ing to
herself that for the rest of her life she would keep clear of, what
she called, girlish messes. Like other young ladies she had read much
poetry and many novels; but her sympathies had never been with young
ladies who could not go straight through with their love affairs,
from the beginning to the end, without flirtation of either an inward
or an outward nature. Of all her heroines, Rosalind was the one she
liked the best, because from the first moment of her passion she knew
herself and what she was about, and loved her lover right heartily.
Of all girls in prose or poetry she declared that Rosalind was
the least of a flirt. She meant to have the man, and never had a
doubt about it. But with such a one as Flora MacIvor she had no
patience;--a girl who did and who didn't, who would and who wouldn't,
who could and who couldn't, and who of all flirts was to her the most
nauseous! As she was taking herself to task, accusing herself of
being a Flora without the poetry and romance to excuse her, Mr.
Fenwick came round from Farmer Trumbull's side of the church, and got
over the stile into the churchyard.

[Illustration: Mr. Fenwick came round from Farmer Trumbull's
side of the church, and got over the stile into the churchyard.]

"What, Mary, is that you gazing in so intently among your brethren
that were?"

"I was not thinking of them," she said, with a smile. "My mind was
intent on some of my brethren that are." Then there came a thought
across her, and she made a sudden decision. "Mr. Fenwick," she said,
"would you mind walking up and down the churchyard with me once or
twice? I have something to say to you, and I can say it now so well."
He opened the gate for her, and she joined him. "I want to beg your
pardon, and to get you to forgive me. I know you have been angry with
me."

"Hardly angry,--but vexed. As you ask me so frankly and prettily, I
will forgive you. There is my hand upon it. All evil thoughts against
you shall go out of my head. I shall still have my wishes, but I will
not be cross with you."

"You are so good, and so clearly honest. I declare I think Janet the
happiest woman that I ever heard of."

"Come, come; I didn't bargain for this kind of thing when I allowed
myself to be brought in here."

"But it is so. I did not stop you for that, however, but to
acknowledge that I have been wrong, and to ask you to pardon me."

"I will. I do. If there has been anything amiss, it shall not be