There was emotion in Harold’s voice also as he answered:
“My dear brother, don’t forget that it was not so much your son as my own dear little nephew I was working to save. Thank you heartily for your desire to reward me with a liberal fee, but I feel that I can well afford to use all the knowledge, strength and skill I possess for the benefit of my dear ones without any payment in ‘filthy lucre;’ but, my dear brother, there is one reward you could give me which I should be far from despising—which I should value more than a mint of money, or any amount of stocks, bonds or estate.”
He paused, and after a moment’s silence the captain spoke:
“You mean my daughter Grace? Surely, you forget that I long ago consented to the match.”
“If I would serve for her as Jacob did for Rachel; but I want her now, and if you will give her to me directly I will watch over her with all the care and solicitude of both a devoted husband and physician; and I think you will find that marriage will not break down her health. Has not that improved under my care? and may we not hope to see still greater improvement when she is my dear devoted wife?—for she does love me, unworthy as I am.”
The captain sat for a moment apparently in deep thought. Then he said:
“Being of the medical profession, you ought to know better than I what will be likely or unlikely to injure her health. I believe you to be thoroughly honest and true, Harold, and if such is your opinion, and you are willing to live here in this house for at least the first year, and afterward in one that I shall build for you and her on this estate, you may have her in a few months. You know, she will want a little time for the preparation of her trousseau,” he added with a smile.
“Thank you, captain, thank you with all my heart!” exclaimed Harold, his face aglow with happiness.
At that moment Grace’s voice was heard speaking to some one in the hall without.
The captain stepped to the door and opened it.