'Well, are not married people generally happy?' he asked. 'At least, the world gives them credit for happiness. Fancy turning bankrupt at nine or ten months!' 'Oh, there will be no bankruptcy in their case. Gage is a thoroughly contented woman. Do you know, Michael, I begin to think Percival a good fellow myself. I never saw quite so much of him before, and he is really very companionable.' 'Come, now, I have hopes of you. Then why this dubious tone in alluding to their matrimonial felicity?' 'Oh, I don't know!' with a slight blush. 'I believe it makes me a little impatient if people talk too much about it. Mother and Gage are perpetually haranguing on such subjects as this; they are always hinting, or saying out openly, that such a girl had better be married. Now, it is all very well, but there are two sides to every question, and I do think old maids have a great many privileges. No one seems to think of the delights of freedom.' 'I believe we have heard these sentiments before. Kester, my son, go on with your book; this sort of conversation is not intended for good little boys.' 'Michael, don't be absurd! I really mean what I say; it is perfectly glorious to say and do just what one likes. I mean to write a paper about it one day, and send it up to one of our leading periodicals.' '"On the Old Maids of England," by "A Young Maid." I should like to read it; the result of three-and-twenty years' experience must be singularly beneficial to the world at large. Write it, my child, by all means; and I will correct the proof-sheets.' 'But why should not one be happy in one's own way?' persisted Audrey. 'You are older than I, Michael--I suppose a man of your age must have some experience--is it not something to be your own master, to go where you like and do what you like without being cross-questioned on your actions?' 'Oh, I will agree with you there!' 'People talk such nonsense about loneliness and all that sort of thing, as though one need be lonely in a whole world full of human creatures--as though an old maid cannot find plenty to love, and who will love her.' 'I don't know; I never tried. If I had a maiden aunt, perhaps----' murmured Michael. 'If you had, and she were a nice, kind-hearted woman, you would love her. I know it is the fashion to laugh at old maids, and make remarks on their funny little ways; but I never will find fault with them. Why, I shall be an old maid myself one day; but, all the same, I mean people to love me all my life long. What are you doing now?' rather sharply; for Michael had taken out his pocket-book and was writing the date. 'I thought I might like to remind you of this conversation one day. Is it the sixteenth or the seventeenth? Thank you, Kester--the seventeenth? There! it is written down.'