better than you, my friend."

The Doctor assured him that he would do as he desired, and would be glad
to have the father's authority for the interruption of an intercourse
which had almost the proportions of a tender friendship.

Maverick was thoughtful for a moment.

"Well, yes, Doctor, be gentle--I know you are always--with the dear
girl; but if there be any demur on her part, pray give her to understand
that what you will ask in this respect has my express sanction. If I
know myself, Johns, there is no object I have so near at heart as the
happiness of my child; not alone now; but in her future, I hope to God
(I speak reverently, Doctor) that she may have immunity from suffering
of whatever kind. I wish wealth could buy it; but it can't. Mind the
promise, Johns; keep her away from this Frenchwoman."

The Brindlocks, of course, with whom the Doctor was quartered during his
stay, took an early occasion to show civilities to Mr. Maverick and his
daughter; and Mrs. Brindlock kindly offered her services to Adele in
negotiating such additions to her wardrobe as the proud father insisted
upon her making; and in the necessary excursions up and down the city,
Reuben, by the pleasant devices of Mrs. Brindlock, was an almost
constant out-of-door attendant.

He was no longer the shy boy Adele had at first encountered. Nay, grown
bold by his city experiences, he was disposed to assume a somewhat
patronizing air toward the bright-eyed country-girl who was just now
equipping herself for somewhat larger contact with the world. Adele did
not openly resent the proffered patronage, but, on the contrary,
accepted it with an excess of grateful expressions, whose piquant irony,
for two whole days, Reuben, with his blunter perceptions, never
suspected. What boy of eighteen is a match for a girl of sixteen?
Patronize, indeed! But suspicion came at last, and full knowledge broke
upon him under a musical little laugh of Adele's, (half smothered in her
kerchief,) when the gallant young man had blundered into some idle
compliment. The instinct of girls in matters of this sort is
marvellously quick.

But if the laugh of Adele cured Reuben of his patronage, it did not cure
him of thought about her. It kindled a new train, indeed, of whose
drift he was himself unconscious.

"Isn't she pretty?" said Mrs. Brindlock, on a certain occasion, upon
their return from one of the excursions named.

"Oh, so, so!" said Reuben.

"But I think she's