cratching at the window-
pane like that of the point of an ivy leaf, which he knew to be really
caused by the tip of his sweetheart-wife's forefinger. He rose and
opened the door to admit her, not without astonishment as to how she had
been able to get away from her friends.

'Dearest Viv, why, what's the matter?' he said, perceiving that her face,
as the lamplight fell on it, was sad, and even stormy.

'I thought I would run across to see you. I have heard something
so--so--to your discredit, and I know it can't be true! I know you are
constancy itself; but your constancy produces strange effects in people's
eyes!'

'Good heavens! Nobody has found us out--'

'No, no--it is not that. You know, Swithin, that I am always sincere,
and willing to own if I am to blame in anything. Now will you prove to
me that you are the same by owning some fault to me?'

'Yes, dear, indeed; directly I can think of one worth owning.'

'I wonder one does not rush upon your tongue in a moment!'

'I confess that I am sufficiently a Pharisee not to experience that
spontaneity.'

'Swithin, don't speak so affectedly, when you know so well what I mean!
Is it nothing to you that, after all our vows for life, you have thought
it right to--flirt with a village girl?'

'O Viviette!' interrupted Swithin, taking her hand, which was hot and
trembling. 'You who are full of noble and generous feelings, and regard
me with devoted tenderness that has never been surpassed by woman,--how
can you be so greatly at fault? _I_ flirt, Viviette? By thinking that
you injure yourself in my eyes. Why, I am so far from doing so that I
continually pull myself up for watching you too jealously, as to-day,
when I have been dreading the effect upon you of other company in my
absence, and thinking that you rather shut the gates against me when you
have big-wigs to entertain.'

'Do you, Swithin?' she cried. It was evident that the honest tone of his
words was having a great effect in clearing away the clouds. She added
with an uncertain smile, 'But how can I believe that, after what was seen
to-day? My brother, not knowing in the least that I had an iota of
interest in you, told me that he witnessed the signs of an attachment
between you and Tabitha Lark in church, this morning.'

'Ah!' cried Swithin, with a burst of laughter. 'Now I know what you
mean, and what has caused this misunderstanding! How good of you,
Viviette, to come at once and have i