Should he submit to her decision, he would go home and settle himself to his books the next day; but on no following day would he be again capable of walking forth among his flowers with an easy heart.

He was a strong, constant man, perhaps over-conscious of his own strength; but then his strength was great.

"He is perfect!" Alice had said to herself often.

"Oh that he were less perfect!" He did not stay with her long after the last word that has been recorded.

"Perhaps," he said, as for a moment he held her hand at parting, "I had better not come to-morrow." "No, no; it is better not." "I advise you not to tell your father of this, and doubtless you will think of it before you do so.