“A few hours ago you did me the honor to listen to me. You even hinted I might speak to your father.” “No, no. I only asked if you HAD spoken to him.” “I will not contradict you. I will trust to your own candor. Dear Grace, tell me, have I been so unfortunate as to offend you since then?” “No.” “Have I lost your respect?” “Oh, no.” “Have I forfeited your good opinion?” “Dear me, no.” (A little pettishly.) “Then how is it that I love you better, if possible, than yesterday, and you seem not to like me so well as yesterday?” “One is not always in the same humor.” “Then you don't like me to-day?” “Oh yes, but I do. And I shall always like you: if you don't tease me, and urge me too much. It is hardly fair to hurry me so; I am only a girl, and girls make such mistakes sometimes.” “That is true; they marry on too short an acquaintance. But you have known me more than two years, and, in all that time, have I once given you reason to think that you had a rival in my admiration, my love?” “I never watched you to see. But all that time you have certainly honored me with your attention, and I do believe you love me more than I deserve. Please do not be angry: do not be mortified. There is no occasion; I am resolved not to marry until I am of age; that is all; and where's the harm of that?” “I will wait your pleasure; all I ask you, at present, is to relieve me of my fears, by engaging yourself to me.” “Ah! but I have always been warned against long engagements.” “Long engagements! Why, how old are you, may I ask?” “Only nineteen. Give me a little time to think.” “If I wait till you are of age, THAT WILL BE TWO YEARS.” “Just about. I was nineteen on the 12th of December. What is the matter?” “Oh, nothing. A sudden twinge. A man does not get rolled over sharp rocks, by a mountain torrent, for nothing.” “No, indeed.” “Never mind that, if I'm not to be punished in my heart as well. This resolution, not to marry for two years, is it your own idea? or has somebody put it into your head since we stood on Cairnhope, and looked at Bollinghope?” “Please give me credit for it,” said Grace, turning very red: “it is the only sensible one I have had for a long time.” Mr. Coventry groaned aloud, and turned very pale. Grace said she wanted to go upstairs for her work, and so got away from him. She turned at the door, and saw him sink into a chair, with an agony in his face that was quite new to him. She fled to her own room, to think it all over, and she entered it so rapidly that she caught Jael crying, and rocking herself before the fire. The moment she came in Jael got up, and affected to be very busy, arranging things; but always kept her back turned to Grace. The young lady sat down, and leaned her cheek on her hand, and reflected very sadly and seriously on the misery she had left in the drawing-room, and the tears she had found here.