The Christmas holidays had come, and with them a welcome vacationfor Hedley Marstern. Although as yet a briefless young lawyer, hehad a case in hand which absorbed many of his thoughts--theconflicting claims of two young women in his native village on theHudson. It must not be imagined that the young women were pressingtheir claims except as they did so unconsciously, by virtue oftheir sex and various charms. Nevertheless, Marstern was not thefirst lawyer who had clients over whom midnight oil was burned,they remaining unaware of the fact.If not yet a constitutional attorney, he was at leastconstitutionally one. Falling helplessly in love with one girlsimplifies matters. There are no distracting pros and cons--nothing required but a concentration of faculties to win theenslaver, and so achieve mastery. Marstern did not appear amenableto the subtle influences which blind the eyes and dethrone reason,inspiring in its place an overwhelming impulse to capture afortuitous girl because (to a heated imagination) she surpassesall her sex. Indeed, he was level-headed enough to believe that hewould never capture any such girl; but he hoped to secure one whopromised to make as good a wife as he would try to be a husband,and with a fair amount of self-esteem, he was conscious ofimperfections. Therefore, instead of fancying that any of his fairacquaintances were angels, he had deliberately and, as some maythink, in a very cold-blooded fashion, endeavored to discover whatthey actually were. He had observed that a good deal of prosefollowed the poetry of wooing and the lunacy of the honeymoon; andhe thought it might be well to criticise a little before marriageas well as after it.There were a number of charming girls in the social circle of hisnative town; and he had, during later years, made himself quiteimpartially agreeable to them. Indeed, without much effort on hispart he had become what is known as a general favorite. He hadbeen too diligent a student to become a society man, but was readyenough in vacation periods to make the most of every countryfrolic, and even on great occasions to rush up from the city andreturn at some unearthly hour in the morning when his partners inthe dance were not half through their dreams. While on theseoccasions he had shared in the prevailing hilarity, henevertheless had the presentiment that some one of the laughing,light-footed girls would one day pour his coffee and send him tohis office in either a good or a bad mood to grapple with theproblems awaiting him there. He had in a measure decided that whenhe married it should be to a girl whom he had played with inchildhood and whom he knew a good deal about, and not to a chanceacquaintance of the world at large. So, beneath all hisdiversified gallantries he had maintained a quiet little policy ofobservation, until his thoughts had gradually gathered around twoof his young associates who, unconsciously to themselves, as wehave said, put in stronger and stronger claims every time he sawthem. They asserted these claims in the only way in which he wouldhave recognized them--by being more charming, agreeable, and, ashe fancied, by being better than the others. He had not made themaware, even by manner, of the distinction accorded to them; and asyet he was merely a friend.But the time had come, he believed, for definite action. While heweighed and considered, some prompter fellows might take the caseout of his hands entirely; therefore he welcomed this vacation andthe opportunities it afforded.The festivities began with what is termed in the country a "largeparty"; and Carrie Mitchell and Lottie Waldo were both there,resplendent in new gowns made for the occasion. Marstern thoughtthem both charming. They danced equally well and talked nonsensewith much the same ease and vivacity. He could not decide whichwas the prettier, nor did the eyes and attentions of others affordhim any aid. They were general favorites, as well as himself,although it was evident that to some they might become more,should they give encouragement. But they were apparently in theheyday of their girlhood, and thus far had preferred miscellaneousadmiration to individual devotion. By the time the evening wasover Marstern felt that if life consisted of large parties hemight as well settle the question by the toss of a copper.It must not be supposed that he was such a conceited prig as toimagine that such a fortuitous proceeding, or his best effortsafterward, could settle the question as it related to the girls.It would only decide his own procedure. He