He gave Mrs Null some damson preserves, and he took some himself, and then he helped himself to a great hot roll, from a plate that Letty had just brought in, and carefully opening it he buttered it on the inside, and covered one-half of it with the damson preserves.

This he began slowly to eat, drinking at times from the foaming glass of buttermilk at the side of his plate, from which the coffee-cup had been removed.

When he had finished the half roll he again spoke.

"I think, my dear young lady, that your aunt is desirous of having your marriage set aside." "How can she do that ?" exclaimed the girl, her face flushing.

"Has she been talking to you about it ?" "I cannot deny that she has spoken to me on the subject," he answered, "I being a lawyer.