"Had I feared that, I would never have given you the answer I have," was her confident reply. Much of the conversation which followed was of that tender and confidential nature, so manifestly not intended for the too inquisitive public ear, that we refrain from repeating it, leaving it to the imagination of the more experienced to supply many of the missing links. Before separating, he told her of the letter received from home, which had given him so great a surprise, and how much he was at a loss to conceive who could have been the spy and informer. "Oh!" exclaimed Jessie, as she gave a start. "What is the matter, dear?" exclaimed Fellows. "Only a thought that flashed across my mind at what you were saying." "Tell me, dearest, what it is?" "It is a matter of such trivial importance, and one which I regarded as so personal to myself, that I should not have said anything about it but for the fact you have just mentioned." "You need not hesitate, Jessie, to tell me anything, as whatever concerns you will not be regarded as trivial by me." "Well then," she replied, with downcast eyes, "I had a visit this week from Mr. Barton; and I suppose you’ll never guess the object of that visit?" "Which one?" he inquired. "Charles," she replied. "Then I’ll not try guessing, dear, since it is so difficult, but leave you to tell me." "Well then, without repeating all he said, as no doubt I should fail to do him justice, he told me very bluntly that he wanted a wife, and asked me to consent to have him for a husband. Of course, as you may well imagine, I declined that honour. He did not take my reply kindly, at which I was not altogether surprised, as I suppose no man, if he is in earnest (and I have no reason to doubt but that he was), would be likely to do. But after questioning and cross-examining me as to who I was preferring before him, he concluded that he thought he knew who the person was. It was then he said——" Jessie paused, evidently reluctant to proceed. "What did he say?" inquired Fellows eagerly. "I don’t feel as if I can tell you," she replied. "Don’t hesitate, dear," he said encouragingly. "He never mentioned your name, but I felt all the time he was referring to you." "Never mind, darling, you have gone too far now not to tell me all." "Well, he said the man he referred to was a worthless, dishonest scoundrel, not fit to be the companion of any honest woman." "And you had sufficient confidence in me not to be influenced by that statement?" "Can you doubt it," she replied, "after what has passed to-day?" "Not for one moment, dearest," he hastened to reply. "You will easily see my reason for not intending to tell you this." "I do, Jessie; and honour you, my love, all the more for your consideration."