“Yes,” said he; “I know that. But I know, too, that there is one among them who need never figure on getting any alimony out of me. If I ever get the iron grasp of the law on that heiress, I can assure you that only her death or mine will ever loosen its fangs.” “How fierce you are!” said Mrs. Rosscott. “Why do you get so worked up?” “Oh,” he exclaimed, with something approaching a groan, “I don’t mean to be—but I do care so much! And sometimes—” he caught her quickly in his arms, drew her within their strong embrace, and kissed her passionately upon the lips that had been tantalizing him for five interminable months. He was almost frightened the next second by her stillness. “Don’t be angry,” he pleaded. “I’m not,” she murmured, resting very quietly with her cheek against his heart. “But you’ll have to marry me now. My other husband did, you know.” “Marry you!” he exclaimed. “Next week? To-morrow? This afternoon? You need only say when—” “Oh, not for years and years,” she said, interrupting him. “You mustn’t dream of such a thing for years and years!” “For years and years!” he cried in astonishment. “That’s what I said,” she told him. He released her in his surprise and stared hard at her. And then he seized her again and kissed her soundly. “You don’t mean it!” he declared. “I do mean it!” she declared. And then she shook her head in a very sweet but painfully resolute manner. “I won’t be called a cradle-robber,” she said, firmly; and at that her companion swore mildly but fervently. “You’re so young,” she said further; “and not a bit settled,” she added. “But you’re young, too,” he reminded her. “I’m older than you are,” she said. “I suppose that you aren’t any more settled than I am, and that’s why you hesitate,” he said grimly. “Now that’s unworthy of you,” she cried; “and I have a good mind—” But the direful words were never spoken, for she was in his arms again—close in his arms; and, as he kissed her with a delicious sensation that it was all too good to be true, he whispered, laughing: “I always meant to lord it over my wife, so I’ll begin by saying: ‘Have it your own way, as long as I have you.’” Mrs. Rosscott laid her cheek back against his coat lapel, and looked up into his eyes with the sweetest smile that even he had ever seen upon even her face. “It’s a bargain,” she murmured. Chapter Twenty-One The Peace and Quiet of the Country Along in the beginning of the fall Aunt Mary began suddenly to grow very feeble indeed. After the first week or two it became apparent that she would have to be quiet and very prudent for some time, and it was when this information was imparted to her that the family discovered that she had been intending to go to New York for the Horse-Show. “She’s awful mad,” Lucinda said to Joshua. “The doctor says she’ll have to stay in bed.” “She won’t stay in bed long,” said Joshua. “The doctor says if she don’t stay in bed she’ll die,” said Lucinda. “She won’t die,” said Joshua.