Marion threw back her head and laughed heartily. "Your question is so entirely unexpected, Doctor, that I shall have to think before I answer. Well, first, I am too busy to go about the country and select the right man. Second, I have formed such an elevated idea of the being whom I would be willing to see in that relation, that in case I had leisure I should be appalled at the difficulties in my path. Thirdly, I am just as happy now as I can be. I have my good old Hepsey and James Kelly, and all my poor people to take care of now. I'm sure I can't imagine what I should do, even with my ideal man." The laugh which followed was heart whole. "Nevertheless," urged Dr. Moore, "describe this ideal man to me." "His image is scarcely distinct enough for that. First of all, he must be a man who loves God and his neighbor as himself, as our Saviour has commanded." "Humph! I don't know him, but go on." "He must be both strong and tender, firm and gentle, courageous, kind, and courteous, capable of sympathy both in joy and grief. He must be humble in his opinion of himself." Here a sudden reflection checked her, and she added, softly, "Not too humble," then came to an abrupt pause. "Appearance and manners," suggested the doctor, without glancing at her. "Poor or rich is of no consequence; but he must have ability. Whatever his calling is, he must excel in it." "Physician preferred, probably." "Ye-es, or some kindred profession." "Lawyer, eh?" "No; oh, no, indeed, not a lawyer!" "Minister to a foreign court, perhaps?" "No, not connected with politics in any way." "There is nothing left but a shoemaker, or a country parson. Merchants of every grade watch the bills in Congress with eagle eyes. But how does he look?" "Like an athlete." Suddenly catching a twinkle in her companion's eye, Marion's cheeks and brow became suffused, and she burst out, "How ridiculous I have made myself! I never thought so much of my husband before in all my life." "I'm well acquainted with him," said the doctor, demurely. "He's all right; even your parents would be satisfied with him." "What can you mean, Doctor?" She was startled now. "Was there ever such a man?" They had reached his home, and he quietly resigned the lines to her hand. Just as he stepped to the ground, he fixed an earnest eye on her as he said,— "The portrait is excellent, even to the too humble." "Doctor! Dr. Moore!" called out Marion, as with an arch smile he was turning away, "you haven't given me your bill. I shall go to-morrow to see Dr. B--, and will write you at once; A friend of Mary's is to bear all expenses of her recovery; and, Doctor, I haven't told you how very, very grateful I am to you." "For approving your choice of a husband?" "You know, Doctor, I was thinking of some thing very remote from an ideal man, whom it is very unlikely I shall ever see. I may tell Mary now, mayn't I?"