.

THE DEAD BRIDE.
"Well," said Ormiston, drawing a long bath, "what do you think of that ?" "Think?
Don't ask me yet." said Sir Norman, looking rather bewildered.
"I'm in such a state of mystification that I don't rightly know whether I'm standing on my head or feet.

For one thing, I have come to the conclusion that your masked ladylove must be enchantingly beautiful." "Have I not told you that a thousand times, O thou of little faith?
But why have you come to such a conclusion ?" "Because no woman with such a figure, such a voice and such hands could be otherwise." "I knew you would own it some day.

Do you wonder now that I love her ?" "Oh! as to loving her," said Sir Norman, coolly, "that's quite another thing.

I could no more love her or her hands, voice, and shape, than I could a figure in wood or wax; but I admire her vastly, and think her extremely clever.