looking, to his thinking, as well as he had
ever seen her.

"This is, indeed, a pleasant surprise," said he, as he came forward. "I
was picturing to myself a sick-room and a sufferer, and I find you more
beautiful than ever."

"You surely could n't imagine I 'd have sent for you if I were not
conscious that my paleness became me, and that my dressing-gown was very
pretty. Sit down--no, here--at my side; I have much to say to you, and
not very long to say it. If I had not been actually overwhelmed with
business, real business too, I 'd have sent for you long ago. I could
imagine with very little difficulty what was uppermost in your mind
lately, and how, having determined to remain at home, your thoughts
would never quit one distressing theme,--you know what I mean. Well, I
repeat, I could well estimate all your troubles and difficulties on this
head, and I longed for a few minutes alone with you, when we could speak
freely and candidly to each other, no disguise, no deception on either
side. Shall we be frank with each other?"

"By all means."

"Well, then, you don't like this marriage. Come, apeak out honestly your
mind."

"Why, when I think of the immense disproportion in age; when I see on
one side--"

"Fiddle faddle! if I were seventy, it wouldn't make it better. I tell
you I don't want fine speeches nor delicate evasions; therefore be the
blunt, straightforward fellow you used to be, and say, 'I don't like it
at all.'"

"Well, here goes, I do _not_ like it at all."

"Neither do I," said she, lying back listlessly in her chair, and
looking calmly at him. "I see what is passing in your mind, Charles. I
read your thoughts in their ebb and flow, and they come to this: 'Why
have you taken such consummate pains about an object you would regret to
see accomplished? To what end all your little coquetries and graces, and
so forth?' Well, the question is reasonable enough, and I 'll give you
only one answer. It amused me, and it worried others. It kept poor
May and yourself in a small fever, and I have never through life had
self-command enough to deny myself the pleasure of terrifying people at
small cost, making them fancy they were drowning in two feet of water."

"I hope May is grateful; I am sure I am," said Charles, stiffly.

"Well, if you have not been in the past, I intend you to be so for the
future. I mean to relinquish the great prize I had so nearly won; to
give up the distinguished honor of being y