u, Dr. Fell,
The reason why I cannot tell."

I love you dearly, Dr. Fell, the reason why, &c., would be just as
conclusive. We are so accustomed to seeing drops of water drawing near
to meet each other, and mingling in a loving embrace of perfect unity,
that we cease to wonder at the occurrence, as we do also at the fact
that oil and water will not mingle."

"Just as my soul will _not_ mingle with the souls of some. There is an
antagonism more or less decided between my inner self and many persons
I know; people, too, that I am compelled to be friendly with, and wish
to be friendly with, many of them my cousins and aunts. Then again
toward some am I as irresistibly attracted."

Her beautiful eyes sought mine frequently during our conversation, and
her glorious soul looked through them--earnest, simple and pure.

"Just so," resumed she, after a pause, during which her sweet, soft
eyes had been gazing on the dreamy waters. "Just so have I felt
attracted toward you. I could sit down beside you and tell my whole
soul to you as freely as though you were my own brother."

The word _brother_ sent a disagreeable shiver through me that all her
sweet confidence could not banish.

"But," exclaimed she, starting up, "what am I doing? The rain has
stopped, and the waning sun warns me that it is time to be at home.
And what _must_ you think of me? I hardly dare to ask the--"

"That you are the most lovely, most glorious of all Heaven's glorious
creatures; that you--"

"There, there! if you talk in that way, I shall truly repent having
said all I have to you."

"Forgive me; though I spoke sincerely, I hope--"

"I will forgive on condition of good behavior in future. But I must
not stay for another word. Promise me that you will not leave this
spot until ten minutes after the omnibus I shall be in is out of
sight."

"I promise," said I, reluctantly.

She gave me her little, soft, ungloved hand at parting; its gentle
pressure sent a thrill of ecstasy through me, and I looked all the
unutterable things that my full soul felt into her warm brown eyes.
And, by the way, I may as well say that my own eyes are--they are a
dark, deep blue, and strangely expressive, if I believe my sisters
and my friends, and--my own glass.

For one week did I wander up and down the streets, and watch every
omnibus, and stare into the windows and doors of every house I passed.
I peered under every pretty bonnet I met, and was, on the eight