"Am I to take that as a proposal?" she asked. "Surely, dear----" "Then, do you not think, sir, it would be a trifle more appropriate to confess your own feelings, rather than to inquire as to mine?" "But you know _I_ love you!" "You have never taken the trouble to tell me." "My lips told you?" "I did not hear them." "When I kissed you?" "I am not familiar with the language, sir," retreating. He stopped. "I love you, Judith--will you marry me?" he said, humbly. "That is better, sir," she replied; "more according to custom. Have you spoken to my father?" "I have his permission--if you are willing?" She laughed--a joyous, happy laugh. "Why, Dick, I think I have been always willing," she said, and went to him. "It is you--who--have--not--known." The last words were whispered and broken. * * * * * * * * * "You are frightfully hard on one's coiffure, dear," she said, presently, putting him aside, and stepping back. "Did you disarrange Miss Stirling's so completely?" He surveyed her critically. "Rather more so, I think," he answered. She made a little grimace. "You wretch!" she exclaimed. "You need not have confessed it!" "But you wanted the truth," with a sly smile. "No, I did not want the truth!--No, sir! go away--I will not! Not another one until we say good night. Is it a bargain?" "I suppose so--yes, it is a bargain," he replied. "Very well, sir--now, because you are so good, I shall tell you a secret." "A sugar plum for the child!" he laughed. "A man always wants a sugar plum for being good," she reflected. "And the secret?" he said. "It has to do with Sir Edward Parkington," she answered.--"We walked down to the water, after supper, and he was--very devoted," (with a sidelong glance at Maynadier). "I should hope so," he remarked. "He took my hand----" "Huh!" said Maynadier. "And commented on the contour of my cheek----" "Huh!" said Maynadier, again. "And the beauty of my hair----" No response! "And the flawlessness of my complexion----" A savage cut at the grass, with his walking stick! "And he was good enough to say my mouth was a perfect bow----" Another cut with the walking stick, more savage! "Just made for kisses----" "Yes!" said Maynadier, and stopped. "And then,----" she went on. "I suppose he kissed you!" Maynadier exclaimed. "No!" she said--"No, he only proposed--Oh! he did it much nicer than you, Dick! No man could ever have done it better." "And what did you do?" said Maynadier, frowning. "What do you think I did?" He made a gesture, signifying that she might have done anything. She laughed softly, and slipped her hand through his arm. "You are a little, just a little jealous, dear,--confess it?" she said. "No--I am not exactly jealous--but, oh hang it! Judith, what _did_ you do?"