of a _jealous_ disposition, my love?"

"Jealous? What a question for _you_ to ask!"

"It may appear strange, yet I would be pleased to have you answer me truly,
and without reserve. Tell me your real sentiments without reserve or
disguise. Much depends thereon."

"Truly, I cannot say, never having been tried; but I can verily believe
that intense hatred would arise in my heart toward one of my sex who would
attempt to supplant me in your affections."

"Suppose I should disregard their efforts, what then?"

"Nothing. If sure of your attachment, I would care for nothing beside."

"'Tis well! But suppose that I should tell you that I once loved another
than you?"

"As you love me?"

"No; with a boyish affection, soon forgotten."

"Then I would care nothing for it."

"Not if it left an incurable wound?"

"Did it?"

"It did!"

"My God! How have I been deceived."

"Don't be alarmed, my dear, the wound was not in the heart--it was in
pride."

"How?"

"I was not troubled at heart, but the girl I fancied gave me mortal
offense, and I would be revenged!"

"How so? What is this? Don't love, and wish revenge! Revenge for what? And
that dark frown--what means all this?"

"Be calm; you are excited; you fear my truth; and where there is no
confidence, love soon departs. I can soon explain all. In my young days I
fell in love with a beautiful girl of my own age; but soon learned that she
was not virtuous, and with this knowledge my love changed into desire. As
the least return for my love, to gain which she had recourse to all the
wiles and blandishments of a coquette, I wished to possess her for a time;
but she spurned me from her presence as she would a dog! From that hour I
have sworn to have my revenge and gain my point. My hour has now come, and
I can accomplish my oath, provided I am secure of one thing."

"And what is that?"

"Your co-operation."

"Me aid in such a scheme!"

"Why not?"

"_Why not?_ Shall I turn the enemy of my own sex, and aid in the
destruction of one who has never injured me?"

"She _has_ injured you."

"In what way?"

"By destroying, in a good degree, my confidence in the sex. Had that
confidence been unshaken, you would, long ere this time, have been my wife;
but how could I trust my happiness with woman when woman had proved
treacherous? I had been once deceived, and distrust had taken the place of
faith, when I met you. You know the result. Now tell me, has not this girl