was like an oldmarauding baron, in honest doubt from which town he can carry offthe richest booty--that is, in case he can capture any one ofthem. His overtures for capitulation might be met with the "slingsand arrows of outrageous fortune" and he be sent limping off thefield. Nevertheless, no man regrets that he must take theinitiative, and he would be less than a man who would fear to doso. When it came to this point in the affair, Marstern shruggedhis shoulders and thought, "I must take my chances like the rest."But he wished to be sure that he had attained this point, and notlay siege to one girl only to wish afterward it had been theother.His course that evening proved that he not only had a legal castof mind but also a judicial one. He invited both Miss Mitchell andMiss Waldo to take a sleigh-ride with him the following evening,fancying that when sandwiched between them in the cutter he couldimpartially note his impressions. His unsuspecting clientslaughingly accepted, utterly unaware of the momentous character ofthe trial scene before them.As Marstern smoked a cigar before retiring that night, he admittedto himself that it was rather a remarkable court that was about tobe held. He was the only advocate for the claims of each, andfinally he proposed to take a seat on the bench and judge betweenthem. Indeed, before he slept he decided to take that augustposition at once, and maintain a judicial impartiality whilenoting his impressions.Christmas Eve happened to be a cold, clear, star-lit night; andwhen Marstern drove to Miss Waldo's door, he asked himself, "Coulda fellow ask for anything daintier and finer" than the red-lipped,dark-eyed girl revealed by the hall-lamp as she tripped lightlyout, her anxious mamma following her with words of unheededcaution about not taking cold, and coming home early. He had nottraversed the mile which intervened between the residences of thetwo girls before he almost wished he could continue the driveunder the present auspices, and that, as in the old times, hecould take toll at every bridge, and encircle his companion withhis arm as they bounced over the "thank-'ee mams." The frosty airappeared to give keenness and piquancy to Miss Lottie's wit, andthe chime of the bells was not merrier or more musical than hervoice. But when a little later he saw blue-eyed Carrie Mitchell inher furs and hood silhouetted in the window, his old dilemmabecame as perplexing as ever. Nevertheless, it was the mostdelightful uncertainty that he had ever experienced; and he had apresentiment that he had better make the most of it, since itcould not last much longer. Meanwhile, he was hedged about withblessings clearly not in disguise, and he gave utterance to thistruth as they drove away."Surely there never was so lucky a fellow. Here I am kept warm andhappy by the two finest girls in town.""Yes," said Lottie; "and it's a shame you can't sit on both sidesof us.""I assure you I wish it were possible. It would double mypleasure.""I'm very well content," remarked Carrie, quietly, "as long as Ican keep on the right side of people--""Well, you are not on the right side to-night," interruptedLottie."Good gracious!" thought Marstern, "she's next to my heart. Iwonder if that will give her unfair advantage;" but Carrieexplained:"Of course I was speaking metaphorically.""In that aspect of the case it would be a shame to me if any sideI have is not right toward those who have so honored me," hehastened to say."Oh, Carrie has all the advantage--she is next to your heart.""Would you like to exchange places?" was the query flashed back byCarrie."Oh, no, I'm quite as content as you are.""Why, then, since I am more than content--exultant, indeed--itappears that we all start from excellent premises to reach a happyconclusion of our Christmas Eve," cried Marstern."Now you are talking shop, Mr. Lawyer--Premises and Conclusions,indeed!" said Lottie; "since you are such a happy sandwich, youmust be a tongue sandwich, and be very entertaining."He did his best, the two girls seconding his efforts so geniallythat he found himself, after driving five miles, psychologicallyjust where he was physically--between them, as near to one in histhoughts and preferences as to the other."Let us take the river road home," suggested Lottie."As long as you agree," he answered, "you both are sovereignpotentates. If you should express conflicting wishes, I shouldhave to stop here in the road till one abdicated in favor of theother, or we all froze.""But you, sitting so snugly between us, would not