the place; it was for ninety-nine years, and it expired more than ten years ago." "Of all things!" ejaculated Berkley. "That was the last explanation that would have occurred to me. Did Jeffreys know before he left?" "Yes, we told him that afternoon he called to say good-by. Aunt Ri thought it was best to tell him, and to show him the judge's letter." "Poor old chap! And he had to go without even the recompense of having made a sacrifice for you." Linda's face clouded. "Yes, he said that everything had failed, even his attempted good deeds. I hope he will find happiness some day." "And you are very glad that you can feel an undisputed ownership of the old home?" "Yes, of course I am glad. Aren't you?" "What is your happiness is mine, beloved Verlinda." "The only drop of bitterness comes from the thought of Wyatt Jeffreys, but even there Aunt Ri insists his unhappiness will not last and that comforts me." "Who is talking about Aunt Ri?" asked that lady coming in and throwing aside her hat. "Parthy has a brood of thirteen young chickens just out, and I have been down to see them. What were you two saying about me? Hallo, Berk, what has brought you here, I'd like to know? I thought you were so busy you could scarcely breathe." "Oh, I'm taking an afternoon off," he responded. "A man can't be a mere machine such weather as this." "I've been telling him about the judge's letter," put in Linda. "And I reckon that was a mighty big surprise; it certainly was to us. It took a better lawyer than you, Berk Matthews, to unravel that snarl. Even the judge himself didn't remember the facts." "Which were?"