Not that I see, or have seen anything that I could possibly help." "And what have you seen, Mr Gresham ?" "Why, I know you have been writing to him." "Did he tell you so ?" "No; he did not tell me; but I know it." For a moment she sat silent, and then her face again resumed its usual happy smile.

"Come, Mr Gresham, you are not going to quarrel with me, I hope, even if I did write a letter to your cousin.

Why should I not write to him?
I correspond with all manner of people.
I'll write to you some of these days if you'll let me, and will promise to answer my letters." Frank threw himself back on the sofa on which he was sitting, and, in doing so, brought himself somewhat nearer to his companion than he had been; he then drew his hand slowly across his forehead, pushing back his thick hair, and as he did so he sighed somewhat plaintively.
"I do not care," said he, "for the privilege of correspondence on such terms.

If my cousin George is to be a correspondent of yours also, I will give up my claim." And then he sighed again, so that it was piteous to hear him.

He was certainly an arrant puppy, and an egregious ass into the bargain; but then, it must be remembered in his favour that he was only twenty-one, and that much had been done to spoil him.