I want to say something serious to you--something of moment to us both." "Then it's something very grave and dull, I know," she remarked; "for that is the way people always begin.

Now I don't want to hear anything serious to-night; I want to be merry.

You _look_ serious enough; and if you begin to talk seriously you'll be perfectly unbearable.

So you must hear what I am going to read to you first." And the little tyrant put her finger on his lip, and looked so bewitching, that he could not refuse her.

And the important secret hung on his lips, but was not spoken.
"Listen," said she, spreading out the paper before her and running her tiny finger down the column.