d be impossible. I have too much confidence in your judgment
to fear any such result," I answered sweetly, led away by the eagerness
I felt to obtain his consent to the project.

He gave me a swift sidelong glance that made me tremble and set my heart
fluttering, though I did not know why.

"Besides," I said speaking fast and feverishly, "the money is mine. I
have a right to do what I please with it."

There was a pause, and then he said with the same glance, only longer
and intenser than before: "Miss Harlan, I cannot accept such a
responsibility unless you give it to me forever."

I was stunned. I had brought this upon myself I could see plainly, now
that it was too late. My undignified, unfeminine conduct stood out
before me the moment he had spoken, in all its mortifying nakedness. He
had mistaken my meaning, but it was I who was to blame for the error.
Humiliated and confused, I was at a loss for words; but a reply was
necessary.

"You have misunderstood me entirely, Mr. Dale. Let us change the
subject, if you please," I said with dignity.

Fortunately some one came in just at this moment, and Mr. Dale shortly
rose to go. But he dared in taking leave to look at me again in the
manner I have described, and in spite of my will and desire my eyes fell
as they encountered his.

We did not meet again, much to my relief, before I left town. I was in
an harassing state of mind, and happiness alternated in my thoughts with
despair. For a terrible secret had dawned upon me,--terrible, because I
foresaw the painful consequences which would result therefrom. I loved
Roger Dale. It was useless to disguise it longer from myself. His words
had made the truth manifest, and that which I fancied friendship was
become a mutual passion. Any mortification I may have felt at having
unwittingly prompted the speech that had filled my heart with joy was
nullified by the consciousness that I was beloved.

But the thought of braving the opposition of my family distressed me
beyond measure, as it must needs distress any conscientious girl in a
similar position. My instincts told me that it was vain to hope that
they would relent. Their objections were baseless, but none the less I
knew that they would prove insuperable. I found myself face to face
with a dilemma fraught with unhappiness whichever way I should solve it.
What was there to allege against Mr. Dale? Nothing. He was poor. But
what of that? My father had money enough for u