“Inconsiderately, indeed,” said Marion, laughing too. “I shall never forget seeing him swallow the delicacies which I had prepared with so much care, in the coolest manner possible, looking me hard in the face all the time. I was in an agony to see the ham sandwiches disappear one after another down his huge throat (knowing there were no more in the house, too), while the capricious fine lady who took a fancy to feed him, drawled out, ‘the d-e-a-r d-o-g! _how_ he li-kes them!’ I should think he did, indeed, with his appetite! I do believe, though, Mr. Edward, that, like all men, you rather enjoyed the scene than otherwise; for you never offered to put the cruel old dog out of the room.” “How could I tear him from the flattering attentions of his Patroness? But let me see; how did you manage it, Marion? I dare say very ingeniously and gracefully. I remember how proud I felt of you that day.” “Oh, I appeared to enter into the amusement and drollery of his enormous appetite, but suggested, in the most affectionate manner possible, that he should _bow_ his thanks to the fair lady before tasting another morsel! Poor Jock, who had not the slightest acquaintance with any feat or accomplishment of the kind, was all amazement at my gestures and commands, and only stared hard for more; whereupon he was gently ‘_fie-fied_,’ and put out of the room for his obstinacy and ingratitude!” [Illustration: Day & Son, lith^{rs}. to the Queen.] They both laughed heartily at the remembrance of Jock’s delinquency and its punishment; and Marion being in a very merry humour, recounted with much mirth many other similar incidents, which they _could_ laugh at now. “We never deceived each other but once,” said she; “the time when you were so ill, you know, from over-work, and I used to steal slily into the village to give your Latin lessons to those stupid boys you were ‘preparing!’ I often wonder how I took courage to ask their mother to let me take your place: yet I am glad I did, for I don’t know what we should have done without the money; and I studied the lessons so well myself, that I did no injustice to your pupils. But then the _dénouement_! I shall never forget your walking into that dingy library, pale as death, and your extreme surprise on finding me seated in the great chair, conjugating a tremendous Latin verb, while the poor little mamma looked on with amazement at my proficiency! _I_ was startled too, fully believing you to be quietly resting on the sofa, _while I took my walk_!” “We both looked very guilty for an instant.” “Yes, we did indeed; and I thought I never should cease laughing on our way home, especially as you were half inclined to be angry! But my mirth soon vanished when I saw how faint you were, and you rested your head on my shoulder as we sat on the stile. A terrible fear came over me,” continued Marion, shuddering, and drawing closer to her husband--“I never felt pain like that before!”