And he walked away, feeling nothing, thinking nothing, except that he was engaged.  Engaged!  The very idea seemed to add new dignity to him, while it invested Mabel with a charm she had not hitherto possessed.  John Jr. liked everything that belonged to him exclusively, and Mabel now was his—­his wife she would be—­and when next he met her in the drawing-room, his manner toward her was unusually kind, attracting the attention of his mother, who wondered at the change.  One after another the family retired, until there was no one left in the parlor except Mabel and Mrs. Livingstone, who, as her husband chanced to be absent, had invited her young visitor to share her room.  When they were alone, Mabel, with many blushes and a few tears, told of all that had occurred, except, indeed, of John’s manner of proposing, which she thought best not to confide to a third person.

Eagerly Mrs. Livingstone listened, mentally congratulating herself upon the completion of her plan without her further interference, wondering the while how it had been so suddenly brought about, and half trembling lest it should prove a failure after all.  So when Mabel spoke of John Jr.’s wish that the marriage should be consummated immediately, she replied, “Certainly—­by all means.  There is no necessity for delay.  You can marry at once, and get ready afterwards.  It is now the last of June.  I had thought of going to Saratoga in July, and a bride is just the thing to give eclat to our party.”

“But,” answered Mabel, who hardly fancied a wedding without all the usual preparations, which she felt she should enjoy so much, “I cannot think of being married until October, when Nellie perhaps will be here.”

Nellie’s return was what Mrs. Livingstone dreaded, and very ingeniously she set herself at work to put aside Mabel’s objections, succeeding so far that the young girl promised compliance with whatever she should think proper.  The next morning, as John Jr. was passing through the hall, she called him into her room, delicately broaching the subject of his engagement, saying she knew he could not help loving a girl possessed of so many excellent qualities as Mabel Ross.  Very patiently John Jr. heard her until she came to speak of love.  Then, in much louder tones than newly engaged men are apt to speak of their betrothed, he exclaimed, “Love!  Fudge!  If you think I’m marrying Mabel for love, you are greatly mistaken, I like her, but love is out of the question.”

“Pray what are you marrying her for?  Her property?”

“Property!” repeated John, with a sneer, “I’ve seen the effect of marrying for property, and I trust I’m not despicable enough to try it for myself.  No, madam, I’m not marrying her for money—­but to spite Nellie Douglass, if you must know the reason.  I’ve loved her as I shall never again love womankind, but she cheated me.  She’s married to Robert Wilbur, and now I’ve too much spirit to have