Why, how you stare at me, Valentine! Is there anything so wonderful in my having had a great-grandfather ?" "No, darling; but the fact is that I--" In another moment I should have told her the entire truth; but I remembered just in time that I had pledged myself to profound secrecy with regard to the nature and progress of my investigation, and I had yet to learn whether that pledge did or did not involve the observance of secrecy even with those most interested in my researches.

Pending further communication with Sheldon, I was certainly bound to be silent.
"I have a kind of interest in the name of Meynell," I said, "for I was once engaged in a business matter with people of that name." And having thus hoodwinked my beloved with a bouncer, I proceeded to extract the Bible from its shelf.

The book was so tightly wedged into its place, that to remove it was like drawing a tooth.

It was a noble-looking old volume, blue with the mould of ages, and redolent of a chill dampness like the atmosphere of a tomb.
"I should so like to examine the old book when the candles come in," I said.
Fortunately for the maintenance of my secret, the darkness was closing in upon us when I discovered the volume, and the room was only fitfully illuminated by the flame that brightened and faded every minute.
I carried the book to a side-table, and Charlotte and I resumed our talk until the candles came, and close behind them uncle Joe.

I fear I must have seemed a very inattentive lover during that brief interval, for I could not concentrate my thoughts upon the subject of our discourse.