They are quite as intelligent as anyone of my acquaintance, I am sure, and more so than most people whom I know, and I have no doubt that their interest in the poor fellow has very good grounds." "Perhaps so," said the young man, with another curl of his lip, which exasperated his companion.

"I sometimes wonder, however, whether men and women, when they reach middle life and have been reasonably successful and happy in their own affairs, are not likely to allow their sympathies to run away with their intelligence." "It may be so," said Eleanor, "among people of your acquaintance, as a class, but I wish you distinctly to except my parents from the rule." "But, my dear girl," said the young man, "your parents are exactly the people to whom I am alluding." "Then do me the favor to change the subject of conversation," said the young lady proudly: "I never allow my parents to be criticised in my hearing by anyone but myself." "Oh, well," said the young man, "if you choose to take my remarks in that way, I presume you are at liberty to do so; but I am sure you are misunderstanding me." "I don't see how it is possible to misunderstand anything that is said so very distinctly: you lawyers have a faculty, Mr.Bartram, of saying exactly what you mean--when you choose to." "Well, I can't deny that I meant exactly what I said." "But you can at least change the subject, can't you ?" "Certainly, if you insist upon it; but the subject has been interesting me considerably of late, and I am really wondering whether my estimable friend, the judge, and his no less estimable wife may not be making a mistake which their daughter would be the most effective person in rectifying." "You do me altogether too much honor, sir.

Suppose you attempt to rectify their mistakes yourself, since you seem so positive about their existence.

To give you an opportunity of preparing yourself to do so, I will bid you good day." Saying which, the young woman abruptly turned into the residence of an acquaintance to make an afternoon call, leaving the young man rather more disconcerted than he would have liked to admit to any of his acquaintances.
He retraced his steps, moodily muttering to himself, and apparently arguing also, for the forefinger of one hand was occasionally touching the palm of the other, and, apparently without knowing in what direction he was walking, he found himself opposite the shop of the shoemaker who had been the indirect cause of his quarrel with his sweetheart.
"Confound that fellow!" muttered Bartram, "he's in my way wherever I move.

I've heard too much of him in the stores and the courts and everywhere else that I have been obliged to go.