“Because,” he answered, “it is said that women can always be kissed or kicked out of any right of property they may happen to possess. Now, don’t you, my little Alice, be kissed out of your six thousand acres of finely cultivated and heavily timbered, well-watered land, with all its land and water privileges. The best plantation within the bounds of old Maryland. Don’t you be kissed out of it, little Alice, for it makes you independent and of great importance. Don’t you be kissed out of it, Alice, for you can leave it to your beloved daughter, who will need it. Don’t you be kissed out of it, Alice, my child; and as for the other alternative, my courteous friend, General Garnet, is far too much of a gentleman to resort to it, either literally or metaphorically.” “Judge Wylie, why do you talk to me in this way? You are my oldest friend; you have a certain privilege. I beseech you, forbear to abuse it,” said Alice, divided between mortification and anxiety. The latter at last prevailed, and she asked: “Why did you open up this subject just now, Judge Wylie? You came to tell me why, I suppose. Tell me now at once.” “Well, then, only this, Alice. That about an hour ago I happened in at Squire Fox’s office, where General Garnet was superintending the drawing up of a deed. An involuntary—a providential—glance, now I think it was, over the clerk’s shoulder revealed to me the fact that he was drawing up a deed of assignment, by which you were to convey all your right, title, and interest in the landed property of Mount Calm to General Aaron Garnet. General Garnet then turned to me and requested me to meet him here to-night, to witness your signature. I asked, with surprise, if you had consented to give it. He looked offended, and expressed astonishment at my question. By which I knew that he intended to come upon you by a coup de main, and I came off here to put you on your guard.” “Oh, is that all?” asked Alice, with a sigh of great relief. “Well, Judge Wylie, if anyone else in the wide world had talked to me as you have been talking for the last ten minutes, I should have said that they took a most unwarrantable and most offensive liberty in presuming to interfere in a matter that concerns only General Garnet and myself. Of you, my old friend, I only say that your doubts and fears are totally groundless. General Garnet, perhaps, wishes to test the strength of my confidence in him, or he may have some other and still better reason for what he is about to do. At all events, when he lays that deed before me for signature, most willingly, most cheerfully, will I prove my love and respect, and confidence in him, by signing it at once. Judge Wylie, I am not well this evening. The events of the day have shaken me very much. Judge Wylie, with many thanks for your kind intentions, permit me to wish you good-evening.” And Alice held out her hand. Judge Wylie arose, saying: