"Don't! It would spoil the paper, and do nobody any good but the coroner and the undertaker! It was inevitable that you should have gone into a passion, Le! Your provocation would have upset a doctor of divinity, if it had taken him by surprise. Think no more of it, my boy! I dare say she has forgiven it!" "She! the blessed child! She never once resented it--that is what kills me! She never opened her lips in self-defense, or self-excuse! Oh, I could beat my----" "Pray, don't, I say! It would make a mess in a tidy parlor! I dare say she thought she was without any excuse for disappointing you and me of our pet plan, and all for the sake of that puncheon of an Englishman! But girls are weak vessels. I never knew one worth having, except my own noble wife! But perhaps she has spoiled me for appreciating any other woman, even my own daughter." "Yes, Aunt Elfrida is the most excellent of the earth, I do believe," assented Le; but without the interest in the subject which the words might have implied. "The most perfect woman in person, soul and spirit that ever was created!" "Who is 'the most perfect woman in person, soul and spirit that ever was created'?" inquired a voice behind them. Mr. Force turned and saw Col. Anglesea approaching them. Both the gentlemen, who were seated, immediately arose. Mr. Force presented his young relative to his guest. The midshipman and the colonel bowed coldly and stiffly, while they eyed each other with ill-repressed antagonism. "Who is 'the most perfect woman in person, soul and spirit that ever was created'?" again queried Col. Anglesea, as the party seated themselves around the fire. "My wife," answered Abel Force. Angus Anglesea threw back his head and laughed aloud--then recovering himself, said--to one who, unseen, had just joined the group: "I beg your pardon, Mrs. Force! I really could not help laughing, to hear your good husband praise you so--unconsciously--before your face! You know." "I did not know that Elfrida was there," said Mr. Force, half offended at--he knew not what!--something that he vaguely perceived, but could not specify. Mrs. Force had turned deadly pale, and her lips were compressed and her blue eyes glittering as she took her seat. It was fortunate, at that moment, that Miss Meeke and the two younger girls entered the parlor, simultaneously with the ringing of the dinner bell. Mrs. Force arose and took the arm of the young midshipman and led the way to the dining room, followed by the party. "I hope Miss Force is not indisposed," said Col. Anglesea, missing Odalite from her place at the table. "She does not feel very well, but may perhaps join us in the drawing room," said Mrs. Force, as they all took their seats around the board. Mr. Force sought to enliven the meal with gay conversation, but signally failed.