“I am going to Washington, and will safely deliver any message you feel disposed to send to your admirer, Mr. Chesley.”

She glanced inquiringly at him.

“I hope you reciprocate his regard, for he expressed great interest in your welfare.”

“I liked him exceedingly; better than any gentleman I ever met, except dear Mr. Hargrove.”

“A very comprehensive admission, and eminently flattering to poor Elliott and ‘Brother’ Douglass.”

“Mr. Chesley is a very noble-looking old man, and seemed to me worthy of admiration and confidence.  He did not impress me as a stranger, but rather as a dear friend.”

“Doubtless I shall find the chances all against me, when you are requested to decide between us.”

A perplexed expression crossed the face she raised toward him.

“I am not as quick as Mrs. Carew in solving enigmas.”

“_ A propos!_ what do you think of my charming fair client?”

Her heart quickened its pulsations, but the clear sweet voice was quiet and steady.

“I think her exceedingly beautiful and graceful.”

“When I am as successful in her suit as in the great case I won to-day, I shall expect you to offer me very sincere congratulations.”

He smiled pleasantly, as he looked at her pure face, which bad never seemed so surpassingly lovely as just then, with white hyacinths nestling in and perfuming her hair.

“I shall not be here then; but, Mr. Palma, wherever I am, I shall always congratulate you upon whatever conduces to your happiness.”

“Then I may consider that you have already decided in favour of Mr. Chesley?”

“Mr. Palma, I do not quite understand your jest”

“Pardon me, it threatens to become serious.  Mr. Chesley is immensely wealthy, and having no near relatives desires to adopt some pretty, well-bred, affectionate-natured girl, who can take care of and cheer his old age; and to whom he can bequeath his name and fortune.  His covetous eye has fallen upon my ward, and he seriously contemplates making some grave proposals to your mother, relative to transferring you to Washington, and thence to San Francisco.  As Mr. Chesley’s heiress, your future will be very brilliant, and I presume that in a voluntary choice of guardians, I am destined to lose my ward.”

“Very soon my mother will be my guardian, and Mr. Chesley is certainly a gentleman of too much good sense and discretion to entertain such a thought relative to a stranger, of whom he knows absolutely nothing.  A few polite kindly worded phrases bear no such serious interpretation.”

She had bent so persistently over her book, that he closed and removed it beyond her reach, forcing her to regard him; for after the toil, contention, and brain-wrestling of the courtroom, it was his reward just now to look into her deep calm eyes, and watch the expressions vary in her untutored ingenuous countenance.