have not read a word of my own since the club began."

"Then how the devil should I be worse off than you?"

"I didn't say you were. I only said you did your best to place yourself at
a disadvantage. I at least took a part in the affair, although a very
humble one. But depend upon it, a girl like Miss Cathcart thinks more of
mental gifts, than of any outward advantages which a man may possess; and
in the company of those who _think_, a fellow's good looks don't go for
much. She could not help measuring you by those other men--and women too.
But you may console yourself with the reflection that there are plenty of
girls, and pretty ones too, of a very different way of judging; and for my
part you are welcome to the pick of them."

"You mean to say that I sha'n't have Addie?"

"Not in the least. But, come now--do you think yourself worthy of a girl
like that?"

"No. Do you?"

"No. But I should not feel such a hypocrite if she thought me worthy, as
to give her up on that ground."

"Then what _do_ you mean?"

"To win her, if I can."

"Whew!"