too much! I've been thinking it all over and over, and I can't make
head or tail of it. I meant to see you again as soon as we got to
town, and implore you to hear me. Come, it's a mighty serious
matter, Lucy. I'm not a man to put on heroics and that; but _I_
believe it'll play the very deuce with me, Lucy,--that is to say,
Miss Galbraith,--I do indeed. It'll give me a low opinion of woman."

MISS GALBRAITH, averting her face: "Oh, a very high opinion of woman
you have had!"

MR. RICHARDS, with sentiment: "Well, there was one woman whom I
thought a perfect angel."

MISS GALBRAITH: "Indeed! May I ask her name?"

MR. RICHARDS, with a forlorn smile. "I shall be obliged to describe
her somewhat formally as--Miss Galbraith."

MISS GALBRAITH: "Mr. Richards!"

MR. RICHARDS: "Why, you've just forbidden me to say LUCY! You must
tell me, dearest, what I have done to offend you. The worst
criminals are not condemned unheard, and I've always thought you were
merciful if not just. And now I only ask you to be just."

MISS GALBRAITH, looking out of the window: "You know very well what
you've done. You can't expect me to humiliate myself by putting your
offence into words."

MR. RICHARDS: "Upon my soul, I don't know what you mean! I DON'T