“Yes.  I should not have presumed to suggest anything of the kind at such a time,” returned the young baronet, gravely.  “But he thinks that his mind would be easier if he could see you my wife.  He wishes to give you away irrevocably while he is able.  Then, dear, I could be with you all the time to help you in your care of him, to relieve you of much that would encroach upon your strength.  Tell me freely, Virgie, shall it or shall it not be?”

“Do you really wish it? or—­are you only yielding to his desire?” she asked, in a low voice.

He gathered her closer to his breast until she could feel the eager throbbing of his great heart.

“The day that makes you my wife will be the most blessed of all my life; though, for your sake.  I could wish our bridal to be celebrated under less sorrowful circumstances Still it must not be as I wish.  You must decide the question,” he said, gravely.

There was a long pause.  Then Virgie said, quietly: 

“I am willing.”

“Is that all, love?  Are you simply willing to do as your father requests?  Shall you not be glad to be my wife?” Sin William questioned, with a slight accent of pain.

“Yes, Will, I shall be glad; but, oh, my father! my father!” she cried, with a fresh burst of grief, as she realized all that this hurried marriage meant.

He kissed her forehead softly, and breathed: 

“Heaven bless you, my beloved, and help me to make your future as happy as you have made me to-day.”

He made her lie down upon the lounge, for she was nearly exhausted with her grief.  He arranged her pillow, drew down the curtains to soften the light, and then went quietly out of the room.

When he came back an hour later he found her calm, though with a saddened gravity upon her that made his heart ache.

He told her that Dr. Waters had gone back to Virginia City, but that they had arranged for a clergyman to come to them to spend the following Sabbath, when Mr. Abbot desired the marriage to take place.

Virgie was strangely thrilled by this intelligence.  It was Tuesday, and in five days more she would be Sir William Heath’s wife!  It all seemed like a dream to her.

On Saturday afternoon an elderly and venerable-appearing gentleman made his appearance before Mr. Abbots door.

He came in a strong mountain wagon drawn by a pair of handsome horses, and with him there was a large trunk—­which Sir William ordered carried up stairs into Virgie’s room—­and two or three hampers, that were given to Chi Lu to be taken care of.

Virgie turned a wondering, inquiring look upon her lover at these proceedings, but he only answered by a quiet smile, and then introduced her to the Rev. Dr. Thornton.

The young bride-elect received him with the charming ease and self-possession that was natural to her, at which the stranger could not refrain from regarding her with a look of mingled wonder and admiration.