was so stiff and sore he did not come down to
breakfast. But Grace Carden, though very sleepy, made her appearance,
and had a most affectionate conversation with Mr. Raby. She asked leave
to christen him again. "I must call you something, you know, after
all this. Mr. Raby is cold. Godpapa is childish. What do you say
to--'Uncle'?"

He said he should be delighted. Then she dipped her forefinger in water.
He drew back with horror.

"Come, young lady," said he, "I know it is an age of burlesque. But let
us spare the sacraments, and the altar, and such trifles."

"I am not half so wicked as you think," said Grace. Then she wrote
"Uncle" on his brow, and so settled that matter.

Mr. Coventry came down about noon, and resumed his courtship. He
was very tender, spoke of the perils they had endured together as an
additional tie, and pressed his suit with ardor.

But he found a great change in the lady.

Yesterday, on Cairnhope Peak, she was passive, but soft and complying.
To-day she was polite, but cool, and as slippery as an eel. There was no
pinning her.

And, at last, she said, "The fact is I'm thinking of our great
preservation, and more inclined to pray than flirt, for once."

"And so am I," said the man of tact; "but what I offer is a sacred and
life-long affection."

"Oh, of course."

"A few hours ago you did me the honor to listen to me. You even hinted I
might speak to your father."

"No, no. I only asked if you HAD spoken to him."

"I will not contradict you. I will trust to your own candor. Dear Grace,
tell me, have I been so unfortunate as to offend you since then?"

"No."

"Have I lost your respect?"

"Oh, no."

"Have I forfeited your good opinion?"

"Dear me, no." (A little pettishly.)

"Then how is it that I love you better, if possible, than yesterday, and
you seem not to like me so well as yesterday?"

"One is not always in the same humor."

"Then you don't like me to-day?"

"Oh yes, but I do. And I shall always like you: if you don't tease me,
and urge me too much. It is hardly fair to hurry me so; I am only a
girl, and girls make such mistakes sometimes."

"That is true; they marry on too short an acquaintance. But you have
known me more than two years, and, in all that time, have I once given
you reason to think that you had a rival in my admiration, my love?"

"I never watched you to see. But all that time you have certainly
honored me with your attention, and I do believe y