tongue. He exploded in the three words which mean three volumes in every
circulating library in the kingdom.

"I love her."

Sir Patrick sat back in his chair, and stretched out his legs
luxuriously.

"That's the most convincing answer I ever heard in my life," he said.

"I'm in earnest!" cried Arnold, reckless by this time of every
consideration but one. "Put me to the test, Sir! put me to the test!"

"Oh, very well. The test is easily put." He looked at Arnold, with the
irrepressible humor twinkling merrily in his eyes, and twitching sharply
at the corners of his lips. "My niece has a beautiful complexion. Do you
believe in her complexion?"

"There's a beautiful sky above our heads," returned Arnold. "I believe
in the sky."

"Do you?" retorted Sir Patrick. "You were evidently never caught in a
shower. My niece has an immense quantity of hair. Are you convinced that
it all grows on her head?"

"I defy any other woman's head to produce the like of it!"

"My dear Arnold, you greatly underrate the existing resources of the
trade in hair! Look into the shop-windows. When you next go to London
pray look into the show-windows. In the mean time, what do you think of