“You must be of an uncommonly impatient turn of mind,” she said, “for you haven’t been here three hours, altogether, and hundreds of persons sit still that long, just because they want to.”

“I don’t want to sit still a minute,” said Lawrence.  “I very much wish to speak to Miss March.  Couldn’t you contrive an opportunity for me to do so?”

“It is possible that I might,” she said, “but I won’t.  Haven’t I told you that I don’t approve of this affair of yours?  My cousin is in love with Miss March, and all I should do for you would be directly against him.  Aunt so managed things this morning that I was actually obliged to give you an opportunity to be with her, but I had intended going with Roberta to the woods, as she had asked me to do.”

“You are very cruel,” said Lawrence.

“No, I am not,” said she, “I am only just.”  “I explained to you yesterday,” said he, “that your course of thinking and acting is not just, and is of no possible advantage to anybody.  How can it injure your cousin if Miss March refuses me and I go away and never see her again?  And, if she accepts me, then you should be glad that I had put an end to your cousin’s pursuit of a woman who does not love him.”

“That is nonsense,” said she.  “I shouldn’t be glad at all to see him disappointed.  I should feel like a traitor if I helped you.  But I did not come to talk about these things.  I came to ask you what you would have for dinner.”

“I had an idea,” said Lawrence, not regarding this remark, “that you were a young lady of a kindly disposition.”

“And you don’t think so, now?” she said.

“No,” answered Lawrence, “I cannot.  I cannot think a woman kind who will refuse to assist a man, situated as I am, to settle the most important question of his life, especially as I have told you, before, that it is really to the interest of the one you are acting for, that it should be settled.”

Miss Annie, still standing in front of the door, now regarded Lawrence with a certain degree of thoughtfullness on her countenance, which presently changed to a half smile.  “If I were perfectly sure,” she said, “that she would reject you, I would try to get her here, and have the matter settled, but I don’t know her very well yet, and can’t feel at all certain as to what she might do.”

“I like your frankness,” said Lawrence, “but, as I said before, you are very cruel.”

“Not at all,” said she, “I am very kind, only—­”

“You don’t show it,” interrupted Lawrence.

At this Miss Annie laughed.  “Kindness isn’t of much use, if it is shut up, is it?” she said.  “I suppose you think it is one of those virtues that we ought to act out, as well as feel, if we want any credit.  And now, isn’t there something I can do for you besides bringing another man’s sweetheart to you?”

Lawrence smiled.  “I don’t believe she is his sweetheart,” he said, “and I want to find out if I am right.”