"Because, in the first place, it is a subject which will not interest you sufficiently to dwell on your memory; and secondly, anything of that nature I am confident would be as safe with you as with ourselves." "Miss Gage," said Sir Philip, looking earnestly at her, "I am a great many years older than you." "That you must be," said Elizabeth, "for I remember you grown up when I was a child; yet you see how little difference there is now. You were alluding to the ball, were you not? You have outlived your taste for dancing, and I always felt too old for it." "Permit me," said Sir Philip, surveying her still more earnestly, "to ask if you are disengaged." "Perfectly; as soon as I have sealed this note," said Elizabeth, lighting the taper. "Do you think of going to S---- this morning? You can see the Cathedral, but you will be too late for service; you had better defer it till to-morrow." But while she was speaking, she turned her head away to avoid his grave regard, a drop of wax fell on her finger. "There!" said Sir Philip, taking her hand and examining it attentively, "you have burnt your finger. How very careless; you were not looking at what you were doing." "True," said Elizabeth, smiling at the blunt way in which he showed his interest; "it is a trick I have of burning my fingers when I seal letters; and to-day is Friday, I must tell papa. He is very superstitious about Fridays." "Tell him also that I love you sincerely," said Sir Philip, "that I demand of him this hand; that I do not know how to recommend myself to you, and that he must therefore be my friend." "You, Sir Philip, I cannot express to you my astonishment." "I wonder who could remain for three weeks in a house with you," said Sir Philip, with a blunt admiration in his look and voice, "without coming to the same pass. You are not angry." "No, Sir Philip," she replied. "You are all candour, I know you would speak the truth at once. I am more happy than I dared to hope," said her companion. Elizabeth smiled and looked down. "Well, now," said Sir Philip, taking both her hands, "will you have the goodness to fix a day for our marriage? You see I am ordered abroad for my health, and naturally I wish to take you with me." "Really, Sir Philip," said Elizabeth, "you are too hasty; consider how short a time we have known each other." "I have known Captain Gage a long time," said Sir Philip, "I was his first lieutenant when he was on the West India station; that is the same thing. How many times I have said to myself, 'I will marry Gage's daughter; if she will not have me, it is easy for me to remain single.'" Elizabeth started. How often had she, in rejecting her lovers, said in her turn, "until I meet with some one like Sir Philip d'Eyncourt, I will never marry." "And yet you did not recollect me, that evening," said she.