freeze," saidLottie. "If we were obstinate we should have to assume ourpleasantest expressions, and then you could eventually take ushome as bits of sculpture. In fact, I'm getting cold already.""Are you also, Miss Carrie?""Oh, I'll thaw out before summer. Don't mind me.""Well, then, mind me," resumed Lottie. "See how white and smooththe river looks. Why can't we drive home on the ice? It will savemiles--I mean it looks so inviting.""Oh, dear!" cried Carrie, "I feel like protesting now. The longestway round may be both the shortest and safest way home.""You ladies shall decide. This morning I drove over the route wewould take to-night, and I should not fear to take a ton of coalover it.""A comparison suggesting warmth and a grate-fire. I vote for theriver," said Lottie, promptly."Oh, well, Mr. Marstern, if you've been over the ice so recently--I only wish to feel reasonably safe.""I declare!" thought Marstern, "Lottie is the braver and morebrilliant girl; and the fact that she is not inclined to foregothe comfort of the home-fire for the pleasure of my company,reveals the difficulty of, and therefore incentive to, the suit Imay decide to enter upon before New Year's."Meanwhile, his heart on Carrie's side began to grow warm andalert, as if recognizing an affinity to some object not far off.Granting that she had not been so brilliant as Lottie, she hadbeen eminently companionable in a more quiet way. If there had notbeen such bursts of enthusiasm at the beginning of the drive, herenjoyment appeared to have more staying powers. He liked her nonethe less that her eyes were often turned toward the stars or thedark silhouettes of the leafless trees against the snow. She didnot keep saying, "Ah, how lovely! What a fine bit that is!" but hehad only to follow her eyes to see something worth looking at."A proof that Miss Carrie also is not so preoccupied with thepleasure of my company that she has no thoughts for other things,"cogitated Marstern. "It's rather in her favor that she prefersNature to a grate fire. They're about even yet."Meanwhile the horse was speeding along on the white, hard expanseof the river, skirting the west shore. They now had only about amile to drive before striking land again; and the scene was sobeautiful with the great dim outlines of the mountains before themthat both the girls suggested that they should go leisurely for atime."We shouldn't hastily and carelessly pass such a picture as that,any more than one would if a fine copy of it were hung in agallery," said Carrie. "The stars are so brilliant along the browof that highland yonder that they form a dia--oh, oh! what is thematter?" and she clung to Marstern's arm.The horse was breaking through the ice."Whoa!" said Marstern, firmly. Even as he spoke, Lottie was out ofthe sleigh and running back on the ice, crying and wringing herhands."We shall be drowned," she almost screamed hysterically."Mr. Marstern, what shall we do? Can't we turn around and go backthe way we came?""Miss Carrie, will you do what I ask? Will you believe me when Isay that I do not think you are in any danger?""Yes, I'll do my best," she replied, catching her breath. She grewcalm rapidly as he tried to reassure Lottie, telling her thatwater from the rising of the tide had overflowed the main ice andthat thin ice had formed over it, also that the river at the mostwas only two or three feet deep at that point. But all was of noavail; Lottie stood out upon the ice in a panic, declaring that henever should have brought them into such danger, and that he mustturn around at once and go back as they came."But, Miss Waldo, the tide is rising, and we may find wet placesreturning. Besides, it would bring us home very late. Now, MissCarrie and I will drive slowly across this place and then returnfor you. After we have been across it twice you surely won'tfear.""I won't be left alone; suppose you two should break through anddisappear, what would become of me?""You would be better off than we," he replied, laughing."I think it's horrid of you to laugh. Oh, I'm so cold andfrightened! I feel as if the ice were giving way under my feet.""Why, Miss Lottie, we just drove over that spot where you stand.Here, Miss Carrie shall stay with you while I drive back and forthalone.""Then if you were drowned we'd both be left alone to freeze todeath.""I pledge you my word you shall be by that grate-fire within lessthan an hour if you will trust me five minutes.""Oh, well, if you will risk your life and ours too; but Carriemust stay with me.""Will you trust me, Miss