say?"

"Tell him I am studying hard and like the city."

"But about us--about you and me?"

"Must we talk of that here--on the street?"

She spoke almost pleadingly, with the same soft clouding of her loveliness
that I had seen the day before?

"But I must speak," I said. "You were right yesterday, I won't ask
anything of you until I have made a start; but I must know that you still
love me; that will be enough. I can wait. I won't hurry you. That is all,
Helen. Everything shall be as you wish; but--you do love me?"

"Oh, you great tease! Why, I suppose I do; but--so much has happened, I
don't know myself now; you didn't know me when you first saw me here. Why
can't you wait and--don't you hope New York vill agree vit' you?"

She laughed with tantalizing roguery. "You _do_ love me!" I cried.
"And we shall be so happy with all our dreams come true--happy to be
together and here! If you knew how I have looked forward to coming, and
now--yesterday I thought myself insane, but I wasn't! You are the most
marvellous--"

"Am I? Oh, I'm glad! So glad!"

I was confused, overjoyed at her sudden sparkle; the soft, flashing light
of her was fire and dew. She made visible nature sympathize with her