"No wonder," echoed Loftus.
He had the grace to blush.
"Yes, I am in love," he said. "No one was ever more madly in love than I am." Then after a pause he added: "And I think Beatrice, without exception, the noblest and best woman on earth."
"That is right, my boy. Ah, Loftus, I am glad I could do one thing for you. I have got you a wife whose price is above rubies."
Bertram laughed.
"You have made a feeble joke, mother," he said in some confusion. "I should like to know to which you allude—Bee's money or her personal charms."
"Both—both—you naughty boy Beatrice is all that could be desired in herself, but in what position should you and I be in the future without her money?"
"That is true," he said. And there was compunction in his voice.
On Monday morning two letters arrived at Northbury from the Rector. One was to his housekeeper, the other to Beatrice.
To his housekeeper, Mrs. Matthews, he said: