"Bert?" said her grandfather, questioningly.
"Mr. Chesleigh, I mean," she replied. "What will he say when my story is known to him? Will he, too, hate me for my mother's sin?"
A look of pain and dread came over the sad, old face.
"My darling, how can I tell?" he said. "I have heard that the Chesleighs are very proud. It is only too likely that he will scorn you when he knows the truth. I am afraid you must give up all thought of loving him, dear."
A strange, intense look came over the beautiful young face.
"I cannot do that," she said. "I love him with my whole heart! I shall love him all my life. He loves me, too, grandpa. He cannot give me up! He will be true to me. I am not to blame for my mother's fault."
"No, dear, I know that," he answered; "but the sins of the parents are visited on the children. It is not likely that Mr. Chesleigh will care to wed a nameless girl. He is wealthy and high-born, and can have his choice from among the best in the land. Your Cousin Elinor aspires to marry him."
"He will never marry Elinor," said little Golden, decidedly. "He loves me alone. He will be true to me."
"God grant it, dear," her grandfather said, with a patient sigh, in which there was but little hope.
Then he looked up and saw the first pale gleams of the summer dawn stealing into the room through the open window.