The old man was walking slowly, with his hands clasped behind his back and with his eyes fixed on the path as he went;--and he spoke slowly, evidently weighing his words as he uttered them, bringing home to his hearer a conviction that the matter discussed was one of supreme importance to the speaker,--as to which he had thought much, so as to be able to express his settled resolutions.

"I've told you all now, Arthur;--only this.

I do not know how long I may be able to resist this man's claim if it be backed by Emily's entreaties.

I am thinking very much about it.

I do not know that I have really been able to think of anything else for the last two months.