either form or feature.  She turned from the glass with a faint sigh, wishing for his sake that she was as beautiful as some of the other girls in A.P., whom he had overlooked, not thinking for one moment that in loving her for what she was in intellect and character he had paid her a far greater compliment than if she had been magnificently beautiful and he had only been attracted by an exquisite form and lovely face.  In a few days after Mr. Luzerne’s proposal to Annette he came for the answer, to which he looked with hope and suspense.

“I am glad,” he said, “to find you at home.”

“Yes; all the rest of the family are out.”

“Then the coast is clear for me?” There was tenderness and decision in his voice as he said, “Now, Annette, I have come for the answer which cannot fail to influence all my future life.”  He clasped the little hand which lay limp and passive in his own.  His dark, handsome eyes were bent eagerly upon her as if scanning every nook and corner of her soul.  Her eye fell beneath his gaze, her hand trembled in his, tears of joy were springing to her eyes, but she restrained them.  She withdrew her hand from his clasp; he looked pained and disappointed.  “Have I been too hasty and presumptuous?”

Annette said no rather faintly, while her face was an enigma he did not know how to solve.

“Why did you release your hand and avert your eyes?”

“I felt that my will was succumbing to yours, and I want to give you an answer untrammeled and uncontrolled by your will.”

Mr. Luzerne smiled, and thought what rare thoughtfulness and judgment she has evinced.  How few women older than herself would have thought as quickly and as clearly, and yet she is no less womanly, although she seems so wise.

“What say you, my dear Annette, since I have released your hand.  May I not hope to hold this hand as the most precious of all my earthly possessions until death us do part?”

Annette fixed her eyes upon the floor as if she were scanning the figures on the carpet.  Her heart beat quickly as she timidly repeated the words, “Until death us do part,” and placed her hand again in his, while an expression of love and tender trust lit up the mobile and expressive face, and Annette felt that his love was hers; the most precious thing on earth that she could call her own.  The engagement being completed, the next event in the drama was preparation for the wedding.  It was intended that the engagement should not be long.  Together they visited different stores in purchasing supplies for their new home.  How pleasant was that word to the girl, who had spent such lonely hours in the home of her uncle.  To her it meant one of the brightest spots on earth and one of the fairest types of heaven.  In the evening they often took pleasant strolls together or sat and chatted in a beautiful park near their future home.  One evening as they sat quietly enjoying themselves Annette said, “How happened it that you preferred me to all the other girls in A. P.?  There are lots of girls more stylish and better looking; what did you see in poor, plain me?” He laughingly replied: