He looked at her sadly, touched by her loyal faith in the mother she had never known. "But think, my dear," he said. "You were but a few days old when she stole away in the night and left you without a line to tell us of her whereabouts. But John's blood was up. He traced her to New York, and learned enough to be sure that she had returned to her lover. Then he lost all trace of them, and came home reluctantly enough, for he would have shot the villain if he could have laid hands on him." "It is a plausible story," the girl said, thoughtfully. "I might believe it if any one but John Glenalvan had told it. But oh, grandpa, that man always reminds me of a snake in the grass." "My child, that is one of old Dinah's homely phrases," he remonstrated. "It is a very true one, though," she maintained, stoutly. He saw that he could not convince her, so he sighed and remained silent. He had never thought of doubting his son's assertion himself. Golden's incredulity awakened a vague sense of uneasiness in his mind. The girl sat silently also for a brief space of time, while the old clock in the corner slowly ticked away the moments of that momentous night. She roused herself from her drooping, dejected attitude at last and looked up at the quiet old man. "Grandpa," she said anxiously, as if some sudden doubt or fear had come into her mind, "what will Bert say when he hears this dreadful story?" "Bert?" said her grandfather, questioningly. "Mr. Chesleigh, I mean," she replied. "What will he say when my story is known to him? Will he, too, hate me for my mother's sin?" A look of pain and dread came over the sad, old face. "My darling, how can I tell?" he said. "I have heard that the Chesleighs are very proud. It is only too likely that he will scorn you when he knows the truth. I am afraid you must give up all thought of loving him, dear." A strange, intense look came over the beautiful young face. "I cannot do that," she said. "I love him with my whole heart! I shall love him all my life. He loves me, too, grandpa. He cannot give me up! He will be true to me. I am not to blame for my mother's fault." "No, dear, I know that," he answered; "but the sins of the parents are visited on the children. It is not likely that Mr. Chesleigh will care to wed a nameless girl. He is wealthy and high-born, and can have his choice from among the best in the land. Your Cousin Elinor aspires to marry him." "He will never marry Elinor," said little Golden, decidedly. "He loves me alone. He will be true to me." "God grant it, dear," her grandfather said, with a patient sigh, in which there was but little hope. Then he looked up and saw the first pale gleams of the summer dawn stealing into the room through the open window. The birds began to warble their mating songs in the broad-leaved magnolia trees outside, as if there were no care nor sorrow, nor blighting disgrace anywhere in the wide, beautiful world.