“Sometimes I feel greatly tempted,” resumed Alice, “to let Richard know. Whatever be the designs of other people concerning him, a man has a right to know where he came from.”

“Yes,” answered Barbara, “a man must have the right to know what other people know about him. I wish we knew what ground there is for inquiring into Richard’s birth.”

Much more talk followed.

The girls came to the conclusion that, for the present, they must do nothing that might let the secret out of their keeping. They must wait and watch. When the right thing grew plain, they would do it!

19. Barbara Thinks

— Nineteen —

Barbara Thinks

Barbara rode home with strange things in her mind. Here was a romance brought to her very door! Naturally, then, from this time onward, Barbara’s thoughts rested more and more on the person and undeveloped history of the man to whom she was so greatly indebted. Richard had thrown open to Barbara regions of literature and thought previously unknown to her. On her part, she had influenced him to such an extent that he had at least become less overbearing in presenting his unbelief. The strongest bonds were thus in the process of binding them. Barbara’s feeling toward Richard might very naturally develop into one of the million forms to which we give the common name of love.

As for Richard, he was already aware that his feeling toward Barbara could be nothing but love. But he understood love as few know it, giving himself fully while expecting no response and dreaming of no claim on her. Because of their different social stations, to expect any return of his devotion would have seemed to Richard an absurdity. She shone in his eyes like a lovely mysterious gem which he might wear for an hour, but which must presently, with its hundredfold shadow and shine, pass from his keeping. In truth, no man good and free could have kept her soul out of his. She was so delicate, yet so strong, so steady, yet so ready, so original, yet so infinitely responsive—what could he do but throw his doors wide to her? What could he do but love her?

And now that Barbara believed she knew more about him than he did himself, now that the road appeared to lie open between them, since he was of gentle birth—acknowledged or not—would she escape falling in love with a man whose hands of labour were mastered by a head full of understanding?