“My dear fellow,” said Richard, “Barbara loved me when I was a bookbinder, and promised to marry me thinking me base-born. I am sorry, but there is no blame to either of us. I had my bad time then, and your good time is, I trust, coming. I did nothing to bring about the change. I did think once whether I had not better leave all to you, and keep to my trade; but I saw that I had no right to do so, because duties attended the property which I was better able for than you.” “I believe every word you say, Richard! You are nobler than I.” CHAPTER LXVI. _BARBARA'S DREAM_. Mr. Wylder could not well object to sir Richard Lestrange on the ground that his daughter had loved him before she or her father knew his position the same he was coveting for her; and within two months they were married. Lady Ann was invited but did not go to the wedding; Arthur, Theodora, and Victoria did; Percy was not invited. Neither bride nor bridegroom seeing any sense in setting out on a journey the moment they were free to be at home together, they went straight from the church to Mortgrange. When they entered the hall which had so moved Richard's admiration the first time he saw it, he stood for a moment lost in thought. When he came to himself, Barbara had left him; but ere he had time to wonder, such a burst of organ music filled the place as might have welcomed one that had overcome the world. He stood entranced for a minute, then hastened to the gallery, where he found Barbara at the instrument. “What!” he cried in astonishment; “you, Barbara! you play like that!” “I wanted to be worth something to you, Richard.” “Oh Barbara, you are a queen at giving! I was well named, for you were coming! I _am_ Richard indeed!--oh, so rich!” In the evening they went out into the park. The moon was rising. The sunlight was not quite gone. Her light mingled with the light that gave it her. “Do you know that lovely passage in the Book of Baruch?” asked Richard. “What book is that?” returned Barbara. “It can't be in the Bible, surely?” “It is in the Apocrypha--which is to me very much in the Bible! I think I can repeat it. I haven't a good memory, but some things stick fast.” But in the process of recalling it, Richard's thoughts wandered, and Baruch was forgotten.