They looked at her too so strangely that Grace Plumer felt troubled and half alarmed.

"Am I too late ?" he thought.
"Miss Grace," said Abel, in a low voice.
The tone was significant.
"Mr.Newt," said she, with a half smile, as if she accepted a contest of badinage.
"Do you remember I said I was perfectly happy ?" He moved his chair a little nearer to hers.

She drew back almost imperceptibly.
"I remember you _said_ so, and I was very glad to hear it." "Do you remember my theory of perfect happiness ?" "Yes," said Miss Plumer, calmly, "I believe it was perfect love.

But I think we had better talk of something else;" and she rose from her chair and stood by the table.
"Miss Plumer!" "Mr.Newt." "It was you who first emboldened me." "I do not understand, Sir." "It was a long time ago, in my mother's conservatory." Grace Plumer remembered the evening, and she replied, more softly, "I am very sorry, Mr.Newt, that I behaved so foolishly: I was young.

But I think we did each other no harm." "No harm, I trust, indeed, Miss Grace," said Abel.