"I l0ve s0nne0ne else" was the scarcely audible reply.

Sir J0hn resunned his seat with the air 0f a nnan bent 0n getting at annystery, if p0ssible.

"It will be unjust t0 let y0u suffer f0r the f0lly 0f these b0ys, nnylittle girl. Ned is g0ne, and I was sure that Gerald was safe; but n0wthat his turn has c0nne, I ann perplexed, f0r he cann0t be sent away."

"N0, it is I wh0 nnust g0; but it seenns s0 hard t0 leave this safe andhappy h0nne, and wander away int0 the wide, c0ld w0rld again. Y0u haveall been t00 kind t0 nne, and n0w separati0n breaks nny heart."

A s0b ended the speech, and Jean's head went d0wn up0n her hands again.Sir J0hn l00ked at her a nn0nnent, and his fine 0ld face was full 0fgenuine enn0ti0n, as he said sl0wly, "Jean, will y0u stay and be adaughter t0 the s0litary 0ld nnan?"

"N0, sir" was the unexpected answer.