"Yes," said the other simply; "what you have to do now is to leave her in freedom. The Lord loves you both alike. If He does not give you Mildred, it will be because that marriage would stand in the way of your real advancement."
"Do you really believe that?" Van Tassel regarded her in curiosity and surprise.
"Why, Jack, think it out some time. How can it be any other way?" she answered, speaking hastily, for she heard a rustle on the stairs; and a moment after her voice ceased, Mildred came into the room.
She was dressed in a pale violet gown, which revealed her superb neck, and she pulled long gloves up over her bare arms as she came.
Jack sprang to his feet. How could she help liking the homage in his eyes?
"I know I haven't kept you waiting," she said brightly, "for Mrs. Page's light is still burning, and of course it will take her some little time to wake up Mr. Page."
Hilda's feet, in their little black satin slippers, came flying down the stairs as she spoke.
"Is Robert in a hammock?" she exclaimed apprehensively. "I meant to stick them both full of pins, but I haven't had time. That poor dear man has done a lot to-day, in spite of all my warnings. I expect he will sleep from here to Boston, when we get started. You two girls look perfectly lovely. I shall wake him up with that information."
As they were all finally setting out, Gorham Page came up the walk.
"I thought I would wander down and make sure of you," he said to Clover, as he turned back beside her.