_Rob._ No! A thousand times no! You know my secret, but you know not me. I do love Gaylie Gifford, and with a hopeless love. The very fortune you taunt me with seeking is a bar to keep me silent. _Rowell._ Then take the farm. I will willingly give it up to purchase your silence. She can never be yours: 'twas her father's wish, that, when she became of age, her hand should be given to another. _Rob._ And that other, yourself. Am I not right, Wilder Rowell? _Rowell._ 'Twas a pretty shrewd guess. _Rob._ It is a lie. He had no such wish. My father was with him when he died. _Rowell_ (_rising_). Lie! this to me? _Rob._ Ay, a lie! You like plain speaking. I know he left her free to choose her own mate, and bade you, as her guardian, to respect her choice. _Rowell._ I am her choice. Already she trusts me, with a confidence that only love can bring; and I, I love her, dearer than all else in the world. _Rob._ Except her fortune. You love her, Wilder Rowell, and she is in your power. Poor Gaylie! You shall not win her. She is too good, too pure, to mate with such as you, an adventurer, a fortune-hunter. _Rowell._ Indeed! Come, we are rivals. I will be magnanimous: you shall have the first chance. Speak, tell her of your love. If she says, Yes, I'm silent. _Rob._ O villain! you know your power. Speak to her, tell her of my love; I a poor soldier, she a rich heiress! She would think me as mercenary as I know you to be. No, no, I cannot: I love her dearly, truly, but must still love on in secret. (_Falls into chair, and buries his face in his hands on table_). _Rowell_ (_rising. Aside_). Honorable to the last! There's no fear of him. (_Aloud._) Think well of it, Trueworth. Take the farm, and make your dear ones comfortable. The prize you covet hangs too high. (_Aside._) Silent! I'll look in on him again (_takes deed_): an hour's reflection may awaken a better spirit. [_Exit door in flat, passing_ MATTIE, _who enters_. _Mattie_ (_going to_ ROB). Why, Rob, what's the matter? _Rob._ Nothing, Mattie: I was only thinking over a plan I have for your future. _Mattie._ Gaylie's back, Rob: I just saw her carriage drive up to the house. [_Down_ R. _Rob._ Indeed! Then I shall see her before I go. Where's mother? (_Enter_ MRS. TRUEWORTH, R.) _Mrs. T._ Here, Rob. What had Mr. Rowell to say to you? _Rob._ Nothing, mother, to benefit us. I must go out, and look about for a new home. Home! home! that's a hard place to find, when the roof that has so long sheltered us is stripped from our heads. _Mrs. T._ Home is where the heart is, Rob; and, while the old love binds us together, we can bid defiance to adversity, beneath the humblest roof.