“I see it all,” he said; “your noble, self-sacrificing spirit increases my esteem and affection, and I would not ask you to forsake a duty for my sake; but can you not give me some hope for the future?”
“I do not approve of long engagements,” she said, evasively.
“We need not settle the question of its length at present,” he said, in ardent tones, taking her hand and raising it to his lips; “only let me know that you care for me even a very little, and I shall not despair of winning you at last.”
She did not refuse or withdraw the hand he had taken, nor did she repulse him when he ventured upon more pronounced demonstrations of love.
He drew her hand within his arm and led her to an arbor at the foot of the garden.
There time passed very swiftly, and the moon was already shining in the sky when they returned to the house with faces radiant with happiness, and the captain announced to Mrs. Heath and Ronald, whom they found alone together on the porch, that he and Miriam were plighted to each other for life.
“But I am not going to leave you yet, dear grandmother,” Miriam said, in low, tremulous tones, as the old lady folded her to her heart and wept over her in mingled joy and grief.
“Oh, my darling, I don’t know what we could ever do without you!” she sobbed, holding the dear girl in a close embrace; “and yet I could not for a moment think of standing in the way of your happiness, dear, unselfish child that you are, and have always been!”
“Surely there’s no need of either alternative,” said Ronald, jocosely; “we’ve only to take Warren in and make him a permanent addition to the family—a valuable one he will be, too. So, young folks, I give you my blessing, and gracefully accept the situation.”
“Certainly it would be a delightful arrangement for us, Ronald,” the old lady said. “We are willing to share our dear Miriam with you, Captain Charlton, if you will not rob us of her altogether.”