sness that disarmed her words of any latent sting they might
otherwise have contained.

"I know it," he replied, "and I am very bold to ask it upon so slight an
acquaintance; but life is short and real treasure is so scarce. You will
not deny me, Miss Fairchild?" Then seeing her look down, hastily
continued, "I have acquaintances by the score--friends who style
themselves thus, by the dozen, but no _friend_. I want one; I want you
for that one. Will you be it? I shall be jealous though, I warn you," he
went on, with a cropping out of his mirthful nature; "I shall not be
pleased to observe the circle widened indefinitely. I shall want my own
place and no one else in my place."

"No one else can fill the place once given to a friend. Each one has his
own niche."

"And I am to have mine?" His look was firm, his eye steadfast.

"Yes," she breathed.

With a proud stooping of his head, he took her hand and kissed it. The
action became him; he was tall and well made, and gallantry induced by
feeling, sat well upon him. In spite of herself, she thought of old-time
stories of the Norse chivalry; he stood so radiant and bent so low.

"I shall prize my friend at her queenly value," said he; and without
more ado, uttered his farewell and took his departure.

* * * * *

"Paula!"

The young girl started from a reverie which had held her for a long time
enchained at that fast darkening window, and hastily looking up,
perceived her Aunt Belinda standing before her, with her eye fixed upon
her face, with a kind but searching glance.

"Yes, aunt."

"You have not told me who this Mr. Ensign is. In all the letters you
wrote me you did not mention his name, I think."

"No, aunt. The fact is, I did not meet him until a few days before I
left, and then only for an evening, you might say."

"Indeed! that one evening seems to have made its impression. Tell me
something about him, Paula."

"His own countenance speaks for him better than I can, aunt. He is good
and he is kind; an honest young man, who need fear the eye of no one. He
is wealthy, I am informed, and the son of highly respected parents. He
was first presented to me by Miss Stuyvesant, whose friend he is,
afterwards by Mr. Sylvester. His coming here was a surprise to me."

Miss Belinda's firm mouth, which had expanded at this dutiful response,
twitched with a certain amused expression over this last announcement.
Eying her niece with