That is really my excuse for inflicting the subject upon you.

You are the only man I _can_ speak to about it--if I shall not bore you ?' "'Not in the least,' I said.

'I am most interested.' As he still hesitated, I asked him point-blank what it was.
"He appeared embarrassed.

'It is really very absurd of me,' he said, while the faintest suspicion of pink crossed his usually colourless face; 'but I feel I must talk to somebody about it.

The fact is, my dear Mac, I am in love.' "'Capital!' I cried; 'I'm delighted to hear it.' (I thought it might make a man of him.) 'Do I know the lady ?' "'I am inclined to think you must have seen her,' he replied; 'she was with me on the pier at Yarmouth that evening you met me.' "'Not 'Liza!' I exclaimed.
"'That was she,' he answered; 'Miss Elizabeth Muggins.' He dwelt lovingly upon the name.
"'But,' I said, 'you seemed--I really could not help noticing, it was so pronounced--you seemed to positively dislike her.