I had laid my plan already, and after a little chaff and a few turns I challenged her to a set flirtation.

'Let us swear,' I said, 'to be honest, and let us make a bet of a dozen pairs of gloves.

If one of us really falls in love, he or she must acknowledge it and pay the gloves.' It was agreed, for she was in great spirits that night, and laughed at the idea that she could ever fall in love with _me_--poor me! who have so little that is attractive.

At first she thought it was only a joke, but as I began to visit her regularly and to go through all the formalities of love-making, she became interested.

We were soon the talk of the town, and everybody said we were going to be married.