Aaron smiled and lifted the child high in his arms. 'I shall make a castle for Gampy,' he said, with emphasis; 'not this little play one down here, but a shining palace big enough for Gampy to live in.'

' And Mama, too?' said the child, interested.

'And Mama, too. And Father and I. But you must be a good boy and learn your letters. More than that, my little Gampy, you must learn how to be a prince.'

'Prince,' repeated the child obediently, wriggling.

'It means nothing to him now,' said Aaron to Theo, 'and even you, child that you are, cannot yet comprehend the future that is in store for you. But you will. For destiny,' he added softly, 'can be carved into whatsoever shape we wish if the tool be whetted by indomitable purpose.'

He left her then, allowing the delighted child to lead him down on the lawn. She watched them together, seeing the tender understanding with which he entered into the little boy's world and Gampy's adoring response.

Yes, she thought, he's right. He is always right. What dearer destiny can there be for me or Gampy than to follow where he leads? He is already so far above other men that how can I doubt that the outer world must at last recognize it?

Her course became clear. All other relationships faded or changed. Even with Meme there had been questions, uncertainty. But her love for Aaron permitted no question. It simply existed, as much a part of her as her hands. Life could give her no more precious gift than the happiness of being his daughter.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

AFTER all, it took only two days to win Joseph over to the cause: two days of Aaron's restrained eloquence that hinted at far more than it told. But he was, as he had expected to be, immeasurably helped by Theodosia, who, secure in the knowledge of her husband's character, expatiated on the magnificence of their certain elevation.

He was to be Prince Consort and command wealth that staggered the imagination. The fabulous mines of Mexico would be theirs; rivers of jeweled gold were to be poured out to them by the grateful people. What were the paltry thousands which he wrested from the rice fields compared to this?

And when at first Joseph, sullen and shaking his bewildered head, remained obdurate, Theo wept: wept sincerely from disappointment and frustration, because the plan had now become hers too; she believed in it with every fiber of her body, and it was inconceivable that her husband should be so dense, so pedestrian.

Gradually he allowed himself to be impressed by the distinguished names tossed him by Aaron, names which Aaron truthfully assured him had promised backing.

'For war with Spain is inevitable,' said Aaron, 'and the instant it breaks out, we must be ready.'

'There may be some truth in what you say,' Joseph admitted grudgingly.