have to give up this beautiful home?"

"That possibility faces me every day, Phyllis. When Antony marries,
he will, of course, bring his wife here, and she will be mistress.
I might, for father's sake, take a lower place, but it would be hard.
Father did not marry until his three sisters were settled, but Antony
lives in another generation. I can hardly hope he will be so
thoughtful."

"Do you fear that uncle will object to your marriage with Richard?"

"No; he is very fond of Richard, and very proud of him. Yesterday he
made me notice now strongly Richard resembled Colonel Alfred Hallam,
who was the cavalier hero of our family. And the likeness is
wonderful."

"Has money any thing to do with it?"

"Nothing."

"Parting with Richard?"

"I think so--the feeling is one of a fear of long or final separation--
a shadow like an abyss which neither my love nor my hope can cross.
I find that I cannot follow out any dream or plan which includes
Richard; my soul stumbles in all such efforts as if it was blind. Now
is there any promise for an uncertain condition like this?"

"Yes, dear, there is a promise with a blessing added to it. 'I will
bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths