t of knocking me down for kissing you."

"It was because I screamed. Why didn't you write that you were coming?"

"I wanted to arrive unexpectedly and see for myself."

"Well, did you see?"

He chuckled.

"Yes, and felt too. He doesn't intend that any one else shall kiss you."

Rosina whirled, her eyes sparkling with anger.

"I'll never forgive you if you say another thing like that," she cried
hotly.

The cousin judged it advisable to suggest diverging from the
Ludwigsstrasse, and extending their promenade in the direction of the
Wittelsbach Palace. Dark streets have a naturally subduing effect, and
he knew what an upheaval his arrival had produced even better than she
did.

They went towards the Caserne, and were in the Ameliesstrasse before
either began another subject. And even then it was really not a new one,
because Jack, having a definite end in view, could not lose sight of it
for a minute.

"Why do you think that you don't want to get married again?" he said,
courageously returning to the fight.

"I don't think anything about it. I know that I don't want to get
married again!"

"Von Ibn seems to be a mighty nice sort of a fellow. I've met ever so
many people who told me lots about him. He's got quite a property for
these men over here, and he'll have two jolly places and a title, too.
And the family won't kick over his marrying any one; they've been at him
to get married for years and years. He's the only son, you know."

"All right," she said dryly.

"Have you anything personal against him?"

"No; but I know that I can see all that I want of him without marrying
him; and as long as we do not get married we have the delightful
privilege of being able to separate the instant that we grow tired of
one another. And the ability to stop when you've had enough is a great
thing."

"Has he bored you any yet?"

"Not yet. Oh, Jack, you ought to hear him talk. He said yesterday that
we must go somewhere early before the cool grew too hot."

Jack regarded her sympathetically.

"I'd certainly marry him," he said, with decision. "If he can say things
like that offhand, only think what he'd be to live with day after day."

Rosina was silent for a moment, and then she gave a violent shiver.

"Oh," she exclaimed, in a voice that echoed like a low cry, "I don't
believe that I ever _can_ marry again--it's so _terrible_!"

Jack took her hand and drew it closely within his arm.

"Don't say that," he s