The Compleat Bachelor

rebounded from the pavement in a mist a foot high,-and listening to the hurrying runnels that sluiced the gutters. It was full, uncompromising rain, and it thrashed stead

field," she exclaimed, as I admired at her pli

dered w

eplied, "several morning suits, a Nor

foot, shaking a sliver of little

ishing attire

derous. Where

ur, and will doubtless return in much t

ess making a wet slap on the door as she whisked

friends persisted in regarding as gout. As a matter of fact the affection was purely muscular, and I indignan

e in upon me that I had a history, or some record of trivialities that passed as such; and these little drifted relics of the past had curiously discounted the glamour of what was

fications in the fit. She tops Caroline by three inches. I had often wondered idly

ed her c

nspection. "Waist-turn round-hm!-an inch and a half at most; all right so long as you don't lean forw

slippers," she said, put

of my own, brought her the brandy, which she drank like a sensible woman of twenty-eigh

o remember an invalid, and to pay such a welc

hameless woman. She looked

e last thing I thought of when I left home was co

e wheels of a hansom went past with a watery swish, the horse's hoofs slapping clear in the

for an hour or two. It's not going to stop yet.

wed mo

ed. "You have helped me in a watery dil

y were not mine. T

the fender. "I think I'll take Caroline's

er. She was not i

"are you not a little premature

d, laughing; "call it ho

bachelor, and never had such a thing. And if I had, she would

," she returned, "and my first duty is to

ons, mementoes, and the hundred other matters which had doubtless be

her dreadful. Seems like reading some

the nearest packet. I pla

hus recklessly into the tied-up part of a now reformed bachelor?

retorted, "that is no reason why I s

ead," I returned, pushing towar

ins

ne of one speaking to a naughty ch

laug

t; I don't keep letters as I did when I was a sentimental schoo

tell me sooner? That would have been

d w

tten a good deal

outh," she replied, quietly smiling, and burrowing on

ut I have written things that would have am

. She and Caroline were very good friends, and there had doubt

on't you p

ther way of keeping a diary. Perhaps, after all, you may

ed the

ngagement to Caroline. Good advice-but a little too late. It wouldn't have bee

sake of reply," Millicent returned smiling; "you'd

ok my

ition is a felicity I have hitherto missed. Now here's another: to Caroline, on the same occasion. That, Milli

r nice of you,

posted. It was a hard alternative. I sent the usual nice thing; Mrs. Bassishaw would understand that. This"-I tapp

Mrs. Bassishaw's conduct which her rela

ir end in leaving me in a better temper; and in one at least of them I evaded a state o

our future biographer. I suppose you have one eye on th

magnanimously

Chatterton; and not unconnec

looking up. "Why to me? Wha

, "that I must have felt rather

ed iron

if the regard does stop at the posting point. It was a

us periods, at which she only laughed, "are not quenched

e sang softly, "'type of

my fingers, and signified my willingness to wait

" she said, still laughing. "

ears, Millicen

he biography. I declare I'm almost curious, Rollo. Tell me, is it--?" She

ing her gaze. "Would you c

he shower filled the room. The heavens were relenting, and already a corner of th

d it?" I repeated, loo

d round

she said, "

ed. "Proposal is a venerable form

tood before me, dignified in her hete

smiled the same queer smile. "But if you think that I should be interested in such a matter merely as an-experiment in mood-you wrong me, Rollo; and if,

in that moment. I ro

ur rebuke. There is nothing furth

tomed laugh, the same

s you may have to make on the subject, Rollo, provided they