He had been surprised into an admission of youthful devotion, and he by no means wished the words unsaid; for the secret understanding now existing betwixt himself and Cherry was the sweetest element in his daily life, and he was more and more in love every day with his charming cousin.

But he knew that until he could come with his share of the Trevlyn treasure in his hands, he could scarce hope or look for a patient hearing from the shrewd man of business.

And though he himself was increasingly confident that the treasure had been hidden out of spite, and not really made away with, and that some day it would be found, he knew that this opinion would be regarded by the world at large as a chimera of ardent youth, and that Martin Holt for one would bid him lay aside all such vain and idle dreams, and strive by steady perseverance in business to win for himself a modest independence.

Only to the young, the ardent, the lovers of imaginative romance, had the notion of hidden treasure any charm.
And here was Cherry crying, palpitating, trembling in his arms as though some great trouble menaced them.
"What ails thee, sweetheart ?" he asked, with playful tenderness; and Cherry choked back her sobs to answer: "Cuthbert, he has spoken to me of marriage--my father.

He has told me plainly what he purposes for me.