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down the gate upon it. ‘I will think of it,’ said I, and went into the other room to speak to Ona. > > “Ah, if some angel had met me on the threshold! If my mother’s spirit or the thought of your dear face could have risen before me then and stopped me! Dizzy, intoxicated with love and ambition, I crossed the room to where she sat reeling off a skein of blue silk with hands that were whiter than alabaster. Kneeling down by her side, I caught those fair hands in mine. > > “ ‘Ona,’ I cried, ‘will you marry me? Your father has given his consent, and we shall be very happy.’ > > “She bestowed upon me a little pout, and half mockingly, half earnestly inquired, ‘What kind of a house are you going to put me in? I cannot live in a cottage.’ > > “ ‘I will put you in a palace,’ I whispered, ‘if you will only say that you will be mine.’ > > “ ‘A palace! Oh, I don’t expect palaces; a house like the Japhas’ would do. Not but what I should feel at home in a palace,’ she added, lifting her lordly head and looking beautiful enough to grace a sceptre. Then, archly for her, ‘And papa has given his consent?’ > > “ ‘Yes,’ I ardently cried. > > “ ‘Then Dr. Burton might as well go,’ she answered. ‘I will trust my father’s judgment, and take the palace⁠—when it comes.’ > > “After that, it