"So you have heard the news, Gilbert?" he asked, as he approached, seeing our smiling faces. "Yes; Constance has told me, and I wish you joy of your good fortune, for there is no one in the world half so worthy of it, or who would honor it as you will," I answered, kissing his hand. "Then you still think well of me, a lord born and bred, hot republican that you are?" "Yes, and a thousand times more than I ever did before," I answered, remembering his great goodness to me always; "but are all lords like you?" "Yes, only better, though none of them have made the success I have as a tavernkeeper. And about that, what will Appletop do, I wonder, when I am gone?" he added, as if the leaving carried with it some pang of regret. "It will never find anybody to take your place in the tavern or elsewhere, and your going will fill every one with sorrow, for there is not one who does not love you," I answered, thinking of his true heart and gentle kindness all these years. "Ah, Gilbert, you have the making of a fine courtier, it comes so easy for you to say pleasant things," he answered, smiling. "Constance has told you, I suppose, that I must go back to England at once?" he added, caressing her hand. "Yes; and I am both glad and sorry." "You understand that I shall want to take her with me?" "No, not that, surely!" "You wouldn’t have me leave her here, would you?" he asked, smiling. "Yes, if we were married first," I answered. "Why, you have not thought of marrying for a year yet." "I know; but your going changes everything; and why should we put it off longer, if you have no objection?" "I have no objection, but don’t you think it would be better to have it occur in her new home?" "Not unless she wishes it, or you desire it, for this is her home and country, and always will be, I hope," I answered, thinking it best to put the matter squarely. "Well, do as you like, children. It is never wise for old people to meddle too much in such affairs," he added, as if thinking of his own youth. "Only I wish Constance to go with me now, for I have to meet new conditions, and want her by my side. Afterward I will come back with you if only for a month, for this is now my country, Gilbert, as well as hers. Its streams and slumbering depths," he went on, as he looked across the intervening plain to the great river and the dark forest beyond, "belong to all of us without reference to our place of birth. Nature claims this love and kinship from her children everywhere, but in my case there are other ties, as you know. So do not fear, my children, but that I shall return many times in the days to come to visit you in your home, in the country of my adoption."