, talking slowly,
with soft smiles; but her head swam, she heard their pleasant questions
remotely as through a wall, and could feel her pulse to her fingers and
feet. He had almost kissed her hand. "The next time--the next
time--sweet heaven send this poor hand strength to resist just enough
and--and not too much." So raved the prayer locked in her heart, or so
it would have raved had she dared give it the liberty even of unspoken
words.

Meanwhile, John March lay on his bed with the back of his head in his
hands.

"I've offended her! There was no mistaking that last look. This wouldn't
have happened if she hadn't let her hand linger in mine. Oh, I wish to
heaven girls were not so senselessly innocent and sisterly! Great Caesar!
I'd give five hundred dollars not to have drooled that drivel about
being her brother! George! She ought to know that only a fool or a scamp
could make such an absurd proposal. I wonder if she still wants to lend
me her money! I'd rather face a whole bank directorate with an overdrawn
account than those Fairs this evening. I know exactly how they'll look.
For it will be just like her to tell Mrs. Fair, who'll tell her husband,
and they'll bury the thing right there with me under it, and 'Miss
Garnet' will excuse herself on the plea of fatigue, and the conversation
will drag, and I'll wish I had cut my throat in Pulaski City, and"--a
steeple clock tolled the hour----"Oh, can it be that that's only six!"

At tea he missed them. Returning to his room, he had hardly got his
hands under his head again, trying not to think of his financial
embarrassments because it was Sunday, when a new idea brought him to his
feet. Church! Evening service! Would she go? He had not asked her when
she had intimated that the Fairs would not. In his selfish enjoyment of
her society he had quite forgotten to care for her soul! He ought to go
himself. And all the more ought she, for he was numbered among the saved
now, and she was not. She _must_ go. But how could she unless he should
take her? His Christian duty was clear. He would write an offer of his
services, and by her answer he would know how he stood in her regard.

Her reply was prompt, affirmative, confined to the subject. And yet, in
some inexplicable way it conveyed the impression that she had never
suspected him of the faintest intention to carry her hand to his lips.

The sermon was only so-so, but they enjoyed the singing; particularly
their own. Both