In course of the evening, when Treherne and Miss Lisabel, in happy ignorance of all the peril their bliss had gone through, were making believe to play chess in the corner, and Miss Johnston was reading the newspaper to her father, I slipped away to the green-house, where I stood examining some orchids, and thinking how curious it was that I, a perfect stranger, should be so mixed up with the private affairs of this family. "Doctor Urquhart." Soft as the whisper was, it made me start. I apologised for not having seen Miss Theodora enter, and began admiring the orchidaceous plants. "Yes, very pretty. But I wanted to ask you, what were you and papa talking about?" "Your father wished me not to mention it." "But I heard part of it, I could not help hearing,--and I guessed the rest. Tell me only one thing. Is Captain Treherne still to marry our Lisa?" "I believe so. There was a difficulty, but Mr. Johnston said he would 'pass it over.'" "Poor papa," was all she replied. "Poor papa." I expressed my exceeding regret at what had happened. "No, never mind, you could not help it; I understand exactly how it was. But the storm will blow over; papa is rather peculiar. Don't tell Captain Treherne." She stood meditative a good while, and then said:-- "I think you are right about Mr. Treherne, I begin to like him myself a little, that is--No, I will not make pretences. I did not like him at all until lately." I told her I knew that. "How? Did I shew it? Do I shew what I feel?" "Tolerably," said I, smiling. "But you do like him now?" "Yes." Another pause of consideration and then a second decisive "yes." "I like him," she went on, "because he is good-natured, and sincere. Besides, he suits Lisabel, and people are so different, that it would be ridiculous to expect to choose one's sister's husband after the pattern of one's own. The two would probably not agree in any single particular." "Indeed," said I, amused at her frankness. "For instance?" "Well, for instance, Lisa likes talking, and I silence, or being talked to, and even that in moderation. Hark!" We listened a minute to Treherne's hearty laugh and incessant chitter-chatter. "Now, my sister enjoys that, she says it amuses her; I am sure it would drive me crazy in a week." I could sympathise a little in this sentiment. "But," with sudden seriousness, "I beg you to understand, Doctor Urquhart, that I am not speaking against Captain Treherne. As I told you, I like him; I am quite satisfied with him, as a brother-in-law. Only, he is not exactly the sort of person one would choose to spend a week with in the Eddystone Lighthouse." I asked if that was her test for all her friends? since so few could stand it. She laughed. "Possibly not. When one comes to reflect, there are very few whose company one can tolerate so well as one's own." "Which is itself not always agreeable."