Confidence

ation. He got on very easily, however, with Angela Vivian, and felt none of the mysterious discomfort alluded to by his friend. The element of

nt sophisticated," he said; "perverted a little-perhaps even corrupted. It is the local east-wind with an infusion from climates less tonic." It seemed to him that Mrs. Vivian was a Puritan grown worldly-a Bostonian relaxed; and this impression, oddly enough, contributed to his wish to know more of her. He felt like going up to her very politely and saying, "Dear lady and most honored compatriot, what in the world have I done to displease you? You don't approve of me, and I am dying to know the reason why. I should be so happy to exert myself to be agreeable to you. It 's no use; you give me the cold shoulder. When I speak to you, you look the other way; it is only

er the trees, at three o'clock, to listen to it. This was not, as a regular thing, an hour of re-union for the little group in which we are especially interested; Miss Vivian, in particular, unless an excursion of some sort had been agreed upon the day before, was usually not to be seen in the precincts of the Conversation-house until the evening. Bernard, one afternoon,

frivolous," she said, "coming to

re with the hope of finding you," the yo

s Evers than to find her," remarked C

ng girl. "I think I should like to be los

aid Captain Lovel

ay. I can take care of

er a tree with a book, over the top of which she was observing her pretty protege. Blanche

suppose she is right. She promised my mother she would be treme

ock. "Mrs. Vivian does n't approve of me-she wishe

e likes me least of all, and I, o

on her," said the Captain.

gave a little

t have you talk that way about a

She would like to lock you u

e to come with her. And if she promised my mother she would be careful, is n't she right to keep her promise? She 's a great deal more careful than mamma ever was, and that 's

ittle less and scold you a litt

many horrid things," his companion

ever have anything I w

nsive," said Bernard. "It see

shman gav

n ever," he added, in a moment, looking at Mrs. Vivian. "Mr. Gordon Wri

shows her wisdo

at Captain Lovelock. "I must say I like Mr. Gordon Wright. Why in the world did you come here without him?" she went

tain Lovelock-"that is, alone with Miss Vivian. That 's w

ant in one of her pretty attitudes

lous! Do you mean that sh

young man has six

s in that way in our country. We have n't those horrid match-making arrangements th

Captain Lovelock, "that Mr. Gordon Wr

ee it!" cr

easier th

nche. "At any rate, Angela is no

ry him all the same

rs glanced

at?" she asked. "Why don't y

friend," said Bernard, "but I am n

che declared. "She

hat do you mean," he went on, "by saying that in America a pre

ay so, Mr. Longueville?" Blanche demanded. "I never saw any

ng. "On this point permit me not to generalize. I am interested in the particular c

ve a little t

y impartial, you had

think I will go and a

ck returned to

would be indifferent to the fact that

she would be sorry for you. She is very c

et you marry me,

h trouble to prevent it

nough of this int

an," he repeated. And he left his