"Stay," he said, with a profound sigh, "it is most provoking--the more especially as there is no dipping you into Lethe--but '_Hon[n]i soit qui mal y pense_.' I did not say one word of which I need be ashamed, and as to its being a little ridiculous--why, it is very odd if a man cannot afford to be ridiculous now and then--eh, Daisy?" He gave me an odd look, half shy, half amused. He could not help enjoying a joke, even though it might be at his own expense. "Then you are not vexed with me, Cornelius?" I asked, looking up. "Not a bit," he replied, smiling with perfect good-humour; "I acquit you of wilful indiscretion, my poor child; I should have shut the door--but one cannot think of everything." He had laid his hand on my shoulder. I turned round and pressed my lips to it, for the first time, scarce knowing why I gave him the token of love and homage he had yielded to Miriam. It is thus in life; we are perpetually bestowing on those who give back again, but rarely to us. Every trace of vexation passed away from the face of Cornelius; he made room for me by his side, and as I sat there in my familiar attitude, he shook back his hair, and observed, with philosophic coolness-- "After all, she would have known it to-morrow; only," he added, a little uneasily, "I think there is no necessity to let Miriam suspect anything of all this: you understand, Daisy?" "Yes, Cornelius," I replied submissively. He smiled. "What a docile tone! Do you know, my pet, it is almost a pity there is not some romantic mystery in this matter; how discreet you would be! how you would carry letters or convey messages! but your good offices will never be needed." He spoke gaily; I tried to smile, but he little knew how my heart was aching. "I suppose, Cornelius, you will marry Miss Russell," I observed after awhile. He smiled again. "Soon, Cornelius?" He sighed and shook his head. "Will you still live in this house?" "Provided Miriam does not think it too small," he replied with a perplexed air, "but by uniting it to the next-door house, it would be quite large enough. Then I could have the upper part of both houses with a sky-light,--much better than a place in town; besides, I shall want her to sit to me--eh, Daisy?" He turned to me; my face was partly averted from his gaze, or he must have read there the sharp and jealous torment every word he uttered awakened within me. Who was this stranger, that had stepped in between Cornelius and me, whose thought absorbed all his thoughts, whose image effaced every other image, who already made her supposed wishes his law, already snatched from me my most delightful and exclusive privileges? He seemed waiting for a reply; I compelled myself to answer-- "Yes, Cornelius." "For our gallery, you know," he continued. I did not reply; I felt sick and faint. He stooped and looked into my face with utter unconsciousness in his.