But I must first tell you my excuse, and the change that had befallen Pinkerton.
About a week after the picnic to which he escorted Mamie, Pinkerton avowed the state of his affections.

From what I had observed on board the steamer, where methought Mamie waited on him with her limpid eyes, I encouraged the bashful lover to proceed; and the very next evening he was carrying me to call on his affianced.
"You must befriend her, Loudon, as you have always befriended me," he said, pathetically.
"By saying disagreeable things?
I doubt if that be the way to a young lady's favour," I replied; "and since this picnicking I begin to be a man of some experience." "Yes, you do nobly there; I can't describe how I admire you," he cried.
"Not that she will ever need it; she has had every advantage.

God knows what I have done to deserve her.

O man, what a responsibility this is for a rough fellow and not always truthful!" "Brace up, old man, brace up!" said I.
But when we reached Mamie's boarding-house, it was almost with tears that he presented me.

"Here is Loudon, Mamie," were his words.