A flush suffused Doctor Wadsworth’s face for an instant, and he answered: 

“Well, I’ll admit that is not at all objectionable; but really, now that I know May Brownson, I would not be willing to resign her to another man, even if she had not a dollar in the world.”

There was an expression about Harry Bennett’s mouth that looked as if his lips wanted to say:  “I don’t believe you”—­only they did not just dare to.  Harry Bennett was as much in love as he could be with any one other than himself, still he was not going to leap without looking.  So, after learning a little more than he had already heard from Margaret, he was called, very urgently, to the city.  After an absence of only two days he was back again, and stated to Doctor Wadsworth his knowledge of Mark Brownson’s possessions.  That evening Mrs. Brownson received proposals for both of her daughters.

She must consider the matter, and consult with her friends, the prudent mother thought and said to the anxious suitors.

This made them each more determined to secure the prize.

“Dear May, plead with your mother for me!” said the ardent young doctor.

“Mamma will consent after a while,” answered the gentle girl.

“After a while!  Why not now?  I am going away next month for a long time.  I cannot leave you, May.  Would you wish me to?”

May turned pale at the thought, and raised her pleading eyes to her mother.

It was enough.  Doctor Wadsworth had used the surest weapon.  A separation was dreaded by both mother and daughter, and each for different reasons.  And then it was an easier thing for Harry Bennett to obtain the mother’s consent, to claim his love at the same time.

Mrs. Brownson, after giving her consent, requested a private interview with her prospective sons-in-law.  The girls were sent from the room, and then Mrs. Brownson said: 

“I have thought possibly, gentlemen, that a very foolish rumor may have reached your ears respecting the wealth possessed by my daughters, and that—­excuse me, but I must allude to it—­this may in a measure have influenced your selecting them from the many young girls here—­”

“Oh, madam!” both men exclaimed simultaneously.

“If I tell you they have nothing but their pure hearts and loving natures, will you not be disappointed?”

“No, madam.  How can you judge me so?” exclaimed both.

“I am glad it is so.  I would not have you marry my daughters under false impressions.”

“When May is mine, I shall think I have secured the most valuable fortune any man can have,” said the doctor, with a really honest look in his eyes.

“When Maud is mine, I shall know I have secured all I would wish,” added Harry Bennett, with rather a sly twinkle in his eyes.

And so it was agreed that they should be united there, and after a very private wedding leave for an extensive bridal tour.