Eugene cordially agreed with his point of view; and Ayre felt that he was in a fair way to be rid of the matter, when one day Claudia sprang upon him with a new assault.
He had come to see her, and tender hearty congratulations.

He felt that the successful issue of Eugene's suit was in some degree his own work, and he was well pleased that his two favorites should have taken to one another.

Moreover, he reaped intellectual satisfaction from the fulfillment of a prophecy made when its prospect of realization seemed very scant.

Claudia admitted her own pleasure in her engagement, and did not attempt to deny that her affection had dated from a period when by all the canons of propriety she should have had no thoughts of Eugene.
"We are not responsible for our emotions," she said, laughing; "and you will admit I behaved with the utmost decorum." "About your usual decorum," he replied.

"The situation was difficult." "It was indeed," she sighed.