estate was found to have been absorbed in costs.

We hurried away, first to my guardian, and then to Ada and Richard.

Richard was lying on the sofa with his eyes closed when I went in. When
he opened them, I fully saw, for the first time, how worn he was. But he
spoke cheerfully, and said how glad he was to think of our intended
marriage.

In the evening my guardian came in and laid his hand softly on
Richard's.

"Oh, sir," said Richard, "you are a good man, a good man!" and burst
into tears.

My guardian sat down beside him, keeping his hand on Richard's.

"My dear Rick," he said, "the clouds have cleared away, and it is bright
now. We can see now. And how are you, my dear boy?"

"I am very weak, sir, but I hope I shall be stronger. I have to begin
the world."

He sought to raise himself a little.

"Ada, my darling!" Allan raised him, so that she could hold him on her
bosom. "I have done you many wrongs, my own. I have married you to
poverty and trouble, I have scattered your means to the winds. You will
forgive me all this, my Ada, before I begin the world?"