the city in which he resided was suburban, and he went
home every night by the steam cars. As he sat in the car that evening
waiting for the train to start, two gentlemen in the seat behind fell to
conversing about a new book on mental physiology, embodying the latest
discoveries. They kept up a brisk talk on this subject till Henry left
the car. He could not, however, have repeated a single thing which they
had said. Preoccupied with his own thoughts, he had only been dimly
conscious what they were talking about. His ears had taken in their
words, but he had heard as not hearing.

After tea, in the gloaming, he called, as usual, on Madeline. After a few
casual words, he said, gently--

"Madeline, you remember you promised to marry me a few weeks ago. I have
not hurried you, but I want you now. There is no use in waiting any
longer, dear, and I want you."

She was sitting in a low chair, her hands folded in her lap, and as he
spoke her head sank so low upon her breast that he could not see her
face. He was silent for some moments waiting a reply, but she made none.

"I know it was only for my sake you promised," he said again. "I know it
will be nothing to you, and yet I would not press you if I did not think
I could make you happier so. I will give up my business for a time, and
we will travel and see the world a little."

Still she did not speak, but it was to some extent a reassurance to him
that she showed no agitation.

"Are you willing that we should be married in a few days?" he asked.

She lifted her head slowly, and looked at him steadfastly.

"You are right," she said. "It is useless to keep on this way any
longer."

"You consent, then?" said he, quite encouraged by her quiet air and
apparent willingness.

"Don't press me for an answer to-night," she replied, after a pause,
during which she regarded him with a singular fixity of expression. "Wait
till to-morrow. You shall have an answer to-morrow. You are quite right.
I've been thinking so myself. It is no use to put it off any longer."

He spoke to her once or twice after this, but she was gazing out through
the window into the darkening sky, and did not seem to hear him. He rose
to go, and had already reached the hail, when she called him--

"Come back a moment Henry."

He came back.

"I want you to kiss me," she said.

She was standing in the middle of the room. Her tall figure in its black
dress was flooded with the weird radiance of the