"Yes," she replied deliberately; "and the reason I so want to peer into the future is to make certain that either one of these results is assured."
"I suppose Hamlen is the man," Huntington said soberly.
"He has spoken of it to you?"
"Yes; he mentioned it soon after he came to visit me."
"Then he does care for me? I had not realized that."
How could the question be answered? Even if Huntington felt himself free to repeat the confidence Hamlen had given him it would mar the perfection of the sacrifice for Merry to know the truth. Her very eagerness for happiness might bring it, and at whatever cost to himself he wanted that to come to her!
"When we spoke of it Mr. Hamlen was not in a condition to know what his feelings really were," Huntington replied guardedly. "He realized his limitations, and questioned, much as you do, the possibility of making any other person happy. Since he has learned more of the world he is greatly changed, but we have not again referred to the subject."
"With us both feeling our limitations, and with both striving to accomplish the same result, don't you think we ought to be successful?"
There was an appealing expression in Merry's face which besought a confirming answer. Huntington could not resist it.
"It must be so," he said with decision. He smiled into her tense face with a confidence his heart denied. "It must be so," he repeated. "Somewhere there must be a divinity which watches over gentle souls like yours, and brings them their reward."