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"Gracious heavens--he's actually up--and dressed! Oh Lud, Barnabas,

what does this arding hih her voice was sharp, her eyes were

wonderfully gentle, and she had stretched out her hands to him

Therefore he crossed the roo those

small hands in his, bent his head and kissed them reverently

"It ain and--"

"And as pale as a goblin--no, Ito catch his

death of cold at an opentoo--I host! And

as weak as--as a rabbit, and--oh, dear me, I can't shut it--the

casement--drat it! Thank you, Barnabas Dear heaven, I am so

flurried--and even your boots on too! Letenough to go on my way--"

"Way? What way? Which way?"

"Home, Duchess"

"Home, home indeed? You are home--this is your home Ashleydown is

yours now"

"Yes," nodded Barnabas, "I suppose it is, but I shall never live here,

I leave today I a home, but before I--"

"Home? What home--which home?"

"But before I do, I would thank you if I could, but how may I thank

you for all your motherly care of me? Indeed, dear Duchess, I cannot,

and yet--if words can--"

"Pho!" exclai her brows at him, but with

eyes still ineffably soft and tender, "what do youback to my father and Natty Bell"