Why one so strong-minded as Julia should weep at such a time is a mystery. The heart is mightier than the brain. Julia and Dick were late at breakfast that morning. Both of them looked as though something had happened. That forenoon Julia told her mother and Mary of her engagement. That afternoon Mary told her husband of it. Dr. Lynch heard of it within a week. He used some expletives in the solitude of his office; but he was prudent in the presence of the people. The marriage was to take place in November. “Julia,” said Eugene Hungerford, as he met her alone one morning after the day had been fixed, “this package belongs to you.” “What is it?” she asked, with some astonishment. “Certificates of stock, treasury notes, and a check, to the amount of one hundred thousand dollars.” “Then it is not mine.” “It is.” “Please to explain.” “You are to be married in November.” “All the world knows it by this time.” “What are your plans? Dick is a poor man. I have never been able to make him accept more than his salary of five thousand a year.” “We shall not suffer on that. I have twenty thousand dollars of my own.” “Dick has to support his invalid father and his family.” “So much the better.” “Have you any plans?” “We have.” “What are they?” “Dick thinks of building a small house, in which his income will keep us very comfortably and pleasantly.” “That is all very pretty; but I shall build a house like mine for you in the spring.” “That would be very pretty! Dick could not support that style of living.” “Julia, I have never intended that you should suffer by my marriage. The half million mentioned in uncle John’s will shall be yours. It will not be convenient for you to wait till I am thirty years of age. Here is the first instalment of your portion.” “I object, Eugene.” “Why?” “I am too proud to receive a gift.” “Why didn’t you decline uncle John’s legacy of twenty thousand, then?” laughed he. “That was different.” “Just the same. The half million comes from uncle John.” “Dick will not consent.” “It is none of his business. I give you the half million to-day. Here is one fifth of it. I will give you my note for the balance.” Eugene was the most powerful personage at Pine Hill, and Julia could not prevail against him. Dick attempted to protest when he was told of what had been done. He talked about feeling mean; about being the “victim” of charity; but Eugene proved to be the better logician. “Dick,” said he, “Julia has been accustomed to our style of living at Pine Hill, and it would be cruel to deprive her of the luxuries and comforts which she knows so well how to use.” “Then it is cruel in me to ask her to be my wife.” “Marriage is absolutely necessary to both of you, and has been from the beginning, in my opinion. Dick, you are trying to be a tyrant towards Julia or me.” “No!”