you don't care to know their
exact height and fighting weight, the color of their hair and eyes, and
so forth; what you want is the stature and complexion of their souls.
They were a handsome pair, and whene'er they took their walks and drives
abroad like Dr. Watts, they attracted much attention. Just now there was
nobody but myself to admire them, and I was in ambush. They strolled
about in what there was of the moonlight, seeming much absorbed, and I
sat still in the shade, and put down my pipe: I couldn't hear their
talk, and didn't want to disturb them. Suddenly he raised his voice:
matters between them must have come to an interesting stage. "But,
Clarice, if you care for me--"

He was too quick. The madness which urged him on can easily be
understood and--except by the one concerned--pardoned; but what devil
possessed her, who shall say? She drew herself up with superb scorn.
"You are beginning at the wrong end, Sir. 'If I care for you!' Why
should I?"

"Very good," he said at once. "I was mistaken. I beg your pardon most
humbly."

There was as little humility as possible in his look and tone. He stood
like a gladiator--and not a wounded one either--with his head thrown
back and his chest out. I could fancy, rather than see, the flashing of
his eyes.

The flashes were all on his side now; Clarice's brief exhibition of
fireworks seemed to be over, and she was drooping. "Mr. Hartman," she
began, and could get no further.

In the act to go, he turned and faced her again.

"Miss Elliston, my presumption was doubtless unpardonable; I shall not
know how to forgive myself. Do me the undeserved honor, if you can, to
forget it--and me. I can only renew my apologies, and relieve you of my
presence."

He bowed, and was gone. The proper thing for Clarice to do next was to
swoon or shriek; but I knew her too well to expect anything of that
sort. Nor did she tear her hair, or beat her breast, or offer to the
solitary spectator any performance worth noting. I thought it best to
keep remarkably quiet in my corner till she too had gone. In fact, I
staid there for an hour or two after, though I did not enjoy that pipe
at all; the tobacco was not right, or something. You see, after all the
lectures I had had, I did not want to spoil things by mixing myself up
with them; the situation looked picturesque enough without me in it.

When I went back to the house I found that Jim had caught the boat and
gone. "He came to me," s