do so--to love in that mad passionate
self-sacrificing manner. But yet I did. I think I may say with
certainty that I never shall be so foolish again."

"You have suffered lately, Caroline; and as the sore still smarts,
you hardly yet know what happiness may be in store for you."

"Yes; I have suffered," and he felt from the touch on his arm that
her whole body shuddered.

He walked on in silence for awhile considering within himself. Why
should he marry this girl, rejected of her former lover, who now hung
upon his arm? He was now at the very fullest tide of his prosperity;
he had everything to offer which mothers wish for their daughters,
and which daughters wish for themselves. He had income, rank, name,
youth, and talent. Why should he fling his rich treasures at the feet
of a proud minx who in taking them swore that she could not love him?
Would it not be better for him to recede? A word he well knew would
do it; for her pride was true pride. He felt in his heart that it was
not assumed. He had only to say that he was not contented with this
cold lack of love, and she would simply desire him to lead her back
to her home and leave her there. It would be easy enough for him to
get his head from out the noose.

But it was this very easiness, perhaps, which made him hesitate. She
knew her own price, and was not at all anxious to dispose of herself
a cheap bargain. If you, sir, have a horse to sell, never appear
anxious for the sale. That rule is well understood among those who
deal in horses. If you, madam, have a daughter to sell, it will be
well for you also to remember this. Or, my young friend, if you have
yourself to sell, the same rule holds good. But it is hard to put an
old head on young shoulders. Hard as the task is, however, it would
seem to have been effected as regards Caroline Waddington.

And then Sir Henry looked at her. Not exactly with his present
eyesight as then at that moment existing; for seeing that she was
walking by his side, he could not take the comprehensive view which
his taste and mind required. But he looked at her searchingly with
the eyesight of his memory, and found that she exactly tallied with
what his judgment demanded. That she was very beautiful, no man had
ever doubted. That she was now in the full pride of her beauty was
to him certain. And then her beauty was of that goddess class which
seems for so long a period to set years at defiance. It was produced
by no girlish sof