"How could anything so old be born so young!"

"He will look younger as he gets older," I replied. "And he will not
be the first bachelor to do that. At present this youngster is an
invaluable human document in too large an envelope; that's all."

Georgiana, with a swift, protecting movement, leaned nearer to the
child, and spoke to him:

"It's your house; tell him to leave the room for his impertinence."

"He may have the house, since it's his," I replied. "But there is one
thing I'll not stand; if he ever comes between me and you, he'll have
to go; I'll present him to Mrs. Walters."

I was not aware of the expression with which I stood looking down upon
my son, but Georgiana must have noticed it.

"And what if he supplants me some day?" she asked, suddenly serious,
and with an old fear reviving.

"Oh, Georgiana!" I cried, kneeling by the bedside and putting my arms
around her, "you know that as long as we are in this world I am your
lover."

"No longer?" she whispered, drawing me closer.

"Through eternity!"