“When do you expect to see Dunbar?”

“I promised to ride with him this afternoon; but I prefer not to discuss this subject, as he has earnestly requested me ’to abstain from any reference to that gloomy business during his hours of recreation;’ and I have no intention of setting black care en croupe to share our canter to-day.  Having told me that when he leaves his office to visit us, he locks his professional affairs in his desk, you can readily understand that good taste enforces respect for his wishes, at least in the matter of avoiding tabooed topics.”

“Does it occur to you that he will object very strenuously to seeing the personification of ‘that gloomy business’ sitting at your hearth-stone?  That he may refuse to lock up in his law office the significant and disagreeable reflection, that the woman whom he arrested find prosecutes for a vile crime, is championed and housed by one whom he claims as his promised wife?  Dunbar has a keen eye for the ‘eternal fitness of things,’ and, where you are concerned, is a jealous stickler for social convenance.  I warn you he will be bitterly offended, if you bring General Darrington’s granddaughter under this roof.”

Her delicate flower-like face flushed; and the slight figure became proudly erect.

“It is my house, and I acquit him of the presumption of desiring to dictate to whom its doors shall be opened.  If he has no confidence in my discretion, no respect for my motives, no tolerance for difference of opinion in a matter of vital importance, then the sooner our engagement is annulled the better for both of us.  When I have taken my vows, I hope I shall steadfastly keep them, but meantime I am still a Gordon.  The irrevocable ubi tu Caius, ego Caia, has not yet been uttered, and while it would grieve me very much to wound his feelings, I claim the exercise of my own judgment.  I am not indifferent to his wishes; on the contrary, I ardently desire, as far as is consistent with my self-respect, to defer to them; but when I pledged him my faith, I did not surrender my will, nor obliterate my individuality.”

Judge Dent rose, put his arm around her shoulders, and drew the sunny head to his breast.

“Leo, listen to me.  There is no heaven on earth, but the nearest approach to it, the outlying suburbs whence we get bewildering glimpses of beatitude beyond, is the season of courtship and betrothal.  In the magical days of sweetheartdom, a silvery glorifying glamour wraps the world, brims jagged black chasms with glittering mist, paves rugged paths with its shimmering folds, and tenderly covers very deep in rose leaves, the clay feet of our idols.  That wonderful light shines only once full upon us, but the memory of it streams all along the succeeding journey; follows us up the arid heights, throws its mellow afterglow on the darkening road, as we go swiftly down the slippery hill of life.  It comes to all, as hope’s happy prophecy, this sparkling prologue, and we never dream that it is the sweetest and best of the drama that follows; but let me tell you, enjoy it while you may.  Beautiful, hallowing sweetheart days, keep them unclouded, guard them from strife; hold them for the precious enchantment they bring, and take an old man’s advice, do not quarrel with your sweetheart.”