'Oh it is so--so--so like----' 'Yes, but do stop laughing and tell me.' At last Kate had to stop laughing for want of breath, and she said, her voice still trembling: 'Well, there's a fellow in this book--you promise not to be angry?' 'Oh yes, I promise.' 'Well, then, there's someone in this book that does remind me so much--of you--that is to say, when you're cross, not as you are now.' At this announcement Mrs. Ede looked up in astonishment, and she seemed as hurt as if Kate had slapped her in the face, whereas Ralph's face lighted up, his smile revealing through the heavy moustache the gap between his front teeth which had been filled with some white substance. Kate always noticed it with aversion, but Ralph, who was not susceptible to feminine revulsions of feelings, begged her to read the passage, and with an eagerness that surprised his mother. Without giving it a second thought she began, but she had not read half a dozen words before Mrs. Ede had gathered up her knitting and was preparing to leave the room. 'Oh, mother, don't go! I assure you there's no harm.' 'Leave her alone. I'm sick of all this nonsense about religion. I should like to know what harm we're doing,' said Ralph. Kate made a movement to rise, but he laid his hand upon her arm, and a moment after Mrs. Ede was gone. 'Oh, do let me go and fetch her,' exclaimed Kate. 'I shouldn't--I know I shouldn't read these books. It pains her so much to see me wasting my time. She must be right.' 'There's no right about it; she'd bully us all if she had her way. Do be quiet, Kate! Do as I tell you, and let's hear the story.' Relinquishing another half-hearted expostulation which rose to her lips, Kate commenced to read. Ralph was enchanted, and, deliciously tickled at the idea that he was like someone in print, he chuckled under his breath. Soon they came to the part that had struck Kate as being so particularly appropriate to her husband. It concerned a scene between this ascetic courtier and a handsome, middle-aged widow who frequently gave him to understand that her feelings regarding him were of the tenderest kind; but on every occasion he pretended to misunderstand her. The humour of the whole thing consisted in the innocence of the lady, who fancied she had not explained herself sufficiently; and harassed with this idea, she pursued the courtier from the Court hall into the illuminated gardens, and there told him, and in language that admitted of no doubt, that she wished to marry him. The courtier was indignant, and answered her so tartly that Kate, even in reading it over a second time, could not refrain from fits of laughter. 'It is--is so--s-o like what you w-wo-uld say if a wo-wo-man were to fol-low you,' she said, with the tears rolling down her cheeks.