The least light on my eyes gives me the most acute pain--pain that irritates my nerves for hours afterward.

Be satisfied with me as I am for the present, though I promise you your wish shall be gratified--" "When ?" she interrupted me eagerly.

I stooped and kissed her hand.
"On the evening of our marriage day," I answered.
She blushed and turned away her head coquettishly.
"Ah! that is so long to wait!" she said, half pettishly.
"Not very long, I HOPE," I observed, with meaning emphasis.

"We are now in November.

May I ask you to make my suspense brief?
to allow me to fix our wedding for the second month of the new year ?" "But my recent widowhood!--Stella's death!"-- she objected faintly, pressing a perfumed handkerchief gently to her eyes.
"In February your husband will have been dead nearly six months," I said, decisively; "it is quite a sufficient period of mourning for one so young as yourself.