Carrie, and help me out of this scrape?"Carrie was recovering from her panic, and replied, "I have givenyou my promise."He was out of the sleigh instantly, and the thin ice broke withhim also. "I must carry you a short distance," he said. "I cannotallow you to get your feet wet. Put one arm around my neck, so;now please obey as you promised."She did so without a word, and he bore her beyond the water,inwardly exulting and blessing that thin ice. His decision wascoming with the passing seconds; indeed, it had come. Returning tothe sleigh he drove slowly forward, his horse making a terriblecrunching and splashing, Lottie meanwhile keeping up a staccatoaccompaniment of little shrieks."Ah, my charming creature," he thought, "with you it was only,'What will become of me?' I might not have found out until it wastoo late the relative importance of 'me' in the universe had wenot struck this bad crossing; and one comes to plenty of badplaces to cross in a lifetime."The area of thin ice was not very narrow, and he was becoming buta dim and shadowy outline to the girls. Lottie was now screamingfor his return. Having crossed the overflowed space and absolutelyassured himself that there was no danger, he returned more rapidlyand found Carrie trying to calm her companion."Oh," sobbed Lottie, "my feet are wet and almost frozen. The iceunderneath may have borne you, but it won't bear all three of us.Oh, dear, I wish I hadn't--I wish I was home; and I feel as if I'dnever get there.""Miss Lottie, I assure you that the ice will hold a ton, but I'lltell you what I'll do. I shall put you in the sleigh, and MissCarrie will drive you over. You two together do not weigh muchmore than I do. I'll walk just behind you with my hands on theback of the sleigh, and if I see the slightest danger I'll liftyou out of the sleigh first and carry you to safety."This proposition promised so well that she hesitated, and helifted her in instantly before she could change her mind, thenhelped Carrie in with a quiet pressure of the hand, as much as tosay, "I shall depend on you.""But, Mr. Marstern, you'll get your feet wet," protested Carrie."That doesn't matter," he replied good-naturedly. "I shall be noworse off than Miss Lottie, and I'm determined to convince her ofsafety. Now go straight ahead as I direct."Once the horse stumbled, and Lottie thought he was going down headfirst. "Oh, lift me out, quick, quick!" she cried."Yes, indeed I will, Miss Lottie, as soon as we are opposite thatgrate fire of yours."They were soon safely over, and within a half-hour reachedLottie's home. It was evident she was a little ashamed of herbehavior, and she made some effort to retrieve herself. Bat shewas cold and miserable, vexed with herself and still more vexedwith Marstern. That a latent sense of justice forbade the latterfeeling only irritated her the more. Individuals as well ascommunities must have scapegoats; and it is not an unusual impulseon the part of some to blame and dislike those before whom theyhave humiliated themselves.She gave her companions a rather formal invitation to come in andget warm before proceeding further; but Marstern said verypolitely that he thought it was too late, unless Miss Carrie wascold. Carrie protested that she was not so cold but that she couldeasily wait till she reached her own fireside."Well, good-night, then," and the door was shut a trifleemphatically."Mr. Marstern," said Carrie, sympathetically, "your feet must bevery cold and wet after splashing through all that ice-water.""They are," he replied; "but I don't mind it. Well, if I had triedfor years I could not have found such a test of character as wehad to-night.""What do you mean?""Oh, well, you two girls did not behave exactly alike. I liked theway you behaved. You helped me out of a confounded scrape.""Would you have tried for years to find a test?" she asked,concealing the keenness of her query under a laugh."I should have been well rewarded if I had, by such a finecontrast," he replied.Carrie's faculties had not so congealed but that his words set herthinking. She had entertained at times the impression that she andLottie were his favorites. Had he taken them out that nighttogether in the hope of contrasts, of finding tests that wouldhelp his halting decision? He had ventured where the intuitions ofa girl like Carrie Mitchell were almost equal to second-sight; andshe was alert for what would come next.He accepted her invitation to come in and warm his feet at theglowing fire in the grate, which Carrie's father had made beforeretiring. Mrs. Mitchell, feeling