“‘I declare, Lottie, I never saw you look so pretty before.’
“‘I am truly glad that you think so; it makes me very happy to please you.’
“‘Ah! how could I be otherwise than well pleased when I know Lottie loves me? I feel like a new man since I found it out. Will my Lottie always love me?’
“‘Yes, of course I will; I am so very, very happy when you are with me, and so miserable when you are away from me. What shall become of poor me when my Eddie goes away to Philadelphia?’
“‘Let us look forward to the happy day that brings me back to my love. Let us keep our minds on the bright future, when we shall be always together.’
“‘I wish I could do that, but I cannot; I shall all the time be thinking you are ill, or that something has gone wrong with you. I should die if you were to fall ill among strangers!’
“‘I’ll take good care of myself for your sake; I’ll be prudent in all things, and let you know if anything goes wrong; but you must do the same.’
“‘Let us go in; I see Mr. Rockland waiting for you--he is going to talk to you about our engagement, and you must be careful not to offend him.’
“‘Fear nothing on that score; I think we will now come to an understanding entirely satisfactory to all parties concerned.’
“Mr. Rockland met me on the portico with his cold, placid smile, and directed me to follow him into the library. He also asked Lottie to go with us. Pointing to a seat, he requested me to take it; Lottie stood calmly by my chair, while Mr. Rockland took his usual seat on the opposite side of the table.
“‘Mr. Demar,’ he began, with his austere tone of voice, ‘I have had an interview with Lottie on the subject about which we were speaking a short while ago.’
“‘Her views and mine differed somewhat; but we have managed to reconcile them to some extent; and we may therefore reasonably hope to have all things amicably settled.’
“‘I am truly glad to hear it, Mr. Rockland.’
“‘Thank you, Edward; are you willing to promise me that the marriage shall be deferred until the end of two years from this date?’
“‘Indeed, Mr. Rockland, I should like very much to be able to comply with your request, but why not let the marriage be solemnized when I return from Philadelphia in the spring?’
“‘Lottie would be too young to marry then.’