A moment of restful bliss followed; then Merle gently disengaged herself and rose to her feet.
“What will Tia Teresa say?” she asked, laughingly, as she glanced over her shoulder.
“I think Tia Teresa knew all about my love long ago,” replied Dick. “Yes, both she and Pierre Luzon, too.”
“Then you have been wearing your heart on your sleeve.”
“Or we have been surrounded by very observant people. But, I say, Merle, this reminds me of a thing I had quite forgotten for the moment.” His face fell. “There is one great barrier that stands between us.”
“What do you mean? You are surely too strong and purposeful a man to care for barriers.”
“I never knew until the other day that you are so very rich.”
“Rich!” laughed Merle. “Who ever told you such a foolish thing? While of course I have never felt poverty, don’t you know that I am absolutely dependent upon Mrs. Darlington’s kindness and generosity to me, her adopted daughter?”
A smile of understanding broke over Dick’s face.
“You tell me that? I am so delighted,” he exclaimed.