that her daughter was with an oldfriend and playmate, did not think the presence of a chaperonessential, and left the young people alone. Carrie bustled about,brought cake, and made hot lemonade, while Marstern stretched hisfeet to the grate with a luxurious sense of comfort andcomplacency, thinking how homelike it all was and how paradisiacallife would become if such a charming little Hebe presided over hishome. His lemonade became nectar offered by such hands.She saw the different expression in his eyes. It was now homage,decided preference for one and not mere gallantry to two.Outwardly she was demurely oblivious and maintained simply herwonted friendliness. Marstern, however, was thawing in more sensesthan one, and he was possessed by a strong impulse to begin anopen siege at once."I haven't had a single suit of any kind yet, Carrie," he said,dropping the prefix of "Miss," which had gradually been adopted asthey had grown up."Oh, well, that was the position of all the great lawyers once,"she replied, laughing. Marstern's father was wealthy, and all knewthat he could afford to be briefless for a time."I may never be great; but I shall work as hard as any of them,"he continued. "To tell you the honest truth, however, this wouldbe the happiest Christmas Eve of my life if I had a downright suiton my hands. Why can't I be frank with you and say I'd like tobegin the chief suit of my life now and here--a suit for thislittle hand? I'd plead for it as no lawyer ever pleaded before. Isettled that much down on the ice.""And if I hadn't happened to behave on the ice in a manneragreeable to your lordship, you would have pleaded with the othergirl?" she remarked, withdrawing her hand and looking him directlyin the eyes."What makes you think so?" he asked somewhat confusedly."You do."He sprang up and paced the room a few moments, then confronted herwith the words, "You shall have the whole truth. Any woman that Iwould ask to be my wife is entitled to that," and he told her justwhat the attitude of his mind had been from the first.She laughed outright, then gave him her hand as she said, "Yourhonesty insures that we can be very good friends; but I don't wishto hear anything more about suits which are close of kin tolawsuits."He looked very dejected, feeling that he had blundered fatally inhis precipitation."Come now, Hedley, be sensible," she resumed, half laughing, halfserious. "As you say, we can be frank with each other. Why, onlythe other day we were boy and girl together coasting downhill onthe same sled. You are applying your legal jargon to a deepexperience, to something sacred--the result, to my mind, of adivine instinct. Neither you nor I have ever felt for each otherthis instinctive preference, this subtle gravitation of the heart.Don't you see? Your head has been concerned about me, and onlyyour head. By a kindred process you would select one bale ofmerchandise in preference to another. Good gracious! I've faultsenough. You'll meet some other girl that will stand some othertest far better than I. I want a little of what you call sillyromance in my courtship. See; I can talk about this suit as coollyand fluently as you can. We'd make a nice pair of lovers, about asfrigid as the ice-water you waded through so good-naturedly;" andthe girl's laugh rang out merrily, awakening echoes in the oldhouse. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell might rest securely when theirdaughter could laugh like that. It was the mirth of a genuineAmerican girl whose self-protection was better than the care of athousand duennas.He looked at her with honest admiration in his eyes, then rosequietly and said, "That's fine, Carrie. Your head's worth two ofmine, and you'd make the better lawyer. You see through a casefrom top to bottom. You were right--I wasn't in love with you; Idon't know whether I'm in love with you now, and you haven't aninfinitesimal spark for me. Nevertheless, I begin my suit here andnow, and I shall never withdraw it till you are engaged to anotherfellow. So there!"Carrie looked rather blank at this result of her reductio adabsurdum process; and he did not help her by adding, "A fellowisn't always in love. There must be a beginning; and when I arriveat this beginning under the guidance of reason, judgment, andobservation, I don't see as I'm any more absurd than the fellowwho tumbles helplessly in love, he doesn't know why. What becomesof all these people who have divine gravitations? You and I bothknow of some who had satanic repulsions afterward. They