style;--the dark eyes and hair, with that exquisite complexion, ivory
fairness,--the form of her face the perfect oval!--what you so seldom
see--and her figure, just the right height, tall and taper! I don't
believe she could be awkward if she was to try. She'll beat every
creature hollow, especially in a few years' time when she's a little
more formed.'

'She is very young?'

'Sixteen on our wedding-day. That's the beauty of it. If she had been
a day older it would have been a different thing. Not that they could
have spoilt her,--she is a thoroughbred by nature, and no mistake.'

'How did your acquaintance begin?'

'This way,' said Arthur, leaning back, and twirling a chair on one of
its legs for a pivot. 'Fitzhugh would have me come down for a
fortnight's fishing to Wrangerton. There's but one inn there fit to
put a dog to sleep in, and when we got there we found the house turned
out of window for a ball, all the partitions down on the first floor,
and we driven into holes to be regaled with distant fiddle-squeak. So
Fitzhugh's Irish blood was up for a dance, and I thought I might as
well give in to it, for the floor shook so that there was no taking a
cigar in peace. So you see the stars ordained it, and it is of no use
making a row about one's destiny,' concluded Arthur, in a sleepy voice,
ceasing to spin the chair.

'That was your first introduction?'

'Ay. After that, one was meeting the Mosses for ever; indeed, we had