"I have something to say to you this afternoon,--something that it is wiser to say at once, perhaps, though I have been willing enough to put off the hour of saying it, as a man may well be when all his future life depends upon the issue of a few words.

I think you must know what I mean, Miss Nowell.

Marian, I think you can guess what is coming.

I told you last night how sweet Lidford had been to me." "Yes," she said, with a bright inquiring look in her eyes.

"But what have I to do with that ?" "Everything.