"St. John, my dear, we must do something," the mother would say, in her helpless way. "We cannot live like this forever." "What shall I do?" would be the son's reply. "The plantation isn't worth working and I have no money with which to buy another place. The niggers are getting so they are not worth their keep." "But you told me yesterday that we had less than a thousand dollars left in the bank." "It's true, too." "What do you propose doing when that is gone?" "Oh! our credit is still good," was the lofty answer. "But that won't last forever, St. John." "Something may turn up." "Everything seems to prosper at Alice's place," went on Mrs. Mary Ruthven, referring to the home of Marion and Jack. "I know that." "And we are continually running behind. St. John, you ought to get after the niggers and other help." "I wasn't cut out for work, mother," was the sour answer. "But we really must do something," was the half-desperate response. "I've got an idea in my head, mother. If it works, we'll be all right." "What is the idea?" "I think a good deal of Marion. Why shouldn't we marry and join the two plantations? That would give us both a good living." "I have thought of such a plan myself, St. John. But there may be an objection." "Do you think Marion would refuse me?" "She might. In some respects Alice's daughter is rather peculiar." "But I don't see why she should refuse me. Am I not her equal in social position?" "What a question! Of course you are. Still she may have her eyes set upon somebody else." "I know of nobody. Marion is still young." "Have you sounded her on the subject?" "Not yet, but I will soon. She has Jack around so much I never get half a chance to talk to her." "Always that boy! When I visited Alice last I declare she talked of that nobody the whole time,--what a wonderful man she hoped he would make,--and all that. Just as if he was her own flesh and blood!" and Mrs. Mary Ruthven tossed her head disdainfully. "She was foolish to allow that nobody to think himself a Ruthven. But I have put a spoke into his wheel, I reckon." "What do you mean? Did you tell Jack the truth?" "Not exactly. But I gave a pretty broad hint to his intimate friend Darcy Gilbert, and Darcy, of course, will carry the news straight to Jack." "Oh, St. John! that may cause trouble. Your aunt wished to keep the truth from the boy as long as possible. She told me she did not wish to hurt his feelings." "He had to learn the truth sooner or later. Besides, I didn't want him to think himself a Ruthven and the equal of Marion and myself," went on St. John loftily. There was a moment of silence and Mrs. Mary Ruthven gave a long sigh. "Well, I would not delay speaking to Marion too long," she observed. "Something must be done, that's sure, and if you wait, Marion and her mother may find out how hard up we really are, and then Marion may refuse you on that account." "I shall see her before long," answered the son.