"I!" exclaimed Leo, opening his eyes. "Why, I never thought of such a thing."
"The more fool you, when you could have done it."
"What, marry my sister!"
"She isn't your sister, any more than I am."
"Well, it's all the same thing, and I could never look upon her as anything but a sister," replied Leo, as he hastened to his work.
Leo was satisfied; for he could still love Mrs. Harding as a sister; and he had certainly never thought of her in any other relation. Perhaps he did not think of anything at that time but machines and machinery. Both he and André remained with Mrs. Harding, for she would not consent to their leaving her. And her husband liked them because she did.
When Leo was twenty-five, his inventive genius had laid the foundation of his fortune, and his "royalties" soon made him independent, for he had the business ability to profit by his inventions. When he was married, the "strange family" was separated, but never in spirit. André goes from one house to the other half a dozen times a day, and is honored as a "grandpa" by four little boys and girls.
Leo has always been the determined and persevering individual he was in his youth, when engaged in the "mouse business." As an apprentice, as n journeyman, as a master machinist, and as an inventor, it has been "make or break" with him; and, though the parts of his machinery often did break, and the apparatus failed to do its expected work, he did not give up; and he conquered in the end, whatever trials and difficulties interposed.
Mrs. Harding is superlatively happy in her husband, her children, her foster-father, whom she still lovingly calls "mon père" and in her noble brother. She calls, at long intervals, upon Mrs. Checkynshaw and Elinora; and peace reigns between the two houses of Checkynshaw and Wittleworth. Though she was never happier than when she knew no other relation than that of the poor man's daughter, she has every reason to be thankful, and is thankful, to God for the blessings which have come to her as The Rich Man's Daughter.