“No, it wasn't; you'll never guess; There's no use trying. However, it is all over now.” “Why? Did he treat you badly? Whose fault was it?” “His. And the chances I threw away. He behaved like a beast. I had to give up keeping company with him.” “Why?” “Oh, I don't know. He changed very much towards me lately; he went messing about after other girls, and we had words, and I left.” “You will make it up. Perhaps you are mistaken.” “Mistaken--no; I found their letters in his pocket.” “There are always rows between sweethearts; and then they kiss and make it up, and love each other the more.” “No, I shall not see him again. We were going to be married; no, it is all over. It was a little hard at first, but I am all right now.” “I am sorry. Do you think there is no chance of making it up?” “I should have thought that you would be glad; men are so selfish they never think of any one but themselves.” “How do you mean? Why should I be glad that your marriage was broken off?” “You said just now that you liked me very much, I thought--” “So I do like you very much. Once I was in love with you--that day when we walked up the steep woods together.” “And you don't care for me any longer?” “I don't say that; but I am engaged to be married.” “Oh!” “Had you not snubbed me so I might have been married to you.” “Who are you going to be married to--to the lady we saw that day?” “Oh, no, not to her.” “I don't believe you. You mean to say you haven't been to see her since.” “I assure you---” “You mean to say you haven't seen her?” “I don't say that. I've just come from Ireland. I've been staying with my uncle. She spent a week with us; that's all I have seen of her. I am going now to see the young lady whom I am engaged to.” “And when will you be married?” “I don't know; there are a great many difficulties in the way. Perhaps I shall never marry her.” “Nonsense. I know better. You think it will take me in. I'll never be taken in again, not if I know it.” “I don't want to take you in.” “I don't know so much about that. Is she very pretty? I suppose you are very much in love with her?” “Yes, I love her very much. Dark, not like you a bit--just the opposite.” “And you met her since you saw me?” “No.” “Ah, I thought as much, and yet you told me the day we went up the river together that you never had and couldn't care for any one elsebut me. Men are all alike--they never tell the truth.” “Wait a minute; wait a minute. I knew her long before I knew you; I have known her since I was a boy, but that doesn't mean that I have been in love with her since I was a boy. I never thought of her until you threw me over, until long after; it was last summer I fell in love with her.” Lizzie's eyes were full upon him, and it seemed to them that each could see and taste the essence of the other's thought. “What have you been doing ever since? You have told me nothing about yourself.”