to you on this subject before, Miles, because I wished first to give you a husband’s just control over me and mine, in giving you my hand; but, now, I may and will suggest what has been passing in my mind on this subject.  Riversedge”—­so was Mrs. Bradfort’s country-house called—­“is a good residence, and is sufficiently well furnished for any respectable family.  Rupert and Emily must live somewhere, and I feel certain it cannot long be in Broadway.  Now, I have thought I would reserve Riversedge for their future use.  They can take it immediately, as a summer residence; for I prize one hour passed here more than twenty-four hours passed there.”

“What, rebel!—­Even should I choose to dwell in your West-Chester house?”

“You will be here, Miles; and it is on your account that Clawbonny is so dear to me.  The place is yours,—­I am yours,—­and all your possessions should go together.”

“Thank you, dearest.  But will Rupert be able to keep up a town and country house’!”

“The first, not long, for a certainty; how long, you know better than I. When I have been your wife half-a-dozen years, perhaps you will think me worthy of knowing the secret of the money he actually has.”

This was said pleasantly; but it was not said without anxiety.  I reflected on the conditions of my secresy.  Grace wished to keep the facts from Lucy, lest the noble-hearted sister should awaken a feeling in the brother that might prevent her bequest from being carried into effect.  Then, she did not think Lucy would ever become my wife, and circumstances were changed, while there was no longer a reason for concealing the truth from the present applicant, at least.  I communicated all that had passed on the subject to my-deeply-interested listener.  Lucy received the facts with sorrow, though they were no more than she had expected to learn.

“I should be covered with shame, were I to hear this from any other than you, Miles,” she answered, after a thoughtful pause; “but I know your nature too well, not to feel certain that the sacrifice scarce cost you a thought, and that you regretted Rupert’s self-forgetfulness more than the loss of the money.  I confess this revelation has changed all my plans for the future, so far as they were connected with my brother.”

“In what manner, dearest?  Let nothing that has happened to me influence your decisions.”

“In so much as it affects my views of Rupert’s character, it must, Miles.  I had intended to divide Mrs. Bradford’s fortune equally with my brother.  Had I married any man but you, I should have made this a condition of our union; but you I know so well, and so well know I could trust, that I have found a deep satisfaction in placing myself, as it might be, in your power.  I know that all my personal property is already yours, without reserve, and that I can make no disposition of the real, even after I come of age, without your consent.  But I had that faith in you, as to believe you would let me do as I pleased.”