Probably we talked about the weather and the crops; the prospects of the coming season; the expected new tenor at the opera, who was said to rival Orpheus and put Mario into the shade; or, peradventure, we discussed political economy, grumbling over the high price of meat and the general expenses of housekeeping! But, please put yourself in our place, and you will be able, I have no doubt, to imagine all we could possibly have found to chat about, much better, probably, than I can describe it.

I will merely say for your guidance, without entering into details, that it was happiness, rapture to me, to be only beside her--will that enlighten you at all?
Later on, came supper.
After that we had some part-singing of good old glees, like "The Chough and Crow," "Here in cool Grot," and the ever-beautiful "Dawn of Day." We then separated, after the pleasantest of evenings, when it was close on midnight:--Miss Pimpernell's party had been emphatically a social success.
Of course I walked home with Min.

I had been so much with her of late, that I somehow or other began to look upon her as my own property; and was jealous of the interference of anyone else.

You should have seen how I glared at Horner when he suggested, good-naturedly enough, that Min should go round, by the way that the Dasher girls and the others went, under his escort! How overjoyed I was when she politely declined the offer, saying that, as her mamma was sitting up for her, she must hurry home by the shortest way! She looked like a little fairy, tripping along beside me through the fresh-looking frozen snow, her dark dress and scarlet petticoat showing out in strong relief against the glittering white of the roadway.

The moon was shining brightly, so that it was as light as day; and I could see her face distinctly as she looked up into mine every now and then to answer some remark.