“Mother,” Scott said, as he stepped to Zula’s side, 330 “I want to ask you a question. I asked Miss Elsworth one day if she would be my wife. She would not consent until she had told me the story of her life. I loved ‘Auralia’ before I ever saw her, and I loved Miss Elsworth. I pitied the child Zula, and Paul I could not live without. Since they are all one, are you willing that I should repeat the request, and if she consents can you love her with a mother’s love?”
“Oh, Scott,” said Mrs. Wilmer, with tearful eyes, “I am not worthy the love of such a daughter.”
Scott raised Zula’s hand, and clasping it firmly, said:
“Zula, I said once that I could not live without Paul, and when he came back I should take him into partnership. What do you think of the offer?”
“I think that if you and your partner can agree as well as you and your valet that as a firm you will prosper.”
“Heaven bless you, my children,” said Mrs. Wilmer, fervently. “Be happy in the love of each other.”
“Zula, my dear sister, and also my brave Paul,” said June, smiling, “I am so glad that Scott is happy. I know that I do not need to say, treat him kindly, for you cannot fail to know the true character of each other.”
“Zula, do you give your full consent?” Scott asked.
“I will refer you to my uncle,” said Zula, looking at Le Moyne, “as he is my only relative.”
“I suppose I must consent,” said Le Moyne, “for it was through Lawyer Wilmer’s management that I found you.”