ing better, and we lay for a considerable
period thus pleasantly conjoined. During this time I purposely turned
the conversation upon Laura and Frank. I began by joking him about what
Laura would say if she saw us in such a situation defrauding her of her
just rights. He replied that he did not know what she would say, but
that he knew what she ought to say, or at least what he would say if he
were to find her in a similar situation, and that was that as she could
not assist in contributing to his happiness at present, she was very
glad to find that he had been able to get somebody else who could.

"Then," said I, "you would not be offended, if she were to follow your
example."

"No, certainly not," was his reply. "I don't mean to say that I would
not rather prefer that I should have her entirely to myself, but I am
so fond of her that if I found it would contribute to her happiness to
enjoy herself with another, I should not make the slightest objection,
provided she would only allow me to contribute to her enjoyment as much
as I could." He went on to say that he was sadly afraid she would never
allow him that pleasure, that he did once hope she might have been
induced to accept him, but for the last few weeks, with the exception
of the previous night, she had been colder than ever, and he was afraid
to press her on the subject for fear of being at once rejected.

I ventured cautiously to express my opinion that he was too distrustful
of his own merits, and that he stood higher in Laura's favour than he
seemed to imagine.

He eagerly caught at my words, and asked on what grounds I thought so.
He said he saw that from my old acquaintance with her as a boy, I was
on more intimate terms with her than anyone else and more likely to
understand her sentiments, and that he had often thought of speaking to
me on the subject. Indeed, he said he would almost have been jealous of
my influence with her had I been a few years older and had it not been
that, instead of appearing to be annoyed at his attentions to her, I
had rather given him every opportunity to pursue them.

As I felt he was watching me, I endeavoured to keep my countenance as
well as I could, but I was aware that the blood mounting in my cheeks
must to some extent betray the secret interest I took in the subject. I
though the best plan was to acknowledge that from our early intimacy,
and the kindness she had always shown me, I did take a great interest
in her,