"And my brother, he is so cold, so unforgiving."
"Is he? then I'll take you away to a warmer climate. But don't believe it; he's proud as a race-horse, but you'll find him a trump in the end."
"Don't go yet, Tom, I am afraid they will—"
"No, they wont," cried Tom, and away he went into Elizabeth's sitting-room, with tears sparkling in his eyes and a generous flush on his face.
"Mellen," he said, wringing Grantley's hand, "I want to be married to-morrow, and carry her away."
"Fuller, what is the meaning of this?" demanded Mellen, pained and surprised, while Elizabeth stood up aghast at this sudden outburst.
"It means just this, Mellen, I don't care a tin whistle for what has gone before, and I feel strong enough to take care of anything that may come after. Your sister loves me, and I love her, that's enough. I am satisfied, and—there—that's enough. The whole thing is a family secret, and who is going to be the wiser. I only hope they have dug the fellow's grave deep enough, that's all."
"But, Fuller, have you reflected?"
"Reflected! I've done nothing else for a week, and this is just what it has brought me to. So give us your hand."
Elizabeth came up to Tom, put her arms around his neck, and burst into tears.