"I wonder if anybody ever will for me ?" "_Love comes to all soon or late, And maketh gay or sad; For every bird will find its mate, And every lass a lad,_" sang Paul, quoting one of Hester's songs, and looking relieved that Lillian's thoughts had strayed from him.

But he was mistaken.
"Shall you marry this sweetheart of yours someday ?" asked Lillian, turning to him with a curious yet wistful look.
"Perhaps." "You look as if there was no 'perhaps' about it," said the child, quick to read the kindling of the eye and the change in the voice that accompanied the boy's reply.
"She is very young and I must wait, and while I wait many things may happen to part us." "Is she a lady ?" "Yes, a wellborn, lovely little lady, and I'll marry her if I live." Paul spoke with a look of decision, and a proud lift of the head that contrasted curiously with the badge of servitude he wore.
Lillian felt this, and asked, with a sudden shyness coming over her, "But you are a gentleman, and so no one will mind even if you are not rich." "How do you know what I am ?" he asked quickly.
"I heard Hester tell the housekeeper that you were not what you seemed, and one day she hoped you'd get your right place again.

I asked Mamma about it, and she said she would not let me be with you so much if you were not a fit companion for me.

I was not to speak of it, but she means to be your friend and help you by-and-by." "Does she ?" And the boy laughed an odd, short laugh that jarred on Lillian's ear and made her say reprovingly, "You are proud, I know, but you'll let us help you because we like to do it, and I have no brother to share my money with." "Would you like one, or a sister ?" asked Paul, looking straight into her face with his piercing eyes.
"Yes, indeed! I long for someone to be with me and love me, as Mamma can't." "Would you be willing to share everything with another person--perhaps have to give them a great many things you like and now have all to yourself ?" "I think I should.

I'm selfish, I know, because everyone pets and spoils me, but if I loved a person dearly I'd give up anything to them.