that Salome is no longer a child; and that she loves you, my dear boy,
better than she will ever love any other human being. These things are
very strange, indeed, and girls' whims baffle all rules and disappoint
all reasonable expectations; but, nevertheless, it does no good to
shut your eyes to facts that are as clear as daylight. It is not a
sudden freak that has seized the poor child; it has grown upon her,
almost without her understanding herself; but I discovered it the day
that you left home so unexpectedly for New York. Her distress betrayed
her real feelings; and, since then, I have watched her, and can see
how completely her thoughts centre in you."

"Oh, Janet, I hope you mistake her! I cannot believe it possible, for
I recall nothing in her conduct that justifies your supposition; and I
do not think I lack penetration. If she were really interested in me,
as you imagine, she certainly would not thrust so prominently and
constantly before me faults of character which she well knows I cannot
tolerate. Moreover, my dear sister, consider the disparity in our
years, the incompatibility of our tastes and habits, and the
improbability that a handsome young girl should cherish any feeling
stronger than esteem or friendship for a staid man of my age! No, no;
it is too incredible to be entertained, and I am sorry you ever
suggested such an annoying chimera to me. Salome is rather a singular
compound, I willingly admit, but I acquit her of the folly you seem
inclined to impute to her."

Dr. Grey walked up and down the library floor, and, as his sister
watched him, a sad smile trembled over her thin, wrinkled face.

"Ulpian, you are considerably younger than our poor father was when
he married a beautiful creature not one month older than Salome is
to-day. Will you sit in judgment on your own young mother?"

"Nay, Janet; the parallelism is not as apparent as you imagine, for my
manner toward Salome has been calculated to check and chill any
sentiment analogous to that which my father sought to win from my
mother. Pray, do not press upon me a surmise which is indescribably
painful to me."

He resumed his seat, and, thrusting his fingers through his hair,
leaned his head on his open hand.

"My dear boy, if true, why should it prove indescribably painful to
you?"

"Cannot your womanly intuitions spare me an explicit reply?"

"No; speak frankly to me."

"No man of honor--no man who has any delicacy or refinemen