things oflife. They were still poorly clad, their faces were thin, and in eachpair of eyes anxiety was not dead, but only lulled to sleep.
Notwithstanding this, however, these two--the brother who had fallen avictim to temptation, and the little new sister who had loved him andsuffered for his sake--were to me more interesting, more powerful tomove me, more capable of filling my heart with rejoicing, than were anyother people in the room.
As to Cousin Tom--it is very strange, but I scarcely thought of CousinTom during that jovial meal. He was there--he was one of us; he was amost important factor in all the happiness; without him there would havebeen no happiness, no delightful sunshine of prosperity.
It seemed to me, however, as I shared the merry meal, and saw the facesof my own people looking their best and brightest, either that there wasno room for Cousin Tom in my heart, or that his footing in it was sowell-established that he was part of me already. I have thought of thathappy evening often since, and I am quite sure now that the reason Igave so little separate thought to my cousin was, because I knew him sowell.
After supper my father, George, Hetty, and Jack went off to explore thehouse. George was very polite to his new sister Hetty, and my fatherwas glad to renew his intercourse with Jack.
"You will come with us, won't you, Valentine?" asked George of mycousin.
"I will follow you in a few moments," he answered.
George went away, and Tom and I were alone. He came up to me at once.
"I wish you quite to understand," he said, speaking in a very composedand guarded sort of fashion, "that I don't intend to take advantage ofanything you may say on impulse. I love you; I loved you before I knewa word of that strange will of our old kinsman's. The first day I sawyou I felt that you were different from other women. Well, that is all.I think you believe me. I don't want to say anything more on thismatter at present. If Cousin Geoffrey had not made his queer will, Ishould have pressed my suit. As it is, I cannot.
"What I want to tell you now, however, is this, that you are absolutelyfree to choose your own time to marry me. There is to be no hurry, andno constraint is to be put upon you. I understand from Gray that youhave yielded to the conditions of our cousin's will for your mother'ssake. Gray is a right good fellow, and he appreciates your spirit ofself-sacrifice. He has made it possible for us two to delay ourmarriage, and yet for your mother and your people not to suffer."
"I know," I answered, "I know. Mr Gray told me himself. But I--Idon't wish that."
"You don't wish to delay our marriage?"
"No; come up-stairs and see mother."
I took his hand before he could prevent me. I ran up the wide stairsholding it. Still clasping it in mine, I entered my mother's room.
She looked up at the sound of our feet. Her eyes rested on our faces--Cousin Tom's pale, mine flushed. Then the pink glow deepened on hercheeks. She held out her hands to us both.
"Come," I said to my cousin. He followed me, and my mother laid herlittle hand in his.
"Mother," I said, "this is my cousin, Tom Valentine; we are going tomarry each other."
"My dear Rose, my child!"
"There is no hurry," murmured Tom.
"There is every hurry," I repeated; "we--we love each other."
"Rosamund!" interrupted my cousin.
"We love each other," I continued, steadily, "as much as any two peoplecould. There is no reason why we should delay our marriage."
"As that is the case, there is no reason what ever," Tom Valentine saidnow. And he put his arm quite boldly round my waist.
I think my mother said something more, but I am not quite sure. Thequeerest thing happened at that moment; the queerest, mostincomprehensible thing. I had forgotten Cousin Tom down-stairs becausemy father and brothers and sister were present. Now up-stairs I forgotmy mother, who had hitherto been the first being in the world to me,because Cousin Tom was by; because I suddenly knew that my heart washis, my life his, my future his; because I realised that if every otherpart of Cousin Geoffrey's will crumbled into dust and ceased to bind me,the clause which gave me to Tom Valentine would remain in force, and bethe sweetest and dearest of all bonds to me.
Cousin Tom's arm held me still firmer to his side. I turned and laid myhead on his shoulder.
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The End.
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