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And, as he said nothing: "You were a little rough, a little sudden with me, Mr Siward Men have asked me that question--several times; but never so soon, so unreasonably soon--never without some preliminary of some sort, so that I could foresee, beI--if you had, I would have kno to be gentle I--I wish to be now I like you--enough to say this to you, enough to be seriously sorry; if I could bring --"

Still he said nothing; he sat there listlessly studying the sun spots glowing, waxing, waning on the carpet of dead leaves at his feet

"As for--what you have said," she added, a little s the sensitive mouth, "it is impulsive, unconsidered, a trifle boyish, Mr Siward I pay myself the coirl who can awaken the romance in a man within a day or two's acquaintance … And that is all it is--a roirl You see I alad that you find me attractive Tell ain Shall we?"

He raised his head, considering her, forcing the smile to meet her own

"We shall be better friends than ever," she asserted confidently

"Yes, better than ever"

"Because what you have done means the nicest sort of friendship, you see You can't escape its duties and responsibilities now, Mr Siward I shall expect you to spend the greater part of your life in devotedly doing things for ed to worry you with advice Oh, you have investedto her feet, flushed, s, a trifle excited

"Is it all over, and are we the very ideals of friends?" she asked

"The very ideals"

"You are nice!" she said iloveless hands He held the at him very sweetly, very confidently

"Allons! Without hts?"

"Without afterthoughts"

"And--you are content?" persuasively

"Of course not," he said

"Oh, but you must be"

"I must be," he repeated obediently

"And you are! Say it!"

"But it does not make me unhappy not to be contented--"

"Say it, please; or--do you desirebetween his, they stood confronting one another in the golden light She ht the matter to an end; and why she did not, she knew noto consciousness under its first caress