pants as there were
sentences, the water stood in the fair eyes he was looking into so
piteously.

Josephine was firm, but angelical. "We thank you, Monsieur Riviere,"
said she, softly, "for showing us that the world is still embellished
with hearts like yours. Here is the money;" and she held it out in her
creamy hand.

"But we are very grateful," put in Rose, softly and earnestly.

"That we are," said Josephine, "and we beg to keep the purse as a
souvenir of one who tried to do us a kindness without mortifying us. And
now, Monsieur Riviere, you will permit us to bid you adieu."

Edouard was obliged to take the hint. "It is I who am the intruder,"
said he. "Mesdemoiselles, conceive, if you can, my pride and my
disappointment." He then bowed low; they courtesied low to him in
return; and he retired slowly in a state of mixed feeling indescribable.

With all their sweetness and graciousness, he felt overpowered by their
high breeding, their reserve, and their composure, in a situation that
had set his heart beating itself nearly out of his bosom. He acted the
scene over again, only much more adroitly, and concocted speeches for
past use, and was very hot and very cold by turns.

I wish he could have heard what passed between the sisters as soon as
ever he was out of earshot. It would have opened his eyes, and given him
a little peep into what certain writers call "the sex."

"Poor boy," murmured Josephine, "he has gone away unhappy."

"Oh, I dare say he hasn't gone far," replied Rose, gayly. "I shouldn't
if I was a boy."

Josephine held up her finger like an elder sister; then went on to say
she really hardly knew why she had dismissed him.

"Well, dear," said Rose, dryly, "since you admit so much, I must say I
couldn't help thinking--while you were doing it--we were letting 'the
poor boy' off ridiculously cheap."

"At least I did my duty?" suggested Josephine, inquiringly.

"Magnificently; you overawed even me. So now to business, as the
gentlemen say. Which of us two takes him?"

"Takes whom?" inquired Josephine, opening her lovely eyes.

"Edouard," murmured Rose, lowering hers.

Josephine glared on the lovely minx with wonder and comical horror.

"Oh! you shall have him," said Rose, "if you like. You are the eldest,
you know."

"Fie!"

"Do now; TO OBLIGE ME."

"For shame! Rose. Is this you? talking like that!"

"Oh! there's no compulsion, dear; I never force young ladies'
inclinations. So you