"Like to look at you--like to look at you? Why, of course we all like
to look at you. You are very fine and handsome and interesting."

"Richard," she said, drawing her hands away, "is that why you like to
look at me?"

He had recovered himself. He laughed in his old hearty way, and said:

"Yes, yes; why, of course! Come, let us go and see the boy," he added,
taking her arm and hurrying her down the steps. "Come and let us see
Richard Joseph, the pride of all the Armours."

She moved beside him in a kind of dream. She had learned much since she
came to Greyhope, and yet she could not at that moment have told exactly
why she asked Richard the question that had confused him, nor did she
know quite what lay behind the question. But every problem which has
life works itself out to its appointed end, if fumbling human fingers do
not meddle with it. Half the miseries of this world are caused by
forcing issues, in every problem of the affections, the emotions, and the
soul. There is a law working with which there should be no tampering,
lest in foolish interruption come only confusion and disaster. Against
every such question there should be written the one word, "Wait."

Richard Armour stooped over the child. "A beauty," he said, "a perfect
little gentleman. Like Richard Joseph Armour there is none," he added.

"Whom do you think he looks like, Richard?" she asked. This was a
question she had never asked before since the child was born. Whom the
child looked like every one knew; but within the past year and a half