I knew my uncle would not willingly interfere with my happiness, and for myself, I should never marry another than John Day--that was a thing of course: had he not kissed me? But the best of lovers had been parted, and that which had been might be again, though I could not see how! It _was_ good, nevertheless, to hear John talk! It was the right way for a lover to talk! Still, he had no supremacy over what was to be! “Some would say it cannot be so great a matter to us, when we have known each other such a little while!” I remarked. “The true time is the long time!” he replied. “Would it be a sign that our love was strong, that it took a great while to come to anything? The strongest things--” There he stopped, and I saw why: strongest things are not generally of quickest growth! But there was the eucalyptus! And was not St. Paul as good a Christian as any of them? I said nothing, however: there was indeed no rule in the matter! “You must allow it possible,” I said, “that we may not be married!” “I will not,” he answered. “It is true my mother may get me brought in as incapable of managing my own affairs; but--” “What mother would do such a wicked thing!” I cried. “_My_ mother,” he answered. “Oh!” “She _would!_” “I can't believe it.” “I am sure of it.” I held my peace. I could not help a sense of dismay at finding myself so near such a woman. I knew of bad women, but only in books: it would appear they were in other places as well! “We must be on our guard,” he said. “Against what?” “I don't know; whatever she may do.” “We can't do anything till she begins!” “She has begun.” “How?” I asked incredulous. “Leander is lame,” he answered. “I am so sorry!” “I am so angry!” “Is it possible I understand you?” “Quite. _She_ did it.” “How do you know?” “I can no more prove it than I can doubt it. I cannot inquire into my mother's proceedings. I leave that sort of thing to her. Let her spy on me as she will, I am not going to spy on her.” “Of course not! But if you have no proof, how can you state the thing as a fact?” “I have what is proof enough for saying it to my own soul.” “But you have spoken of it to me!” “You are my better soul. If you are not, then I have done wrong in saying it to you.”