E is such a man for home," said Anne.
"Still, it would be as well to make perfectly sure of your feelings," said Wisdom.
"Well, of course, I'm in love," said Anne, slightly impatiently; "that's understood."
"You have been equally certain before," said Wisdom.
"I shall never be certain of anything if I let you keep on analysing," said Anne. "Leave me alone to my feelings. I—love—Reginald! Let it stay right there!"
"By all means if it will, but will it?" persisted Wisdom, who had no scruples about intruding where it was not wanted.
"This love is a sensible domestic love," said Anne, firmly; "quite different from the others."
"Prove that," said Wisdom. "See if it will stand the test of my inquiries."
"Oh, you are an old nuisance!" said Anne, really a little exasperated. "Whenever I'm dashing along, and just got into my stride, so to speak, you always pull me up. I can never do a thing I want."
"But you don't want to marry just yet," said Wisdom; "surely not!"
"I suppose I shall have to, some day," said Anne. "I don't say that there's anything particularly attractive about settling down at this particular moment. The point is, I consider Reginald a peculiarly good thing in the way of husbands, and I think I ought to take advantage of the opportunity, which may not occur again. Men like Reginald are few and far between."
"In the circles in which you move," said Wisdom; "in the provinces, or suburbs, home-birds are plentiful enough."
"It is the most valuable, beautiful, and attractive sort of bird, the home-bird," said Anne, in a saintly voice. "Only through marriage can we learn the meaning of the word 'home.' We are simply lonely birds of passage till we have made a nest."
"It's close quarters in a nest," said Wisdom, "not that I would say anything against having a nest—to yourself Rest is pleasant after continual migrations; but constant companionship with any one person is apt to be a little nerve-destroying, isn't it?"
"With most people, yes," said Anne, triumphantly. "But Reginald is so different. He is rest incarnate. He will never want to rush about, shooting, and hunting, and playing cards, and giving dinners, and yachting, and"
"No, he'll always be there," said Wisdom, thoughtfully, dropping on to the black side of the picture with fiendish ingenuity as usual.
"But I needn't be," said Anne. "And I'm sure I shall like to think of Reginald sitting quiet and happy at home while I am frolicing around. It gives one such a nice safe feeling to know one has a husband in a little nest, just there and ready for you when you're tired of frivolling and flirting."
"You think Reginald will stay quiet while you flirt about?" said Wisdom, with alarmingly wide-opened eyes. "My dear Anne, no man feels more strongly than Reginald that a wife's place is at her husband's side. That Reginald does not consider your place at his feet is a most striking tribute to your charms and talent."
"He is the most appreciative person I ever knew!" said Anne, waving the principal point that Wisdom raised with delicate tact. "Whatever I do, he will think perfectly wonderful, and be so proud! When things go wrong outside, and the world is critical and harsh, what a refuge Reginald's appreciative love would be!"
"You will find Reginald's love is of the proprietary order," said Wisdom. "When you are once his legally, the door of his home will be firmly shut on the outside world. You may look at it through Reginald's windows—you may even venture out a few steps, closely guarded by Reginald; but you will be in Reginald's keeping all the time, and he will let you be conscious of the fact."
"Well, that will be a very nice, secure feeling, to be guarded," said Anne, who seemed to have quite set her heart on marrying Reginald. "If Reginald worships his Penates Lares, I think the position of household goddess will be a very enjoyable one, for Reginald's devotion is not of an ephemeral nature; once given, it is given for ever. It is built up on the foundations of his character; it is a part of his whole being."
"How do you know that?" said Wisdom.
"I have seen Reginald in his home," said Anne. "I have stayed with his people. That is the only adequate test of a contemplated husband—you must see him at home. Well, Reginald is absolutely devoted to his people. He thinks them perfect."
"Because they are his people!" said Wisdom.