it. And I may tell you that we old men, who have no children of our own,
feel our hearts growing warm when we hear words like those."

Then Adam hurried on, speaking with a rush, as if he wanted to come to
the crucial point.

"Mr. Watford had not come in, but Lilla and Mimi were at home, and they
made me feel very welcome. They have all a great regard for my uncle. I
am glad of that any way, for I like them all--much. We were having tea,
when Mr. Caswall came to the door, attended by the negro. Lilla opened
the door herself. The window of the living-room at the farm is a large
one, and from within you cannot help seeing anyone coming. Mr. Caswall
said he had ventured to call, as he wished to make the acquaintance of
all his tenants, in a less formal way, and more individually, than had
been possible to him on the previous day. The girls made him
welcome--they are very sweet girls those, sir; someone will be very happy
some day there--with either of them."

"And that man may be you, Adam," said Mr. Salton heartily.

A sad look came over the young man's eyes, and the fire his uncle had
seen there died out. Likewise the timbre left his voice, making it sound
lonely.

"Such might crown my life. But that happiness, I fear, is not for me--or
not without pain and loss and woe."

"Well, it's early days yet!" cried Sir Nathaniel heartily.

The young man turned on him his eyes, which had now grown excessively