These words were uttered with a mild simplicity which provoked
Longueville to violent laughter.

"My dear fellow," he exclaimed, "you have, after all, your little
oddities."

Singularly enough, however, Gordon Wright failed to appear flattered by
this concession.

"I did n't send for you to laugh at me," he said.

"Ah, but I have n't travelled three hundred miles to cry! Seriously,
solemnly, then, it is one of these young ladies that has put marriage
into your head?"

"Not at all. I had it in my head."

"Having a desire to marry, you proceeded to fall in love."

"I am not in love!" said Gordon Wright, with some energy.

"Ah, then, my dear fellow, why did you send for me?"

Wright looked at him an instant in silence.

"Because I thought you were a good fellow, as well as a clever one."

"A good fellow!" repeated Longueville. "I don't understand your
confounded scientific nomenclature. But excuse me; I won't laugh. I am
not a clever fellow; but I am a good one." He paused a moment, and then