“Then, if he is not a stranger, you must know all about him, and whether he is of high or low degree.” “We do know all about him, but nothing at all about his family. He was saved from a ship that was wrecked on our coast, and he was the only one saved, and there was not a mark on him or his clothing to identify him. Mr. Force undertook to provide for him, and placed him with Miss Sybilla Margaretta Bayard, who was herself descended from a great English duke, though no one would ever think so to look at her! Mr. Force also sent Roland to school and afterward to college, and he would have sent him to the Naval Academy, at Annapolis, only he had already used all his influence to get Leonidas entered there, and he could not ask the same favor for Roland. So Roland, being bent upon going to sea, entered the merchant service.” “Ah! I see. But, my child, it seems to me that you have not yet answered the question that I have twice put to you: Do your parents, or guardians, know of the engagement between you and this young man?” “I have only one parent—my mother. My father was lost at sea, before I was born, and left no property and no will, because his ship went down, with everything on board. My mother has some property, and so has Aunt Sukey, and they take care of me,” said Rosemary; and that was all she said at the time. The earl looked at her curiously. Was the child purposely evading his question? No; the grave little face was too true for that thought. “Does your mother or your aunt know of your relations with young—young——” “Roland Bayard?” “Yes.” “Why, I think every one in our neighborhood must know all about it! Because we all know all about our neighbors, and some say that they know more of us than we do of ourselves, and that we know more of them than they do of themselves.” “I think that quite likely. But, do your friends approve of your engagement?” “Not now; but they will when Roland comes into his rights.” “You poor child!” murmured the earl, in a low tone. Then, speaking in a clearer voice, he asked: “Rosemary, would you marry this young man without the approbation of your friends?” “No, never,” she answered, solemnly. “That is right. Now, then, if your friends were to counsel you to accept another suitor whom they approved, would you do so?” “No, never,” replied the child, more emphatically than before. “Then what would you do?” “I would be an old maid, like Aunt Sukey. I never would marry Roland Bayard against the will of my mother and my aunt; nor would I ever marry any one else, even to please them. I would be a maiden lady, like Miss Susannah Grandiere.” “Little true heart! Well, little friend, I will not try, through your guardians, to marry you against your will. Neither, I think, will I marry any one else. And in any case, we shall always be friends, shall we not, little sweet herb?” “Always! And it is so good of you to say so!” exclaimed Rosemary, giving his hand another fond squeeze.