"Yes; she wrote to congratulate me, and gave me an invitation forthwith to go and see her."
"And you did not do so?"
"Why should I? Prosperity brings many friends, and then it is one least cares about them."
Greta looked pained at the bitterness of tone.
"She is your mother," she said, softly; and seeing it was a painful subject she turned to talk of other things.
A short time after, Rufus was walking homeward with knitted brows and determined, closed lips. Yet a softened smile came over his face as he entered his own gate, and he muttered under his breath, "My little Greta! I will win her and no other!"
[CHAPTER V]
HIS STORY FINISHED
IT was not long before Rufus called upon Mrs. Warren, who was a gentle, fragile old lady, and reminded him much of Greta's mother. She assured him he would always be welcome at her house, and he was soon a constant visitor there.
"Greta is a capital nurse," Mrs. Warren said to him one day. "She makes me more comfortable than any one else, and I fear I am selfish in keeping her from London gaiety, but I do not think it will be for very long."