'  One  moment,  and  I'll  be  with  you,'  replied  Coverdale,
springing  to  Alice's  side ;  '  then  I  may  tell  him  everything  ? '  he
continued.
'  Oh,  yes,'  was  the  unhesitating  answer.
'And  you  willvia.it  for  us  at  the  stile?  I  won't  detain  him
five  minutes.'

'  li you  wish  it.'

'  Can  you  doubt  it  ? '  were  the  necessary  lover-like  re-
joinders ;  and  Coverdale  returned  to  his  friend,  who  looked
especially  puzzled  and  slightly  provoked.
'  Now  be  silent ! '  exclaimed  Hazlehurst,  as  Harry  was  about,
with  the  greatest  volubility,  to  plunge  at  once  in  medias  res.
'  You've  lived  amongst  women  till  you've  learned  to  chatter
like  them,  I  think.  I  shall  never  bring  you  to  the  point,
unless  you  will  let  me  cross-examine  you.'

'  Fire  away,  then  ;  only  look  sharp,  for  your  sister  must
not  be  kept  waiting,'  was  the  reply.
'You've  grown  wonderfully  polite  and  attentive  all  of  a
sudden,'  returned  Arthur,  sarcastically.  '  But  now  listen  to
me.     Has  Crane  made  Alice  an  offer  ? '

Harry  replied  in  the  affirmative.
'  Did  she  refuse  him  ? '

'  Of  course  she  did,'  was  the  disdainful  rejoinder.
