human beings have, by a general
convention, settled shall be dignified--"that any reasonable man can
desire. The large fortune left by your late father, raises you, in this
respect, to the height of the richest in the land; and now that you are
a baronet, no one will dispute your claim to participate in the councils
of the nation. It would perhaps be better, did your creation date a
century or two nearer the commencement of the monarchy; but, in this
age of innovations, we must take things as they are, and not as we might
wish to have them."

I rubbed my forehead, for the doctor had incidentally thrown out an
embarrassing idea.

"On your principle, my dear sir, society would be obliged to begin with
its great-grandfathers to qualify itself for its own government."

"Pardon me, Jack, if I have said anything disagreeable--no doubt all
will come right in heaven. Anna will be uneasy at our delay."

This suggestion drove all recollection of the good rector's social-stake
system, which was exactly the converse of the social-stake system of
my late ancestor, quite out of my head. Springing forward, I gave him
reason to see that he would have no farther trouble in changing the
subject. When we had passed an antechamber, he pointed to a door, and
admonishing me to be prudent, withdrew.

My hand trembled as it touched the door-knob, but the lock yielded. Anna
was standing in the middle of the room (she had heard my footsteps), an
image of womanly loveliness, womanly faith, and womanly feeling. By a
desperate effort, she was, however, mistress of her emotions. Though her
pure soul seemed willing to fly to meet me, she obviously restrained the
impulse, in order to spare my nerves.

"Dear Jack!"--and both her soft, white, pretty little hands met me, as I
eagerly approached.

"Anna!--dearest Anna!"--I covered the rosy fingers with kisses.

"Let us be tranquil, Jack, and if possible, endeavor to be reasonable,
too."

"If I thought this could really cost one habitually discreet as you an
effort, Anna?"

"One habitually discreet as I, is as likely to feel strongly on meeting
an old friend, as another."

"I think it would make me perfectly happy, could I see thee weep."

As if waiting only for this hint, Anna burst into a flood of tears.
I was frightened, for her sobs became hysterical and convulsed. Those
precious sentiments which had been so long imprisoned in her gentle
bosom, obtained the mastery, and I was well paid f