used theireyes and critical faculties after marriage instead of before. Theromance exhaled like a morning mist; and the facts came outdistinctly. They learned what kind of man and woman they actuallywere, and two idealized creatures were sent to limbo. Because Idon't blunder upon the woman I wish to marry, but pick her out,that's no reason I can't and won't love her. Your analysis andjudgment were correct only up to date. You have now to meet a suithonestly, openly announced. This may be bad policy on my part; yetI have so much faith in you and respect for you that I don'tbelieve you will let my precipitation create a prejudice. Give mea fair hearing; that's all I ask.""Well, well, I'll promise not to frown, even though some finerparagon should throw me completely in the shade.""You don't believe in my yet," he resumed, after a moment ofthought. "I felt that I had blundered awfully a while ago; but Idoubt it. A girl of your perceptions would soon have seen it all.I've not lost anything by being frank from the start. Be just tome, however. It wasn't policy that led me to speak, but thishomelike scene, and you appearing like the good genius of a home."He pulled out his watch, and gave a low whistle as he held ittoward her. Then his manner suddenly became grave and gentle."Carrie," he said, "I wish you, not a merry Christmas, but a happyone, and many of them. It seems to me it would be a greatprivilege for a man to make a woman like you happy.""Is this the beginning of the suit?" she asked with a laugh thatwas a little forced."I don't know. Perhaps it is; but I spoke just as I felt. Good-night."She would not admit of a trace of sentiment on her part. "Good-night," she said. "Merry Christmas! Go home and hang up yourstocking.""Bless me!" she thought, as she went slowly up the stairs, "Ithought I was going to be through with him for good and all,except as a friend; but if he goes on this way--"The next morning a basket of superb roses was left at her home.There was no card, and mamma queried and surmised; but the girlknew. They were not displeasing to her, and somehow, before theday was over, they found their way to her room; but she shook herhead decidedly as she said, "He must be careful not to send meother gifts, for I will return them instantly. Flowers, inmoderation, never commit a girl."But then came another gift--a book with pencillings here andthere, not against sentimental passages, but words that made herthink. It was his manner in society, however, that at onceannoyed, perplexed, and pleased her. On the first occasion theymet in company with others, he made it clear to every one that hewas her suitor; yet he was not a burr which she could not shakeoff. He rather seconded all her efforts to have a good time withany and every one she chose. Nor did he, wallflower fashion, mopein the meanwhile and look unutterable things. He added to thepleasure of a score of others, and even conciliated Lottie, yet atthe same time surrounded the girl of his choice with an atmosphereof unobtrusive devotion. She was congratulated on her conquest--rather maliciously so by Lottie. Her air of courteous indifferencewas well maintained; yet she was a woman, and could not help beingflattered. Certain generous traits in her nature were touched alsoby a homage which yielded everything and exacted nothing.The holidays soon passed, and he returned to his work. She learnedincidentally that he toiled faithfully, instead of mooning around.At every coigne of vantage she found him, or some token of hisceaseless effort. She was compelled to think of him, and to thinkwell of him. Though mamma and papa judiciously said little, it wasevident that they liked the style of lover into which he wasdeveloping.Once during the summer she said: "I don't think it's right to letyou go on in this way any longer.""Are my attentions so very annoying?""No, indeed. A girl never had a more agreeable or useful friend.""Are you engaged to some other fellow?""Of course not. You know better.""There is no 'of course not' about it. I couldn't and wouldn't laya straw in the way. You are not bound, but I.""You bound?""Certainly. You remember what I said.""Then I must accept the first man that asks me--""I ask you.""No; some one else, so as to unloose your conscience and give youa happy deliverance,""You would leave me still bound and hopeless in that case. I loveyou now, Carrie Mitchell.""Oh, dear! you are incorrigible. It's just a lawyer's persistencein winning a suit.""You can still swear on the dictionary that you don't love me atall?""I