"A drastic measure, I admit," continued Barton, "but one which I should have considered justifiable, could I have foreseen the miscarriage of my other plan. You know my eldest sister, Emily?" We bowed, for it was a duty to know Emily. "And you know her eldest daughter, Emeline?" We bowed again; it was a pleasure to know Emeline. "Well," went on Barton, "it so happened that they were to dine that evening in the neighborhood, and I arranged with them to drop in upon me in an offhand way soon after their dinner, which was a small, informal one. I was convinced, you see, that Carhart could not fail to fall desperately in love with Emeline, which would have simplified affairs at once." Of course, we both assented--I through civility, but Willoughby, as I fancied, with a somewhat heightened color. "I presume you did not take Miss Emeline into your confidence," he said, a trifle stiffly. "No," answered Barton, "but I have often wished since that I had been more frank. It's just the sort of thing she's good at." Willoughby tossed his excellent cigar, half smoked, into the grate, with what appeared unnecessary violence. "You were saying that your plan fell through," he prompted. "It did," rejoined the host. "It fell through completely, as you shall see. I kept my young friend at the table as long as possible, and Nathan--to his credit I will say it--was never more deliberate; but when Carhart had declined almonds and raisins rather pointedly for the third time, we rose from the table, as the clock struck ten, and came in here to smoke. The lights were low, as they were before our friend Joe tried to blind us." "I beg your pardon!" I exclaimed, and, hastening to the button, I reduced the room again to semi-darkness. "Ah, that's more like it," said Barton. "I much prefer the light subdued. Well, here we were--Carhart before the mantelpiece, where I stood just now, smoking composedly enough, and I between him and the door, listening for the sound of the bell which might at any moment announce the arrival of the ladies. I remember perfectly that we were discussing setter-dogs; and, as you may well believe, I was never so put to it for anecdotes in my life, when at last the welcome summons came." "I thought you said your plan fell through," Willoughby interposed.