he will."

This little blow, which was intended to be severe, did not hit Isa
at all hard. That plan of a Rose Bradwardine she herself had
proposed in good faith, thinking that she could endure such a
termination to the affair without flinching. She was probably wrong
in this estimate of her power; but, nevertheless, her present object
was his release from unhappiness and doubt, not her own.

"It might be so," she said.

"Take my word for it, it would. Look all around. There was
Adelaide Schropner,--but that was before your time, and you would
not remember." Considering that Adelaide Schropner had been for
many years a grandmother, it was probable that Isa would not
remember.

"But, Uncle Hatto, you have not heard me. I want to say something
to you, if it will not take too much of your time." In answer to
which, Uncle Hatto muttered something which was unheeded, to signify
that Isa might speak.

"I also think that a long engagement is a foolish thing, and so does
Herbert."

"But he wants to marry at once."

"Yes, he wants to marry--perhaps not at once, but soon."

"And I suppose you have come to say that you want the same thing."