his match in you."

"Dr. Jeremy," said Gertrude, "I hope you don't think----"

"No, my dear, I _don't_ think you a _professional pugilist_; but I
consider you a girl of sense--one who knows what's right--and will do
what's right, in spite of Mr. Graham; and when you hear my story you
will know the grounds on which I formed my opinion with regard to the
course things had taken. One day--about two months ago--I was summoned
to go and see one of Mr. W.'s children, who had an attack of croup. Mr.
W. was talking with me, when he was called away to see a visitor, and on
his return he mentioned that he had secured your services in his school.
I knew Emily intended you for a teacher, and I was thankful you had got
so good a situation. At Mr. W.'s door I encountered Mr. Graham, and he
entertained me as we went down the street with an account of his plan
for the winter. 'But Gertrude Flint is not going with you,' said
I.--'Gertrude!' said he; 'certainly she is.'--'Are you sure of that?' I
asked. 'Have you invited her?'--'Invited her! No,' was his answer; 'but,
of course, I know she will go, and be glad of the opportunity; it isn't
every girl that is so fortunate.' Now, Gerty, I felt provoked at his way
of speaking, and I answered, in as confident a tone as his own, 'I doubt
whether she will accept the invitation.' Upon that, Mr. Dignity
straightened up, and such a speech as he made! I never can recall it
without being amused, especially when I think of the come-down that
followed so soon after. I can't repeat it; but one would have thought to
hear him that it was not only impossible you should oppose his wishes,
but actual treason in me to suggest such a thing. I knew better than to
tell what I had just heard from Mr. W., but I never felt a greater
curiosity about anything than I did to know how the matter would end.
Two or three times I planned to drive to see Emily, and hear the result;
but a doctor never can call a day his own, and I got prevented. On
Sunday I heard Mrs. Prime's voice in the kitchen (her niece lives here),
and down I went to make my inquiries. She told me the truth, I rather
think; though not, perhaps, all the particulars. It was not more than a
day or two after that before I saw Graham. 'Ah,' said I; 'when do you
start?'--'To-morrow,' replied he. 'Really,' I exclaimed; 'then I shan't
see your ladies again. Will you take a little package from me to
Gertrude?'--'I know nothing about Gertrude,' said he, stiffly.