aressed him so tenderly that
Joshua grew ashamed of his want of doghood, and began to assure his
mistress, in eloquent dumb show, that it was all a misapprehension on her
part; that he wasn't hurt at all; that she never did hurt him and never
could; that, in face, he was howling at--well, at the squirrel over yonder
on the tree; or, yes, at the turkey buzzard flying overhead.

Meanwhile Col Anglesea looked on in disgust.

"And do you think, my dear young lady, that this childish play is quite
worthy of your years?" he inquired.

"Yes! quite!" she answered, gravely.

"Will you listen to me for a moment?"

"I would rather not, Col. Anglesea; but perhaps, after all, I had better
hear what you have to say and get it over. Then, probably, I shall have
some peace."

He seated himself on the railing of the bridge, above and a little behind
her. And then he made an ardent declaration of his love and an offer of
his hand.

Odalite grew pale and cold as she listened to him, not in fear, but in
wrath, disgust and abhorrence.

"Has my father authorized you to speak to me on this subject, Col.
Anglesea?" she inquired, in a freezing tone, without looking at him.

"No, my dearest one; but your mother has."

Odalite shook her head with derisive incredulity. Col. Anglesea continued
as if he had not seen her gesture:

"And I want your authority to speak to your father of these my most
cherished hopes."

"Then, sir, you need not trouble him on the subject. I suppose, sir, that
I ought to thank you for the honor you have done me by this offer, but I
have to assure you that it is utterly impossible for me to accept it," she
said, in the same icy tone, and without glancing toward him.

"Oh, why, my dear Miss Force?" he inquired, with an insinuating smile, as
he bent down to look in her face.

But she kept her eyes averted, as she answered, coldly:

"Because I have long been engaged to my cousin, Mr. Leonidas Force, who is
coming home at Christmas, when we shall be married and go to live at
Greenbushes, as you know very well, Col. Anglesea, for you have heard the
whole matter freely discussed. You know this so well that I am surprised
at the inconsistency of your action in offering me your hand."

"That childish engagement, made so long ago--if it was ever formally made
at all, which is doubtful--really amounts to nothing whatever! It could
form no obstacle to your union with me."

"You mistake, sir. Although the engageme