"I am very sorry to displease you, sir," answered my friend. " If you examine my intentions with a dispassionate eye, sir, I am convinced you will have found nothing in me which should properly cause these outbursts of disapprobation. When I say, 'If Lady Mary really loves you,' I am referring to the strange mishaps and misconstructions which attend human thought at all times, and when I say"
"Let go again," I cried. "When I misunderstand you, don't enlighten me; for I find these explanations very hard to bear."
To my surprise the little man answered with great spirit: "I am unable to gain any approval for my deep interest in yor affairs, sir," he cried. "Perchance, it would be better if I could affect a profound indifference. I am certainly at a loss for words when each sentence of mine is made the subject of wrathful objection."
"You are right," said I. "But you will understand how ten thousand emotions beset and haggle a lover, and I believe he always revenges himself upon his dearest friends. Forgive me!"
"With all my heart!" answered the little Doctor, "I am aware, sir, that at the present time you are in many ways like a highly-tightened fiddle, which any breeze frets into murmurings. Now, being absolutely certain of the devotion of your beloved, you naturally"
"By the ten lame pipers of Ballydehob," I shouted, "let go of that talk. I can't be having it. I warn ye. 'T is either a grave for me, or quiet for you, and I am thinking it is quiet for you."
"Inasmuch," said the Doctor, "as my most judi-
