that hid every feature but the eyes, which now and then followed very closely the footsteps of their lords.  The object of our attention showed marked surprise as we approached her, and yet more when, seeing that I was at a loss for words, Eveena herself spoke a kindly and gracious sentence.  The girl’s voice was soft and low, and her tone and words, as we gradually fell into a hesitating and broken conversation, confirmed the impression made by her appearance.  When, after a few minutes, I moved to depart, there was in Eveena’s reluctant steps and expressive upturned eyes a meaning I could not understand.  As soon as we were out of hearing, moving so as partly to hide my countenance and entirely to conceal her own gesture from the object of her compassion, she checked my steps by a gentle pressure on my arm and looked up earnestly into my face.

“What is it?” I asked.  “You seem to have some wish that I cannot conjecture; and you can trust by this time my anxiety to gratify every desire of yours, reasonable or not—­if indeed you ever were unreasonable.”

“She is so sad, so lonely,” Eveena answered, “and she is so fond of Eunane.”

“You don’t mean that you want me to make her an offer!” I exclaimed in extreme amazement.

“Do not be angry,” pleaded Eveena.  “She would be glad to accept any offer you would be likely to make; and the money you gave me yesterday would have paid all she would cost you for many years.  Besides, it would please Eunane, and it would make Velna so happy.”

“You must know far better than I can what is likely to make her happy,” I replied.  “Strange to the ideas and customs of your world, I cannot conceive that a woman can wish to take the last place in a household like ours rather than the first or only one with the poorest of her people.”

“She will hardly have the choice,” Eveena answered.  “Those whom you can call poor mostly wait till they can have their choice before they marry; and if taken by some one who could not afford a more expensive choice, she would only be neglected, or dismissed ill provided for, as soon as he could purchase one more to his taste.”

“If,” I rejoined at last, “you think it a kindness to her, and are sure she will so think it; if you wish it, and will avouch her contentment with a place in the household of one who does not desire her, I will comply with this as with any wish of yours.  But it is not to my:  mind to take a wife out of mere compassion, as I might readily adopt a child.”

Once more, with all our mutual affection and appreciation of each other’s character, Eveena and I were fat as the Poles apart in thought if not in feeling.  It was as impossible for her to emancipate herself utterly from the ideas and habits of her own world, as for me to reconcile myself to them.  I led her back at last to her seat, and beckoned Eunane to my side.

“Eveena,” I said, “has been urging me to offer your friend yonder a place in our household.”