"What are men made of, and what puzzling secret tendency is common to every human heart, that such situations as this totally overcome it? What is there in the smile of a woman, in the glance of her eye, in the sound of her voice, to speak so eloquently to man's susceptibilities; why does one woman never see this power in another, nor one man in his fellow-man? Is it a portion of ourselves that we recognize in those we love, that their loss is our wreck and their gain, our fortune? Oh mysterous mysteries of the human soul, ye taunt us and teaze us, but ye are our life, our happiness, and our hope, may we never solve your fascinating secrets, 'tis their obscurity is their charm." Guy was a strong-minded, unromantic fellow, truly enough, but as he looked in upon the graceful reclining figure of the girl he loved, lying still and thoughtful among the cushions of her chair, his heart was just as inflamed as any victim's of sentiment, his passion filled him, welled up to his very lips so violent, so strong, that it burst its feeble limits and broke out in one resistless word, "Honor" the very sound of his own voice startled Guy, he could have rushed from the spot into oblivion forever, had not the still reclining figure grown suddenly animate, like a spark of electric fluid the word vibrated through her whole frame, she started suddenly up with an expression of blank dismay on her face. "Honor," he repeated, more calmly this time, "do not be frightened, it is only I." "You! Guy Elersley," she almost gasped, looking full into his eyes, with a half wistful gaze. "Yes, Guy Elersley," he answered, a little sadly, "am I intruding?" "It is not that," she said hesitatingly, "but your presence surprises me so, I thought you were--" "Miles away, no doubt," he interrupted, "but now that I am really here, am I ever so little welcome?" "You do not need to ask that," Honor said a little formally, "I think the name of the house is too well-known to necessitate such a question." "Oh, Honor, you know I do not mean that, why don't you spare me a little?" Then looking anxiously around the room, he asked, "am I safe here, to speak to you without fear of being seen or interrupted?" "May be not," she faltered. "We had better go outside." She drew the thick heavy folds of her white wrap over her head and shoulders, and stepped out under the shelter of the portico. When they reached the farthest end she stood, and said in amused surprise-- "What business of terrible importance could have brought you here in this way?" "I cannot tell you that immediately," he answered seriously, "but you will know it by and bye, Honor," taking her hands in his, and looking meaningly into the deep gray eyes, "will you be vexed if I tell you that I have just overheard your conversation with Vivian Standish?" "Not half so much as he would be," she answered good-humoredly, "have you been playing eaves-dropping?"