Farnham millions.  There was a grain of good sense in this reasoning, founded as it was upon her knowledge of Arthur’s good qualities; for upon a man who is neither a sot nor a gambler the possession of great wealth almost always exercises a sobering and educating influence.  So, whenever Mrs. Belding was in doubt in any matter of money, she asked Arthur to dine with her, and settle the vexing questions somewhere between the soup and the coffee.  It was a neighborly service, freely asked and willingly rendered.

As Farnham entered the widow’s cosey library, he saw a lady sitting by the fire whom he took to be Mrs. Belding; but as she rose and made a step toward him, he discovered that she was not in mourning.  The quick twilight was thickening into night, and the rich glow of the naming coal in the grate, deepening the shadows in the room, while it prevented him from distinguishing the features of her face, showed him a large full form with a grace of movement which had something even of majesty in it.

“I see you have forgotten me,” said a voice as rich and full as the form from which it came.  “I am Alice Belding.”

“Of course you are, and you have grown as big and beautiful as you threatened to,” said Farnham, taking both the young girl’s hands in his, and turning until she faced the fire-light.  It was certainly a bonny face which the red light shone upon, and quite uncommon in its beauty.  The outline was very pure and noble; the eyes were dark-brown and the hair was of tawny gold, but the complexion was of that clear and healthy pallor so rarely met with among blonde women.  The finest thing about her face was its expression of perfect serenity.  Even now, as she stood looking at Farnham, with her hands in his, her cheek flushed a little with the evident pleasure of the meeting, she received his gaze of unchecked admiration with a smile as quiet and unabashed as that of a mother greeting a child.

“Well, well!” said Farnham, as they seated themselves, “how long has it taken you to grow to that stature?  When did I see you last?”

“Two years ago,” she answered, in that rich and gentle tone which was a delight to the ear.  “I was at home last summer, but you were away—­in Germany, I think.”

“Yes, and we looked for you in vain at Christmases and Thanksgivings.”

“Mamma came so often to New York that there seemed no real necessity of my coming home until I came for good.  I had so much to learn, you know.  I was quite old and very ignorant when I started away.”

“And you have come back quite young and very learned, I dare say.”

She laughed a little, and her clear and quiet laugh was as pleasant as her speech.

Mrs. Belding came in with gliding footsteps and cap-strings gently fluttering.

“Why, you are all in the dark!  Arthur, will you please light that burner nearest you?”

In the bright light Miss Alice looked prettier than ever; the jet of gas above her tinged her crisp hair with a lustre of twisted gold wire and threw tangled shadows upon her low smooth forehead.