“I am indebted to you for that,” he answered quickly. “If you will allow me to say it, you are so different from the rest.” “If you really believe that, I must thank you for the compliment you intend.” Thus they chatted till they reached Clara’s home. As he was taking his leave, Xerxes said in an earnest, appealing tone: “If you will allow me to call occasionally, it would be a great favor, and enable me to kill at least some of the time that hangs so heavily upon my hands?” “Certainly: I would be pleased to have you call, for I’m frequently afflicted with dreadful _ennui_ myself,” was the imprudent permission of this betrothed young lady. When they separated, Clara said to herself: “What a pleasant man he is. I do believe he is more entertaining than Ernest, who, with his religion and his great education, is so solemn. He doesn’t act like a young man at all. But he is so smart, and I can always be proud of him. Besides, papa has so much confidence in him. But I do wish he were just a little more like Mr. Comston.” And Xerxes thought as he went away: “She is very beautiful. This, with her thousands, makes her a prize worth winning. She has not yet mentioned the name of that religious lawyer. Look sharp, my zealous friend! if you don’t mind, I’ll play you a trick yet. You may be engaged to her, but ‘there’s many a slip betwixt the cup and the lip.’” And here we leave them in darkness. The next evening Ernest called again, and found Clara in the parlor. She had slept till noon. “I hope you are feeling well after your last evening’s dissipation,” he said pleasantly, as he seated himself. “I never felt better,” she answered. “I believe the exercise was an advantage to me. I don’t see why you should call it dissipation.” “Dissipation it is when compared with some other things, especially those more solid pursuits which improve the mind.” “Do you think of nothing but improving the mind?” asked Clara. “Don’t you believe in any recreation at all?” “Certainly, but different people have different kinds of recreation.” “What is your kind? I should like to know.” “I will tell you,” answered Ernest. “I take a walk or ride every day for the benefit of my physical organization. To rest my mind I read light literature.” “And is that the way you propose to spend your life?” inquired Clara looking at him anxiously. “Why should I not?” “Of course, you can do as you please,” said Clara, showing some signs of vexation. “But isn’t it rather selfish?” “It may appear so at present, because I am alone a great deal. But ere long I shall have a lovable companion who can share these pleasures with me.”