'Yes, you Yankees are always bringing up the men of '76, whom, were you to meet them on Beacon Street to-day, you would cut dead. Since you have really contrived to civilise yourselves a little in the last century, why do you insist upon falling back on the reputations of a parcel of tagrag farmers who were shot ages before you were born? If I were a Yankee I'd keep mum about them.' 'Ah, you may talk, but at least you know America is the greatest country on earth,' rejoined my friend with unruffled good-humour. 'I'm sure you were delighted with your visit last year.' 'I confess to some scenery; beyond that one sees in the States only things which he thanks Heaven he hasn't got at home. America makes Europeans grateful and contented.' 'I defy you to put your finger on one feature of civilisation here that does not exist in a superior form in the States. There now!' 'To begin with, then, why did you take the trouble to come over here to get a wife, if there are more desirable wives to be had in Boston?' 'How did you know that?' 'How? Have I heard anything from you this morning except about pagan goddesses?' 'Oh, you mean her? Yes; oh, yes!' 'Good heavens! does the man mean to insinuate that he has any other woman in this hemisphere in his eye?' 'Why, to tell you the truth, my father sent me over here just for that very purpose--that and the pipes.' 'What and the pipes?' 'To meet the young lady I am going to marry.' 'And is your beautiful pagan the young lady you are to marry, pray?' 'Ah! I just wish she was!' said Jeff very ruefully. 'This is becoming interesting, my young friend. But here's my house: we'll have our breakfast, and then a consultation over our wine. Come in.' V. I repressed my curiosity during the meal, but when we had settled down to our second bottle and the cigarettes I fixed my eyes on my companion and said-- 'Well?' 'Did you see that dive?' asked he. 'Hers?' 'Hers of course. Everything I say or do means her, now and for ever, one and inseparable!' cried Jeff, upon whom the wine was evidently beginning to work. 'But what about the other young lady----?' 'Sink the other young lady, sir! I never have seen her, and I never want to.' 'Well, then, about the pagan. Did the fog reveal your souls to one another?' 'Now, Campbell, I wish you would please not chaff,' said Jeff seriously. 'I don't like a man to be always cynical. Is there really nothing sacred to you anywhere? We Bostonians are not brought up so; and this is a sacred subject to me.' 'Not more so than to me, my dear fellow. You shan't have cause to complain of me again.' 'I accept your apology,' said Jeff with dignity. 'Your health.' We emptied our glasses. 'Who was that handsome middle-aged lady you were talking with?' Jeff asked.