"Can it be that your aunt does not know about it ?" "Indeed, she does not," said Annie.

"I married Freddy Null in New York, for reasons which we need not talk of now, for that matter is all past and gone; but when I came here, I found almost immediately, that he would be more necessary to me in this house than anywhere else." "I cannot imagine," said Roberta, "why a gaseous husband should be necessary to you here." "It is not a very easy thing to explain," said the other, "that is, it is easy enough, but--" "Oh," said Roberta, catching the reason of her companion's hesitation, "I don't think you ought to object to tell me your reason.

Does it relate to your cousin Junius ?" "Well," said Annie, "not altogether, and not so much to him as to my aunt." "I think I see," said Roberta.

"A marriage between you two would suit her very well.

Are you afraid that she would try to force him on you ?" "Oh, no;" said Annie, "that would be bad enough, but it would not be so embarrassing, and so dreadfully unpleasant, as forcing me on him, and that is what aunt wants to do.