and no other equally good suggested itself. What he _did_ say was this, “A--really--of course I’d do it in a minute, my dear fellow--but--a--I’m not quite sure,”--here he glanced at Alice--“that is, I’m positively certain that--a--in fact, the thing’s impossible.” “You’re certain that it’s impossible that you can walk on to the stile before Alice and me! My dear Harry, what are you talking--or rather (for the truth is you’re pre-occupied), what are you thinking about?” inquired Arthur, in amazement, seeing from the expression of his friend’s countenance that he was really anxious and excited. Coverdale was again hesitating how to reply, when Alice relieved him from his difficulty by saying hurriedly, “I will walk on, and leave you to talk to Mr. Coverdale.” As she spoke, they reached the rustic bench before alluded to, and Arthur, completely mystified, seated himself, and made a sign to Coverdale to follow his example. “One moment, and I’ll be with you,” replied Coverdale, springing to Alice’s side; “then I may tell him everything?” he continued. “Oh yes,” was the unhesitating answer. “And you _will_ wait for us at the stile? I won’t detain him five minutes.” “If _you_ wish it.” “_Can_ you doubt it?” were the necessary lover-like rejoinders; and Coverdale returned to his friend, who looked especially puzzled and slightly provoked. “Now be silent!” exclaimed Hazlehurst, as Harry was about, with the greatest volubility, to plunge at once _in medias res_. “You have lived amongst women till you’ve learned to chatter like them, I think. I shall never bring you to the point, unless you will let me cross-examine you.” “Fire away, then; only look sharp, for your sister must not be kept waiting,” was the reply. “You’ve grown wonderfully polite and attentive all of a sudden,” returned Arthur, sarcastically. “But now listen to me. Has Crane made Alice an offer?” Harry replied in the affirmative. “Did she refuse him?” “Of course she did,” was the disdainful rejoinder. “I don’t see any of course in it,” returned Hazlehurst, moodily. “My father is resolved on the match: Alice has been brought up to obey him implicitly, and the habit of obedience is very strong in such a gentle, yielding nature as hers.” “If she is gentle and yielding I’m not!” exclaimed Harry, vehemently; “and with your support, and the knowledge that his daughter’s happiness is at stake, Mr. Hazlehurst must listen to reason.” “My dear boy,” returned Arthur, earnestly, “what a warmhearted, thorough-going friend you are! you really take as much interest in the affair as if it were your own. I see you naturally reckon on the extent of your influence with my father, and I have reason to believe you do not overrate it. Why, what is the matter now? Have you taken leave of your senses?”