“No, not exactly; I had been thinking very seriously of the matter, but I have been somewhat shaken in my intention.”

“How so,” said Mr. Thomas, laying down his paper and becoming suddenly interested.

“You know that I have had an unhappy marriage which has overshadowed all my subsequent life, and I cannot help feeling very cautious how I risk, not only my own, but another’s happiness in a second marriage.  It is true that I have been thinking of proposing to Miss Harcourt and I do prefer her to any young lady I have ever known; but there is a depreciatory manner in which people speak of her, that sorely puzzles me.  For instance, when I ask some young ladies if they know Annette, they shrug their shoulders, look significantly at each other and say, ’Oh, yes, we know her; but she don’t care for anything but books; oh she is so self conceited and thinks she knows more than any one else.’  But when I spoke to Mrs. Larkins about her, she said Annette makes a fine appearance, but all is not gold that glitters.  By this time my curiosity was excited, and I asked, ’What is the matter with Miss Harcourt?  I had no idea that people were so ready to pick at her.’  She replied, ’No wonder; she is such a spitfire.’”

“Well,” said Mr. Thomas, a little hotly, “if Annette is a spitfire, Mrs. Larkins is a lot of combustion.  I think of all the women I know, she has the greatest genius for aggravation.  I used to board with her, but as I did not wish to be talked to death I took refuge in flight.”

“And so you showed the white feather that time.”

“Yes, I did, and I could show it again.  I don’t wonder that people have nick-named her ‘Aunty talk forever.’  I have known Annette for years and I known that she is naturally quick tempered and impulsive, but she is not malicious and implacable and if I were going to marry to-morrow I would rather have a quick, hot-tempered woman than a cold, selfish one, who never thought or cared about anyone but herself.  Mrs. Larkins’ mouth is not a prayer-book; don’t be uneasy about anything she says against Annette.”

Reassured by Mr. Thomas, Clarence Luzerne decided that he would ask Dr. Harcourt’s permission to visit his niece, a request which was readily granted and he determined if she would consent that she should be his wife.  He was wealthy, handsome and intelligent; Annette was poor and plain, but upright in character and richly endowed in intellect, and no one imagined that he would pass by the handsome and stylish girls of A.P. to bestow his affections on plain, neglected Annette.  Some of the girls who knew of his friendship for Annette, but who never dreamed of its termination in marriage would say to Annette, “Speak a good word for me to Mr. Luzerne;” but Annette kept her counsel and would smile and think:  I will speak a good word for myself.  Very pleasant was the growing friendship between Annette and Mr. Luzerne.  Together they read and discussed books and authors and agreed with wonderful unanimity, which often expressed itself in the words: