for her happy marriage." He laughed.

Madelon's face contracted. She set her mouth harder, and looked
straight at Lot. "When you have done laughing," said she, "will you
tell me what you want of me? I have to go home and get dinner."

Lot still looked at her with his mocking smile. "I wished to inquire
if you are ready to become my bride on Monday," said he.

"Yes, I am ready. Is that all?"

"I wished also to inquire if you have any plans concerning the
ceremony which you would like carried out."

"I have none."

"Then will it suit you to come here on Monday at two o'clock in the
afternoon, since the doctor tells me I shall scarcely be able to go
out myself, and be united to me by Parson Fair?"

"I am ready to carry out any plans you may make."

"Your father and your brothers and my cousin Burr and his mother
will, of course, be present at our wedding," said Lot, with wary eyes
upon her face.

Madelon looked at him as proudly as ever. "Very well," said she. She
waited a minute longer; then she laid her hand on the doorlatch.

"Wait a minute!" Lot cried. He looked at her hesitatingly. A flush
crept over his white face. "Madelon," he began; then his cough
interrupted him. He tried to force it back with fierce swallowings,
but had to yield. He bent over double, and shook with rattling
volleys. Madelon waited, her eyes averted, without a sign of pity.
The near approach of her wedding-day caused a revolt of her whole
maiden soul towards him so intense that it was as a contraction of
the muscles. She was utterly hard to his suffering. At last he raised
himself, panting, and cast a pale look around at her.

"Well, what do you want?" she said.

He motioned feebly towards is desk on the other side of the room.
"Top drawer," he whispered, hoarsely; "left-hand corner--find--leather
case--bring to me."

Madelon crossed the room to the desk, opened the drawer, found the
leather case, and carried it to Lot. "Here," said she.

"Open it," Lot whispered.

Madelon pressed the spring in the case, and held it out open towards
Lot without a glance at its contents.

"Look," he said.

Madelon glanced at the little gold watch, curled round with a long
gold chain, which the case contained, and continued to hold it out
towards Lot. "I've looked," said she. "Here, take it; I must go
home."

"Oh, Madelon, it's for you."

"I don't want it."

"Take it--Madelon, won't you have it? I got it for you."

"No, I don't want i