my family is infinitely worse than anything
that can attach to _me_. Even yet I cannot bring myself to believe this
great smash." She made no answer, and he went on: "I can't make out if
Nelly herself believes it. You all wear such cheerful faces, it 's not
easy to understand in what spirit you take this reverse."

"I think that your return has recompensed Nelly for everything."

"She was always the best of us; it's no great praise, that same; but
I mean--but it's no matter what I mean, for you are laughing at me,
already."

"No, indeed, I was not. If I smiled, it was in thinking how little all
your casualties have changed you."

"For that matter, I suspect we may compliment or condemn each other,
whichever it be, on equal terms."

"So at last I have got you to say a civil thing to me. You tell me I am
the same delightful, fascinating creature you knew me long ago."

"I said nothing about fascination," said he, sternly.

"Not directly, of course. Your tact and delicacy were proof against such
indiscretion; but you know you meant it."

"I 'll tell you what I know: I know that I never saw a girl, except
yourself, who liked to pain--aye, to torture--those who cared for her;
who would infinitely rather indulge her mood of mockery than--than--"

"Pray, finish. It's not every day I have the fortune to hear such
candor. Tell me what it is that I postpone to my love of sarcasm?"

"I 've done. I 've been very rude to you, and I ask your pardon. I was
not very polished in my best of days, and I take it my late schooling
has not done much to improve me. When I was coming here I swore an oath
to myself that, no matter what you 'd say to me, I 'd not lose temper,
nor make a resentful answer to anything; and now I see I 've forgotten
all my good intentions, and the best thing I can do is to ask you to
forgive me, and go my ways."

"I 'm not offended," said she, calmly, without raising her eyes. "I
suppose if the balance were struck between us, I did more to provoke
_you_ than you did to wound _me_."

"What is this I hear about being provoked and wounded?" cried Nelly,
coming up to where they sat.

"Your brother and I have been quarrelling, that's all. We thought it
the pleasantest way to pass the time till you came back; and we have
succeeded to perfection."

"I declare, Julia, this is too bad," cried Nelly.

"But why 'Julia'? Why am I singled out as the culprit? Is he so above
reproach that he could not be in the