at
clergyman came and saved me, and he wasn't a Roman Catholic clergyman
at all, and he proposed--"

"Proposed!" cried Mrs. Willoughby, aghast.

"Oh yes," said Minnie, solemnly; "and I had hard work preventing him.
But, really, it was _too_ absurd, and I would not let him be too
explicit. But I didn't hurt his feelings. Well, you know, then all of
a sudden, as we were sitting there, the bugle sounded, and we came
back. Well, then, Rufus K. Gunn came--and you know how very violent he
is in his way--and he said he saved my life again, and so he
proposed."

"_He_ proposed! Why, he had proposed before."

"Oh yes; but that was for an engagement, and this was for our
marriage."

"Marriage!"

"Oh yes; and, you see, he had actually saved my life twice, and he was
very urgent, and he is so awfully affectionate, and so--"

"Well, what?" cried Mrs. Willoughby, seeing Minnie hesitate.

"Why, he--"

"Well?"

"I mean, I--"

"You what? Really, Minnie dearest, you might tell me, and not keep me
in such dreadful suspense."

"Why, what could I say?"

"But what _did_ you say?"

"Why, I think I--said--yes," said Minnie, casting down her eyes with
indescribable sweetness, shyness, meekness, and resignation. Mrs.
Willoughby actually shuddered.

"Now, Kitty," exclaimed Minnie, who at once noticed it, "you needn't
be so horrid. I'm sure you can't say any thing against him _now_. You
needn't look so. You _always_ hated him. You _never_ would treat him
kindly."

"But this--this marriage. It's too shocking."

"Well, he saved my life."

"And to-day! How utterly preposterous! It's shameful!"

"Well, I'm sure I can't help it."

"It's too horrid!" continued Mrs. Willoughby, in an excited tone. "It
will break poor papa's heart. And it will break poor darling aunty's
heart. And it will break my heart."

"Now, Kitty dearest, this is too silly in you. If it hadn't been for
him, I would now be married to that wretched Count, who hadn't
sufficient affection for me to get me a chair to sit on, and who was
very, very rude to you. You didn't care, though, whether I was married
to him or not; and now when I am saved from him you have nothing but
very unpleasant things to say about Rufus K. Gunn."

"Oh dear, what _would_ I give if you were only safe home!"

"Well, I'm sure I don't see what _I_ can do. People are always saving
my life. And there is Captain Kirby hunting all over Italy for me. And
I _know_ I will be saved by some