understand what is before us, in the way of difficulty."

"Certainly, sir. My reason, on which I can fully depend, is that I love
another woman!"

"That clinches it. May I offer my good wishes, and, I hope, my
congratulations?"

"I am proud of your good wishes, sir, and I thank you for them. But it
is too soon for congratulations--the lady does not even know my hopes
yet. Indeed, I hardly knew them myself, as definite, till this moment."

"I take it then, Adam, that at the right time I may be allowed to know
who the lady is?"

Adam laughed a low, sweet laugh, such as ripples from a happy heart.

"There need not be an hour's, a minute's delay. I shall be glad to share
my secret with you, sir. The lady, sir, whom I am so happy as to love,
and in whom my dreams of life-long happiness are centred, is Mimi
Watford!"

"Then, my dear Adam, I need not wait to offer congratulations. She is
indeed a very charming young lady. I do not think I ever saw a girl who
united in such perfection the qualities of strength of character and
sweetness of disposition. With all my heart, I congratulate you. Then I
may take it that my question as to your heart-wholeness is answered in
the affirmative?"

"Yes; and now, sir, may I ask in turn why the question?"