He sought Valentine, and found her seated under the shade of her favorite trees.
"Miss Charteris," he said, after a few words of greeting, "I have come to ask you the greatest favor, the sweetest boon, you can confer on any man." "What is it ?" asked Valentine, calmly, anticipating some trifling request.
"Your permission to keep for my own the original 'Queen Guinevere'," he replied; "that picture is more to me than all that I possess.

Only one thing is dearer, the original.

May I ever hope to make that mine also ?" Valentine opened her magnificent eyes in wonder.

It was an offer of marriage then that he was making.
"Have you no word for me, Miss Charteris ?" he said.

"I lay my life and my love at your feet.