the
pleasantness, not for the goodness."

"Rather severe exercise, isn't it?"

"Not at all!" said Elizabeth a little scornfully. "I am not
strong-armed just now -- but it is nothing to move a boat like
that."

"Some ladies would not think so."

They had been slowly moving up the path towards the house. As
they reached the level of the grassy garden ground, where the
path took a turn, Rufus stopped and faced about upon the
river. The fair October evening air and light were there, over
the water and over the land.

"It is beautiful!" he said somewhat abstractedly.

"You are not so fond of it as your brother, Mr. Landholm,"
said Elizabeth.

"What makes you think so?"

There was quick annoyance in his tone, but Miss Haye was not
careful.

"Am I wrong? Are you as fond of it?"

"I don't know," said Rufus. "His life has been as steadily
given to his pursuits as mine has to mine."

"Perhaps more. But what then? I always thought you loved the
city."

"Yes," Rufus said thoughtfully, -- "I did; -- but I love this
too. It would be a very cold head and heart that did not."

Elizabeth made no reply; and the two enjoyed it in silence for
a minute or two longer.

"For what do you suppose I have intruded upon you at this
time, Miss Haye?"

"For some particular purpose -- what, I don't know. I have been
trying to think."

"I did not venture to presume upon making an ordinary call of
civility."

What _less_ are you going to do? -- thought Elizabeth, looking at
him with her eyes a little opened.

"I have been -- for a few months past -- constantly engaged in
business at the South; and it is but a chance which permitted
me to come here lately -- I mean, to Mannahatta -- on a visit to
my brother. I am not willing to let slip any such
opportunity."

"I should think you would not," said Elizabeth, wondering.

"There I heard of you. -- Shall we walk down again?"

"If you please. I don't care whether up or down."

"I could not go home without turning a little out of my way to
pay this visit to you. I hope I shall be forgiven."

"I don't know what I have to forgive, yet," said Elizabeth.

He was silent, and bit his lip nervously.

"Will you permit me to say -- that I look back with great
pleasure to former times passed in your society -- in
Mannahatta; -- that in those days I once ventured to entertain
a thought which I abandoned as hopeless, -- I had no right to
hope, -- but that since I have heard of the