-I _think_ I should; but, hang it, when a girl looks you
straight in the face and talks to you as if you were her grandmother, it
puts one off. Well, I have kissed lots of girls without proposing and now
it's _vice versa_, for it was as good as an offer, and all I got by it
was her nipping in just when I thought I had her to myself."

CHAPTER XIV.

THE TRYST.

Twas full of love--to rhyme with dove,
And all that tender sort of thing,
Of sweet and meet--and heart and dart,
But not a word about a ring!
--Hood.

Time flew much lighter with our heroine as she counted the days to
the next rendezvous with Du Meresq; anticipation is ever sweeter than
reality. The cottage was no longer dull, nor existence empty, even the
unrenewed and diminishing snow, dusky as a goose in a manufacturing town,
was the symptoms of approaching spring and verdure. Who need think of the
torrents of rain which must precede it? The little episode with Jack
outside the door afforded her secret entertainment, and although she
did not look upon it as a _bona-fide_ proposal, that did not bias her
intention of relating the anecdote for Bertie's delectation. It might be
just as well to let him see if he couldn't speak out, others could, and
if he were jealous, why so much the better.

Clouds were chasing each other in the sky, and the increased mildness
of the atmosphere inspired Bluebell with the dread that rain was
approaching, for a rendezvous under dripping umbrellas, if feasible,
was not the most desirable _pose_ for a romantic interview.

However, the morning rose clear and sunny, the snow was thawing, and in
many places the runners of the sleighs grated on bare ground.

Bluebell was exultant. The elements evidently didn't mean to oppose her,
but she was somewhat disconcerted at dinner by Miss Opie's remarks on her
Sunday dress, which, being of a becoming hue, she had rashly donned.

"Are you going visiting, Bluebell, that you are so smart?"

"Oh, dear no; only for a walk."

"How foolish to draggle that mazarin blue poplinette in sloppy snow! Once
let it get any snow stains on, and it will look quite shabby on bright
spring days."

"It's no use having things, if one doesn't wear them," returned the girl,
evasively. But when she came down ten minutes later equipped for her
walk, she encountered Miss Opie again in full marching order.

"My, dear, as you are dressed so nicely, I dare say