he had any thing more to say.

"It was a very sudden affair. We were both hot and angry; but he is
smaller than I, and I should have done nothing had he not struck me,
and fallen upon me so that I was obliged to defend myself."

"Yes--to be sure--in that case," said Hope, still lingering, and
remarking the music of his voice. Abel continued--while the girl's eyes
saw how well he looked upon that lawn--the clustering black hair--the
rich eyes--the dark complexion--the light of intelligence playing upon
his face--his dress careful but graceful--and the port-folio which showed
this interview to be no design or expectation, but a mere chance--

"I am very sorry you should have had the pain of seeing such a spectacle,
and I am ashamed my first introduction to you should have been at such a
time."

Hope Wayne lingered, looking on the ground.

"I think, indeed," continued Abel, "that you owe me an opportunity of
making a better impression."

"Hope! Hope!" came floating the sound of a distant voice calling in the
garden.

Hope Wayne turned her head toward the voice, but her eyes looked upon the
ground, and her feet still lingered.

"I have known you so long, and yet have never spoken to you," said the
musical voice at her side; "I have seen you so constantly in church, and