It was a dull business--except, indeed, for Paul Howard Alexis.

As for the lady--the only lady his honest, simple world contained--who shall say?
Inwardly she may have been in trembling, coy alarm, in breathless, blushing hesitation.

Outwardly she was, however, exceedingly composed and self-possessed.

She had been as careful as ever of her toilet--as hard to please; as--dare we say snappish with her maids?
The beautiful hair had no one of its aureate threads out of place.

The pink of her shell-like cheek was steady, unruffled, fair to behold.