back. Who is this fellow you talk of marrying?"

"A young farmer."

"Lives here?"

"Yes; he has gone to town to get things for our wedding."

"What kind of a fellow is he?"

"A fool."

"And you would rather marry him than me?"

"Yes; because you are not one."

"That is a novel reason for refusing to marry a man," he said, leaning his
elbow on the table and watching her keenly.

"It is a wise one," she said shortly. "If I marry him I shall shake him
off my hand when it suits me. If I remained with him for twelve months he
would never have dared to kiss my hand. As far as I wish he should come,
he comes, and no further. Would you ask me what you might and what you
might not do?"

Her companion raised the moustache with a caressing movement from his lip
and smiled. It was not a question that stood in need of any answer.

"Why do you wish to enter on this semblance of marriage?"