imagine I alluded, when I informed you that, woman, dear woman, was the
prize so much coveted?"

"Well, I did think," and the speaker's hesitancy was not by any means
unobserved by his friend, "for report affirmed, that Miss Wiltshire was
the lady to whom you intended to vow life-long allegiance."

"And so you supposed I had come to make a confidant of =you=. I wonder
you did not knock me down for my presumption, in expecting to eclipse
you in her eyes. No, no, my dear Sir, I was not such a simpleton, for
had I entertained hopes of that kind before, the joy which lighted up
her fine eyes, and glowed on her countenance, on that eventful meeting
with you on her return, combined, how often, with subsequent similar
observation, would have been quite sufficient proof to me that my
expectations were 'baseless as the fabric of a vision.'"

Arthur smiled and shook his head, though the subject was by no means an
unpleasing one, at least judging from his animated countenance, and the
rapt attention which he paid to every word.

"But who, may I ask, Ernest, was your informant as to my claims to the
title of 'woman-hater?'"

"Not Miss Wiltshire, I can credibly affirm. More than that I do not
think it is fair to tell you."

"Well, well, I am perfectly satisfied, and now I think it is time for us
to retrace our steps in the direction of home."