might--on the dictionary. There, I won't talk about such thingsany more," and she resolutely changed the subject.But she couldn't swear, even on the dictionary. She didn't knowwhere she stood or how it would all end; but with increasingfrequency the words, "I love you now," haunted her waking anddreaming hours.The holidays were near again, and then came a letter fromMarstern, asking her to take another sleigh-ride with him onChristmas Eve. His concluding words were: "There is no other womanin the world that I want on the other side of me." She kissedthese words, then looked around in a startled, shamefaced manner,blushing even in the solitude of her room.Christmas Eve came, but with it a wild storm of wind and sleet.She was surprised at the depth of her disappointment. Would heeven come to call through such a tempest?He did come, and come early; and she said demurely: "I did notexpect you on such a night as this."He looked at her for a moment, half humorously, half seriously,and her eyes drooped before his. "You will know better what toexpect next time," was his comment."When is next time?""Any and every time which gives me a chance to ses you. Who shouldknow that better than you?""Are you never going to give up?" she asked with averted face."Not till you become engaged.""Hush! They are all in the parlor.""Well, they ought to know as much, by this time, also."She thought it was astonishing how he made himself at home in thefamily circle. In half an hour there was scarcely any restraintleft because a visitor was present. Yet, as if impelled by somemysterious influence, one after another slipped out; and Carriesaw with strange little thrills of dismay that she would soon bealone with that indomitable lawyer. She signalled to her mother,but the old lady's eyes were glued to her knitting.At last they were alone, and she expected a prompt and powerfulappeal from the plaintiff; but Marstern drew his chair to theopposite side of the hearth and chatted so easily, naturally, andkindly that her trepidation passed utterly. It began to grow late,and a heavier gust than usual shook the house. It appeared towaken him to the dire necessity of breasting the gale, and he roseand said:"I feel as if I could sit here forever, Carrie. It's just theimpression I had a year ago to-night. You, sitting there by thefire, gave then, and give now to this place the irresistible charmof home. I think I had then the decided beginning of the divinegravitation--wasn't that what you called it?--which has beengrowing so strong ever since. You thought then that the ice-waterI waded was in my veins. Do you think so now? If you do I shallhave to take another year to prove the contrary. Neither am Iconvinced of the absurdity of my course, as you put it then. Istudied you coolly and deliberately before I began to love you,and reason and judgment have had no chance to jeer at my love.""But, Hedley," she began with a slight tremor in her tones, "youare idealizing me as certainly as the blindest. I've plenty offaults.""I haven't denied that; so have I plenty of faults. What righthave I to demand a perfection I can't offer? I have known peopleto marry who imagined each other perfect, and then come to courtfor a separation on the ground of incompatibility of temperament.They learned the meaning of that long word too late, and werescarcely longer about it than the word itself. Now, I'm satisfiedthat I could cordially agree with you on some points and lovinglydisagree with you on others. Chief of all it's your instinct tomake a home. You appear better at your own fireside than when infull dress at a reception. You--""See here, Hedley, you've got to give up this suit at last. I'mengaged," and she looked away as if she could not meet his eyes."Engaged?" he said slowly, looking at her with startled eyes."Well, about the same as engaged. My heart has certainly gone fromme beyond recall." He drew a long breath. "I was foolish enough tobegin to hope," he faltered."You must dismiss hope to-night, then," she said, her face stillaverted.He was silent and she slowly turned toward him. He had sunk into achair and buried his face in his hands, the picture of dejecteddefeat.There was a sudden flash of mirth through tear-gemmed eyes, aglance at the clock, then noiseless steps, and she was on herknees beside him, her arm about his neck, her blushing face nearhis wondering eyes as she breathed:"Happy Christmas, Hedley! How do you like your first gift; andwhat room is there now for hope?"
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