are not tired, if you are not hungry, come along with me, and I'll
introduce you to my charming Alicia Barton."

"I am both tired and hungry," replied Wright: "so let us have a hot
beef-steak, and let me sit down and rest myself."

It was the utmost stretch of Marvel's patience to wait for the
beef-steak; and he could scarcely conceive how any one could prefer
eating it to seeing his charming Alicia. He did not eat a morsel
himself, but walked up and down the room with quick steps.

"Oh! my dear Wright," cried he, "it is a sign you've never seen her, or
you would eat a little faster."

"Does every body eat fast, who has seen Miss Barton?" said Wright; "then
to be sure I should; for I have seen her within this half hour."

"Seen her! Seen Alicia! Seen her within this half hour! That's
impossible.--How could you see her? Where could you see her?" "I saw her
in your company," rejoined Wright, coolly.

"In my company! How could that be, without my seeing you?--You are
making a jest of me."

"Not at all; only take care that you do not make a jest of yourself. I
assure you that I say nothing but truth: I've seen you and your Miss
Barton this very morning: nay, I'll tell you what you said to her; you
told her that you could not sell Clover-hill till I came to town."

Marvel stared, and stood in silent astonishment.