xcept that; but you needn't ask that of me."

"O Zoe! I had thought you would do a harder thing than that at my
request," he said reproachfully.

Ignoring his remark, she went on, "I just believe she fell and hurt
herself purposely, that she might have an excuse for prolonging her
visit, and continuing to torment me."

"Zoe, Zoe, how shockingly uncharitable you are!" he exclaimed. "I could
never have believed it of you! We are told, 'Charity thinketh no evil.'
Do try not to judge so harshly."

He left the room; and Zoe indulged in a hearty cry, but hastily dried
her eyes, and turned her back toward the door, as she heard his step
approaching again.

He just looked in, saying, "Zoe, I am going to drive over to Roselands
for Ella: will you go along?"

"No. I've been lectured enough for one day," was her ungracious
rejoinder; and he closed the door, and went away.

He was dumb with astonishment and pain. "What has come over her?" he
asked himself. "She has always before been so delighted to go any and
every where with me. Have I been too ready to reprove her of late? I
have thought myself rather forbearing, considering how much ill-temper
she has shown. She has had provocation, to be sure; but it is high time
she learned to exercise some self-control. Yet perhaps I should have
been more sympathizing, more forbearing and affectionate."

He had stepped into his carriage, and was driving down the avenue. He
passed through the great gates, and turned into the road, still thinking
of Zoe, and mentally reviewing their behavior toward each other since
the unfortunate day in which Miss Deane had crossed their threshold.

The conclusion he presently arrived at was, that he had not been
altogether blameless; that, if his reproofs had been given in more
loving fashion, they would have been received in a better spirit; that
he had not been faithful to his promise always to try "love and coaxing"
with the impulsive, sensitive child-wife, who, he doubted not, loved him
with her whole heart; and, once convinced of that, he determined to say
so on his return, and make it up with her.

True, it seemed to him that she ought to make the first advances toward
an adjustment of their slight differences (quarrels they could scarcely
be called; a slight coldness, a cessation of accustomed manifestations
of conjugal affection, a few sharp or impatient words on each side), but
he would be too generous to wait for that; he loved her dearl