er caprice, womanly weakness, nor
passion.

With the instinct of an embarrassed man, Mr. Rightbody touched the topic
he would have preferred to avoid.

"I suppose we must talk over to-morrow," he hesitated, "this matter of
yours and Mr. Marvin's? Mrs. Marvin has formally spoken to your mother."

Miss Alice lifted her bright eyes intelligently, but not joyfully;
and the color of action, rather than embarrassment, rose to her round
cheeks.

"Yes, HE said she would," she answered simply.

"At present," continued Mr. Rightbody still awkwardly, "I see no
objection to the proposed arrangement."

Miss Alice opened her round eyes at this.

"Why, papa, I thought it had been all settled long ago! Mamma knew it,
you knew it. Last July, mamma and you talked it over."

"Yes, yes," returned her father, fumbling his papers; "that is--well, we
will talk of it to-morrow." In fact, Mr. Rightbody HAD intended to
give the affair a proper attitude of seriousness and solemnity by due
precision of speech, and some apposite reflections, when he should
impart the news to his daughter, but felt himself unable to do it now.
"I am glad, Alice," he said at last, "that you have quite forgotten your
previous whims and fancies. You see WE are right."

"Oh! I dare say, papa, if I'm to be married at all, that Mr. Marvin is
in every way suitable."

Mr. Rightbody looked at his daughter narrowly. There was not the
slightest impatience nor bitterness in her manner: it was as well
regulated as the sentiment she expressed.

"Mr. Marvin is--" he began.

"I know what Mr. Marvin IS," interrupted Miss Alice; "and he has
promised me that I shall be allowed to go on with my studies the same as
before. I shall graduate with my class; and, if I prefer to practise my
profession, I can do so in two years after our marriage."

"In two years?" queried Mr. Rightbody curiously.

"Yes. You see, in case we should have a child, that would give me time
enough to wean it."

Mr. Rightbody looked at this flesh of his flesh, pretty and palpable
flesh as it was; but, being confronted as equally with the brain of his
brain, all he could do was to say meekly,--

"Yes, certainly. We will see about all that to-morrow."

Miss Alice rose. Something in the free, unfettered swing of her arms as
she rested them lightly, after a half yawn, on her lithe hips, suggested
his next speech, although still distrait and impatient.

"You continue your exercise with the health-l