" she said, in rather a chiding tone.

"I could--if you would not mind sharing my poverty with me. If you loved
me, Elizabeth, you would not mind."

"I am afraid I do not love you--in that way," said Elizabeth,
meditatively. "No, it would never do. I never dreamt of such a thing."

"Nobody expects you to have dreamt of it," rejoined Percival, with a
short laugh. "The dreaming can be left to me. The question is rather
whether you will think of it now--consider it a little, I mean. It seems
to be a new idea to you--though I must say I wonder that you have not
seen how much I loved you, Elizabeth! I am willing to wait until you
have grown used to it. I cannot believe that you do not care for me! You
would not be so cruel; you must love me a little--just a very little,
Elizabeth."

"Well, I do," said Elizabeth, smiling at his vehemence. "I do love
you--more than a little--as I love you all. You have been so good to me
that I could not help caring for you--in spite of the doll and the ghost
in the attic." Her smile grew gravely mischievous as she finished the
sentence.

"Oh, that is not what I want," cried Percival, starting up from his
lowly position at her feet. "That is not the kind of love that I am
asking for at all."

"I am afraid you will get no other," said Elizabeth, with a ring of
sincerity in her voice that left no room for coquetry. "I am sorry, but
I cannot help it, Percival."

"Your love is not given to anyone else?" he demanded, fiercely.

"You have no right to ask. But if it is a satisfaction to you, I can
assure you that I have never cared for anyone in that way. I do not know
what it means," said Elizabeth, looking directly before her. "I have
never been able to understand."

"Let me make you understand," murmured Percival, his momentary anger
melting before the complete candour of her eyes. "Let me teach you to
love, Elizabeth."

She was silent--irresolute, as it appeared to him.

"You would learn very easily," said he. "Try--let me try."

"I don't think I could be taught," she answered, slowly. "And really I
am not sure that I care to learn."

"That is simply because you do not know your own heart," said Percival,
dogmatically. "Trust me, and wait awhile. I will have no answer now,
Elizabeth. I will ask you again."

"And suppose my answer is the same?"

"It won't be the same," said Percival, in a masterful sort of way. "You
will understand by-and-bye."

She did not see the fire in his