ght spirit in her eyes, such as he had not seen
since first the name of Gertrude had been mentioned to her.

"Yes," said he. "You have made your proposition, and now it is only
fair that I should make mine. Indeed, I made it already when I
suggested that little place abroad. Let it be abroad or at home, or
of what nature it may,--so that you shall be there, and I with you,
it shall be enough for me. That is my proposition; and, if it be not
accepted, then I shall return to Miss Tringle and all the glories of
Lombard Street."

"Frank--" she said. Then, before she could speak another word, he had
risen from his seat, and she was in his arms. "Frank," she continued,
pushing back his kisses, "how impossible it is that I should not be
obedient to you in all things! I know,--I know that I am agreeing to
that which will cause you some day to repent."

"By heavens, no!" said he. "I am changed in all that."

"A man cannot change at once. Your heart is soft, but your nature
remains the same. Frank, I could be so happy at this moment if I
could forget the picture which my imagination points to me of your
future life. Your love, and your generous words, and the look out of
your dear eyes, are sweet to me now, as when I was a child, whom you
first made so proud by telling her that she owned your heart. If I
could only revel in the return of your affections--"

"It is no return," said he. "There has never been a moment in which
my affections have not been the same."

"Well, then,--in these permitted signs of your affection,--if it were
not that I cannot shut out the future! Do not press me to name any
early day, because no period of my future life will be so happy to me
as this."

"Is there any reason why I should not intrude?" said Mrs. Docimer,
opening the door when the above conversation had been extended for
perhaps another hour.

"Not in the least, as far as I'm concerned," said Frank. "A few words
have been spoken between us, all of which may be repeated to you if
Imogene can remember them."

"Every one of them," said Imogene; "but I hardly think that I shall
repeat them."

"I suppose they have been very much a matter of course," said Mrs.
Docimer;--"the old story repeated between you two for the fourth
or fifth time. Considering all things, do you think that I should
congratulate you?"

"I ask for no congratulation," said Imogene.

"You may certainly congratulate me," said Frank. After that the
conversation be