She made no answer; but, quickening her steps, walked on hurriedly, I still keeping pace by her side. "Min, my darling," I said once more, "I love you dearer than life. Won't you try to like me a little in return? Won't you listen to me? Won't you hear me?" "O-oh, Frank!" she exclaimed. "Ever since I first saw you in church, so many long months ago, Min, I have thought of you, dreamt of you, loved you!"--I proceeded, passionately.--"O, my darling! my darling! won't you try and like me a little; or, have I been deceived in thinking that you could care for me?" "I _do_ like you, Frank," she said, softly, laying her little hand on my arm. I seized it in transport, and put it within my arm proudly. "Sweet!" I said, "_liking_ alone will not do for me! You must learn to love me, darling, as I love you! Will it be very hard?" "I don't know, Frank, I can try," she said, demurely; looking up at me with her deep, grey eyes, which, now suffused with a tender love-light, had a greater charm for me than ever. I felt as if I were walking on air! After a little pause, during which we both walked on slowly, I too happy to speak, Min squeezed my arm. "Do you then love me so _very_ much, Frank?" she said; and, there was a wistful look in her eyes, an earnest pathos in her voice, that touched me to the heart. "Love you, Min? I adore you! I dote on you! I worship the very ground you walk on; and, if you were cruel to me, I think I would die to- morrow!" "Poor fellow!" she said, pressing closer to my side. "O, Min,"--I went on,--"if you only knew the agony I have suffered in thinking that you cared for some one else! I love you so much, that I am jealous of every word you speak, every glance of your darling eyes which is not directed to me. I envied my very dog the other day because you caressed him!" "What!" she exclaimed, "Jealous of poor Catch! Do you know, Frank, that made me ove you first, your fondness for your dog and little Dicky Chips!" "You _do_ love me, then? O, Min, my darling!" I exclaimed in ecstasy. "I didn't say so, did I?" she said, saucily. "Well, then," I entreated, "say it now, sweet! Say that you love me, my darling!" "You are much too exacting, sir!"--she said, drawing herself up with the air of a haughty little Empress.--"I must consider your petition first." "But you _do_ love me, darling; so why cannot you say it? Tell me, pet, `Frank, I love you;' and, you'll make me happy for ever!" I pleaded. "I _shan't_ be ordered," she said, with a piquante coquetry which made her appear all the more winning.--"I'm not going to tell you anything of the kind, for I won't be dictated to; but, I'll say `I love you, Frank.' There! sir, will that please your lordship, although it is not in the exact words you have asked me?"--and she made a pretty little gesture of affected disdain. "O Min, my love! my pet! my darling!"--said I, rapturously-- I stopped, breathless with emotion. I could not get out a word more!