parlours soon after he came in.  The question of leaving the house came up and was some time debated.  This he finally determined not to do, for several reasons.  He could not always avoid her; and the attempt to do so would only make matters worse, for it would attract attention and occasion remarks.  But, although he remained with the company, he preferred keeping as distant as possible from Anna.  His feelings were yet too strong.  To meet her calmly was impossible, and to meet her in any other way, would, he felt, be wrong.  While he thus thought and felt, the husband of Anna touched him on the arm and said—­

“Come!  I must introduce you to my wife.  You were one of her old friends, but have not once called upon her since your return from the South.  She complains of your neglect, and, I think, justly.  Come!”

Westfield could not hesitate.  There was no retreat.  In a space of time shorter than it takes to write this sentence, he was standing before the young bride, struggling manfully for the mastery over himself.  This was only partial—­not complete.  Anna, on the contrary, exhibited very few, if any signs of disturbance.  She received him with a warm, frank, cordial manner, that soon made him feel at ease—­it caused a pleasant glow in his bosom.  As soon as they had fairly entered into conversation, the young husband left them.  His presence had caused Westfield to experience some restraint; this gave way as soon as he withdrew to another part of the room, and he felt that no eye but an indifferent one was upon him.  An hour passed like a minute.  When supper was announced, Westfield offered his arm to conduct Anna to the refreshment room.  She looked around for her husband, and, not seeing him, accepted. the attention.  Just as they were about leaving the parlour, Miller came up, and Westfield offered to resign his wife to his care, but he politely declined taking her from his arm.  At supper, the husband and the former lover seemed to vie with each other in their attention to Anna, who never felt happier in her life.  Why she experienced more pleasurable feelings than usual, she did not pause to inquire.  She was conscious of being happy, and that was all.

From that time, Westfield became a regular visiter at the house of Mr. Miller, with whom he was now more intimate than before.  He came and went without ceremony, and frequently spent hours with Anna while her husband was away.  This intimacy continued for two or three years without attracting any attention from the social gossips who infest every circle.

“It is high time you were married.”

Or—­

“Westfield, why don’t you go more into company?”

Or—­

“I really believe you are in love with Mrs. Miller.”