Maynard! I have n't any opinion on the subject, Miss Breen; I haven't,
indeed!"

"Oh, you can't back out, now!" exclaimed Mrs. Maynard joyously. "You've
said it."

"And you're quite right, Mr. Libby," said Grace haughtily. She bade him
good-morning; but he followed her from the room, and left Mrs. Maynard to
her triumph.

"Miss Breen--Do let me speak to you, please! Upon my word and honor, I
didn't know what she was driving at; I did n't, indeed! It's pretty rough
on me, for I never dreamt of setting myself up as a judge of your
affairs. I know you're right, whatever you think; and I take it all back;
it was got out of me by fraud, any way. And I beg your pardon for not
calling you Doctor--if you want me to do it. The other comes more
natural; but I wish to recognize you in the way you prefer, for I do feel
most respectul--reverent--"

He was so very earnest and so really troubled, and he stumbled about so
for the right word, and hit upon the wrong one with such unfailing
disaster, that she must have been superhuman not to laugh. Her laughing
seemed to relieve him even more than her hearty speech. "Call me how you
like, Mr. Libby. I don't insist upon anything with you; but I believe I
prefer Miss Breen."

"You're very kind! Miss Breen it is, then. And you'll, forgive my siding
against you?" he demanded radiantly.

"Don't speak of that again, please. I've nothing to forgive you."