The case is indeed a complicated one." "And what makes it more so," said Annie, "is Aunt Keswick's belief that you are in love with Miss March, and that you want to get a chance to propose to her.

She does think that, doesn't she ?" "Yes," said Lawrence, "I must admit that she does." "And she must be made to understand that that is entirely at an end," continued Annie.

"All this will be a very difficult task, Lawrence, and I don't see how it is to be done." "But we shall do it," he answered, "and we must not forget to be very prudent, until it is fully settled how we shall do it." When Lawrence retired to his room, and sat down to hold that peculiar court in which he was judge, jury, lawyers, and witnesses, as well as the prisoner at the bar, he had to do with a case, a great deal more complicated and difficult than that which perplexed the mind of Miss Annie Peyton.

He began by the very unjudicial act of pledging himself, to himself, that nothing should interfere with this new, this true love.

In spite of all that might be said, done, or thought, Annie Peyton should be his wife.