rs as your
secretary. Before this matter was discussed I may have seen you in the
village, but I never had known you even by sight, and from what that
good lady said of you I supposed that you were decidedly middle-aged in
feeling, if not in years; that you were extremely grave and studious,
and wished, when engaged upon literary composition, to be entirely
oblivious of your surroundings; and that you desired an amanuensis who
should be simply a writing-machine,--who would in no way annoy you by
intruding upon you any evidence that she possessed a personality. A
sister from our House, your grandmother urged, would be the very person
you needed, and infinitely better suited to the position than the
somewhat frivolous young women who very often occupy positions as
amanuenses.

"It was for these reasons that I sent Sylvia to write at the dictation
of the sedate author of the forthcoming book on European travel. Even
when I heard that a love-story had been introduced into the descriptions
of countries, I concluded, after consideration, not to interfere. I did
not think that it would be of any disadvantage to Sylvia if she should
become a little interested in love affairs; but that you should become
interested in a love affair, such as that you have mentioned to me, I
did not imagine in the remotest degree."

"I am sure," said I, "that your motives as far as Sylvia was concerned,
and your action as far as I am concerned, were heaven-born. And now, as
we are speaking plainly here together, let me ask you if you do not
think you would be fulfilling what you consider your duty to Sylvia by
aiding me to make her my wife! There can surely be no better way for her
to fill her proper place in the world than to marry a man who loves her
with his whole heart. I know that I love her above all the world; I
believe that I am worthy of her."

She answered me in a tone which was grave, but gentle. "Do you not know
you are asking me to do something which is entirely impossible? In the
first place, my official position precludes me from taking part in
affairs of this nature; and although I am willing to admit that I see no
reason why you might not be a suitable partner for Sylvia, I must also
admit that, on the other hand, I have no reason to believe that Sylvia
would be inclined to accept you as such a partner. I have no doubt that
she has made herself very agreeable to you,--that is her nature; I know
that she used to make herself very