He was willing--nay, anxious--to entrust his whole life's happiness to my discretion.

That he was wise in so doing, I entertained no doubt.

The choice of a wife I had always held to be a matter needing a calm, unbiassed judgment, such as no lover could possibly bring to bear upon the subject.

In such a case, I should not have hesitated to offer advice to the wisest of men.

To this poor, simple-minded fellow, I felt it would be cruel to refuse it.
"He handed me photographs of both the young persons under consideration.
I jotted down on the back of each such particulars as I deemed would assist me in estimating their respective fitness for the vacancy in question, and promised to carefully consider the problem, and write him in a day or two.
"His gratitude was touching.