She would do any thing to prevent your marrying me.

The reasons I will tell you at another time.

If you go home and talk with her and Hope Wayne, you can not help betraying that you are engaged to me; and--you know your mother, Alfred--she would openly oppose the marriage, and I don't know what she might not say to my father." Fanny spoke clearly and rapidly, but calmly.

Alfred looked utterly bewildered.
"It's a great pity, isn't it ?" said he, feebly.

"What do you think we had better do ?" "We must be married, Alfred, dear!" "Yes; but when, Fanny ?" "To-day," said Fanny, firmly, and putting out her hand to her beloved.
He seized it mechanically.
"To-day, Fanny ?" asked he, after a pause of amazement.
"Certainly, dear--to-day.