Bob Evers," I continued, as my suggestion was tacitly accepted, "paid me the compliment of confiding in me somewhat freely before he started on this hare-brained expedition of his." "So it appears." "Ah, but he didn't only tell me what he was going to do; he told me why he was doing it," said I, as we sauntered on our way side by side.

"It was difficult to believe," I added, when I had waited long enough for the question upon which I had reckoned.
"Indeed ?" "He said he had proposed to you." And again I waited, but never a word.
"That child!" I added with deliberate scorn.
But a further pause was broken only by my companion's measured steps and my own awkward shuffle.
"That baby!" I insisted.
"Did you tell him he was one, Captain Clephane ?" asked Mrs.Lascelles, dryly, but drawn so far at last.
"I spared his feelings.

But can it be true, Mrs.Lascelles ?" "It is true." "Is it a fact that you didn't give him a definite answer ?" "I don't know what business it is of yours," said Mrs.Lascelles, bluntly; "and since he seems to have told you everything, neither do I know why you should ask me.

However, it is quite true that I did not finally refuse him on the spot." This carefully qualified confirmation should have afforded me abundant satisfaction.

I was over-eager in the matter, however, and I cried out impetuously: "But you will ?" "Will what ?" "Refuse the boy!" We had reached the seat, but neither of us sat down.