e was in some
way deceiving the young girl; but if she would not suffer him to tell
her, he was not to be censured if she remained in ignorance. And so the
golden moment fled, and when he spoke again he said: "If Katy will not
now read that leaf I offered to show her, she must not shrink back in
horror if ever it does meet her eye."

"I don't, I promise," Katy answered, a vague feeling of fear creeping
over her as to what the reading of that mysterious page involved. But
this was soon forgotten, as Wilford, remembering his suspicions of Dr.
Grant, thought to probe a little by asking if she had ever loved any one
before himself?

"No, never," she answered. "I never dreamed of such a thing until I saw
you, Mr. Cameron;" and Wilford believed the trusting girl, whose loving
nature shone in every lineament of her face, upturned to receive the
kisses he pressed upon it, resolving within himself to be to her what
he ought to be.

"By the way," he continued, "don't call me Mr. Cameron again, as you did
just now. I would rather be your Wilford. It sounds more familiar. And
still," he added, "it may be better at present to reserve that name for
the time when we are alone. To your family I may as well remain Mr.
Cameron."

This was an after thought, suggested by his knowing how he should shiver
to hear Aunt Betsy call him "Wilford," as she surely would if Katy did.
Then he told her of his projected tour to Europe, and Katy felt her
pulses quicken as she thought of London, Paris and Rome, as places which
her plain country eyes might yet look upon. But when it came to their
marriage, which Wilford said must be soon--within a few weeks--she
demurred, for this arrangement was not in accordance with her desires.
She should so much enjoy a long courtship with Wilford coming often to
Silverton, and such quantities of letters passing between them as should
make her the envy of all Silverton. This was Katy's idea, and she
opposed her lover with all her strength, telling him she was so young,
not eighteen till July, and she knew so little of housekeeping. He must
let her stay at home until she learned at least the art of making bread!

Poor, ignorant Katy! Wilford could not forbear a smile as he thought how
different were her views from his, and tried to explain that the art of
bread-making, though very desirable in most wives, was not an essential
accomplishment for his. Servants would do that; besides he did not
intend to have a hou