should she not
please him?

"Do as you like, Mr. Gilbert. Tell my uncle if you choose."

"And if he consents, Norine--as I think he will--when shall I tell him
our marriage is to take place? I want it to be soon, my dearest girl,
very soon, for I don't feel as though I could live much longer without
you. Come, my little wife! name an early day."

"Oh, I cannot! I don't know when. Next summer some time."

"That is indefinite," he laughed. "Allow me to be definite. Say early
next May."

"No, no, no! that is too soon--greatly too soon! I couldn't be ready."

"Then, when? I won't be selfish, but you must be merciful, mademoiselle,
and not keep me in suspense too long."

She laughed her old gay laugh.

"Patience, monsieur; patience stands chief among the virtues. Will June
do--the last?"

"The first, Norine."

Aunt Hetty was coming through the hall. Norine darted away.

"Have it as you will! Don't you want me to help you with breakfast,
auntie?"

Mr. Gilbert smilingly looked after his bright little prize, so soon to
be his bright little wife, then turned to Aunt Hetty.

"Where is your brother this morning, Miss Kent? I wish to speak to
him."

"In the stable, I think. Shall I go and see?"

"Not at all. I will go myself."

He walked away, humming a tune, in the happiness of his heart. Ah! shone
ever winter sun so brightly before, looked ever the work-a-day world so
paradisiacal as now! The earth and all thereon was transformed as with
an enchanter's wand to this middle-aged legal gentleman in love.

Uncle Reuben, busy among his cattle, looked up in some surprise at sight
of his early visitor.

"Don't let me interfere with your work, Kent," the lawyer said. "You can
attend to your horses and listen, too. I must leave the day after
to-morrow; my business has been too long neglected, and I have something
of importance to tell you before I go. Something I hope--I believe, you
will not be sorry to hear."

The eyes of the two men met. There was a peculiar smile on the lawyer's
face, a happy light in his eyes, and Reuben Kent's countenance grew
suddenly bright with intelligence.

"Is it about Norry?"

A smile and a nod answered him.

"Then I reckon I can guess. You have asked her to marry you?"

"Exactly. But how, in the name of everything wonderful have you found it
out?"

Uncle Reuben's eyes twinkled shrewdly.

"I ain't a lawyer, Mr. Gilbert, but I can see as far into a milestone as
any other man.