decision and think again.

Mr. Browning turned as white as marble, but his sister was too much
absorbed in her own matters to heed his emotions, and she continued--

"Of course it will be mortifying to us all to have her in the family,
and maybe Ben will get over it; but they must be engaged somehow, or
he'll go away. I'll send her up to you immediately," and she hurriedly
left the room in quest of Rosamond. For a moment Mr. Browning sat like
one stupefied; then, covering his face with his hands, he moaned,
"Must _this_ come upon me, too? Must I, who love her so madly, bid her
marry another? And yet what does it matter? She can never be mine--and
if she marries Ben I can keep them with me always, and that vile woman
will have no cause for annoying me. She said Rosamond loved me, but I
pray Heaven that may not be so."

A light tread echoed in the hall, and with each fall of those little
feet, Ralph Browning's heart throbbed painfully. Another moment and
Rosamond was there with him--her cheeks flushed--her eyelashes wet
with tears, and her whole manner betrayed an unusual degree of
excitement.

"I understand from your sister," said she, "that you wish me to marry
_Ben,_ or leave your house. I will do the latter, but the former--
never! Shall I consider our interview at an end?"

She turned to leave the room, but Mr. Browning caught her dress,
exclaiming: "Stay, Rosamond, and hear me. I never uttered such words
to Mrs. Van Vechten. I do not wish you to marry Ben unless you love
him. Do you love him, Rosamond? Do you love anybody?"