I should certainly have snatched my hand away, if the manner in which he gave his answer had not paralysed me with astonishment.
"I have seen Rachel," he said with perfect tranquillity.

"You are aware, dear friend, that she was engaged to me?
Well, she has taken a sudden resolution to break the engagement.

Reflection has convinced her that she will best consult her welfare and mine by retracting a rash promise, and leaving me free to make some happier choice elsewhere.

That is the only reason she will give, and the only answer she will make to every question that I can ask of her." "What have you done on your side ?" I inquired.

"Have you submitted." "Yes," he said with the most unruffled composure, "I have submitted." His conduct, under the circumstances, was so utterly inconceivable, that I stood bewildered with my hand in his.