d to the appeal; and so careful was she of
his honor in this respect, that she repeated--with what appeared to me
unnecessary insistence--that the request should be regarded as hers,
and hers only. In fact, this was the uppermost sentiment in the whole
epistle. I ventured to say as much, and endeavored to induce her to
moderate in some degree the amount of this pretension; but she resisted
firmly and decidedly. Now, I have recorded this circumstance here,--less
for itself than to mention how by its means this little controversy
led to a great intimacy between us,--inducing us, while defending our
separate views, to discuss each other's motives, and even characters,
with the widest freedom. I called her enthusiast, and in return she
styled me worldly and calculating; and, indeed, I tried to seem so,
and fortified my opinions by prudential maxims and severe reflections
I should have been sorely indisposed to adopt in my own case. I believe
she saw all this. I am sure she read me aright, and perceived that I was
arguing against my own convictions. At all events, day after day went
over, and no answer came to the letter. I used to go each morning to
the post in the village to inquire, but always returned with the same
disheartening tidings, "Nothing to-day!"

One of these mornings it was, that I was returning disconsolately from
the village, Crofton, whom I believed at the time miles away on the
mountains, overtook me. He came up from behind, and, passing his arm
within mine, walked on some minutes without speaking. I saw plainly
there was something on his mind, and I half dreaded lest he might have
discovered his sister's secret and have disapproved of my share in it.

"Algy," said he, calling me by my Christian name, which he very rarely
did, "I have something to say to you. Can I be quite certain that you
'll take my frankness in good part?"

"You can," I said, with a great effort to seem calm and assured.

"You give me your word upon it?"

"I do," said I, trying to appear bold; "and my hand be witness of it"

"Well," he resumed, drawing a long breath, "here it is. I have remarked
that for above a week back you have never waited for the postboy's
return to the cottage, but always have come down to the village
yourself."

I nodded assent, but said nothing.

"I have remarked, besides," said he, "that when told at the office there
was no letter for you, you came away sad-looking and fretted, scarcely
spoke for some