n your pretty little hands and feet----" Here she
suddenly rolled up her hands in her frilled white apron, and, sitting
up straight, drew her feet under her gown. At this performance, they
both laughed loud and long, and Maud's nerves were relieved.

"What geese we are," she said at last. "You know I don't believe a word
you say."

"Oh, yes, you do. You've got eyes and a looking-glass. Come now, be
honest. You know you never saw a girl as pretty as yourself, and you
never saw a man that didn't love you on sight."

"I don't know about that."

"Don't all the men you know love you?"

"There is one man I know hates me, and I hate him."

"Who is it? This is very interesting."

Maud was suddenly seized with a desire to tell an adventure, something
that might match Offitt's tales of wonder.

"You'll never tell?"

"Hope I may die."

"It's Arthur Farnham!" She had succeeded in her purpose, for Offitt
stared at her with looks of amazement. "He once wanted to be rather too
attentive to me, and I did not like it. So he hates me, and has tried
to injure me."

"And you don't like him very well?"

"I don't. I would owe a good deal to the man who would give him a
beating."

"All right. You give me--what?--a kiss, or a lock of your hair, and he
shall have his thrashing."

"You do it and bring me the proofs, and we will talk about it."

"Well, I must be off," he said, picking tip his hat. He saw on her face
a slight disappointment. He put out his hand to take leave. She folded
her arms.

"You needn't be in such a hurry," she said, poutingly. "Mother won't be
back for ever so long, and I was half asleep over my book when you came
in."

"Oh, very well," he said. "That suits me." He walked deliberately
across the room, picked up a chair, and seated himself very near to
Maud. She felt her heart beat with something like terror, and regretted
asking him to stay. He had been very agreeable, but she was sure he was
going to be disagreeable now. She was afraid that if he grew
disagreeable she could not manage him as she could the others. Her
worst fears were realized with his first words.

"Miss Matchin, if you ask me to stay longer, you must take the
consequences. I am going to say to you what I never said to mortal
woman before: I love you, and I want you for my wife."

She tried to laugh. "Oh, you do?" but her face grew pale, and her hands
trembled.

"Yes, I do; and I am going to have you, too."

He tried to speak