"Germaine is not an 'eligible' then?" "Who said anything about him?" "I did. I am unable, by any system of ratiocination with which I am acquainted, to establish why a sensible, fancy-free lady should refuse a man, who is unexceptionable in morals, behaviour, education, appearance and prospects." "What an array of recommendations! what evidence have you that I have committed this egregious folly?" "Your quibblings--if nothing else. Deign to enlighten me as to motive--the act being granted. Why did you discard him?" "Because I did not love him, Charley." "That is to the point! now--why didn't you love him?" "Because I could not." "Not so good. Why couldn't you?" "Impertinent! is love made to order? As with a soda fount, have you but to twist a screw in the heart, and it bubbles up for any 'unexceptionable,' who prays for it in a flowery speech?" "Jumping the question again! What is your ideal husband like?" "He must be my master!" said Ida. "Mr. Germaine is kind and excellent--intelligent and gentlemanly; but my will would never yield to his. He would say--'Shall I?' and 'will you?' in matters where his interests, no less than mine, were involved. My ideal says, gently, but decidedly--'_I_ think'--'_I_ will?'" "So our friend may ascribe his ill-success to his lack of Blue-Beardishness! Oh, woman! thy name is caprice!" Ida had scanty faith in the reality of his wonder, but most of that expressed was genuine. "Such a fine young man! well-to-do in the world, and she so unprotected!" Carry had built many castles in the air, upon Ida's presupposed acceptance of her neighbor, and expostulated with her. "Better a lonely, than a miserable life, dear Carry;" was the reply. "I have my Bible to direct me,--my Heavenly Father to lean upon. While I obey Him, He will not leave me friendless. As to the obloquy of old-maidism, I do not dread it." At the fall of the leaf, the town Danas returned home, and Ida slipped into her place in the family, as though she had always constituted a part of it. The time winged happily and uneventfully along until Christmas. Dr. Carleton, Arthur and Carry were with them then, and another visitor, Ida's namesake, and the miraculous prodigy of Poplar-grove;--a lovely babe, four months old; with its father's hazel eyes, and the transparent skin, and bright flossy curls of its beautiful mother.