“Hungerford, it is not only the best that can be done, but it is very good in itself. It is noble and generous on your part, and Mary ought to be happy.” “She cannot be.” “You prejudge the case. She has no claim upon you, but you are treating her like a princess. She will go to New York with her husband, and though she will have her trials, as all must, she will be better off than half the wives in the world. But after all, Hungerford, I propose this method for your sake rather than hers. It will heal your wounds, as well as hers.” “I’m afraid not.” “You are determined to be obstinate; to make your mother and sister unhappy by moping over this thing.” “No, Dick; for their sake, I will be cheerful and happy, if I can.” “You can; you are not a weak-minded man; you can banish the whole thing from your mind if you will.” “I shall try.” “Then you will succeed. There are other women in the world besides Mary--girls as beautiful, as gentle, and as loving.” “They are not Mary.” “No; they are Ellen, and Carrie, and Alice, and Emma. A rose by any other name will smell as sweet. You will find one who will make you a loving and accomplished wife.” “Don’t speak of marriage to me, Dick. I am disgusted,” said Eugene, petulantly. “Just now you are, my dear fellow; but you will get over it, and within the five years now left to accomplish your destiny, you will marry, and at the age of thirty the three millions will drop into your coffers.” “No, Dick; though I may possibly marry, I shall not do it so as to comply with the conditions of my uncle’s will. I have even made up my mind that it would be wrong for me to do so.” “What do you mean, Hungerford? Are you crazy? Has this thing turned your head?” demanded Dick, who, however, had long ago learned not to be surprised at anything his friend should do. “I am sane and reasonable, Dick. Look at it a moment. If I comply with the conditions of the will, so far as I can do so, and if Providence should bless me with a son, so that the three millions would be legally mine, what would be the result?” “The three millions would be the result, of course,” laughed Dick. “What else?” “Anything else you please; it will depend upon how you use your money.” “By the conditions of the will, the three millions are to be divided into six equal parts, if I have no son. One part would be mine, which is all-sufficient for me. I ask for no more. I confess, if I was to be left a poor man by it, I should not be so likely to entertain my present views.” “But the three millions were intended for you upon certain conditions, and you ought to have the money.” “If I have the three millions, I shall cheat my sister out of half a million.” “By no means: you can give her the half million if you choose.” For some reason or other Dick seemed to be embarrassed when he had said this, as though a selfish consideration was intruding itself upon him. “But she is satisfied; and I hope you will not do it.”