“But Belle is very kind; she did it all for your own good.”

“Of course she did; my father used to say so when I was a boy, and he corrected me; but it didn’t make me enjoy the correction.”

“It is said our best friends are those who show us our faults, and teach us how to correct them.”

“My best friend is a dear, sweet girl who sits by my side, who always welcomes me with a smile, and beguiles me so with her conversation, that I take no note of the hours until the striking of the clock warns me it is time to leave; and I should ask no higher happiness than to be permitted to pass all the remaining hours of my life at her side.  Can I dare to hope for such a happy fortune?”

A bright flush overspread the cheek of Jeanette Roland; there was a sparkle of joy in her eyes as she seemed intently examining the flowers on her mother’s carpet, and she gently referred him to Papa for an answer.  In due time Mr. Roland was interviewed, his consent obtained, and Jeanette Roland and Charles Romaine were affianced lovers.

* * * * *

“Girls, have you heard the news?” said Miss Tabitha Jones, a pleasant and wealthy spinster, to a number of young girls who were seated at her tea table.

“No! what is it?”

“I hear Mr. Romaine is to be married next spring.”

“To whom?”

“Jeanette Roland.”

“Well!  I do declare; I thought he was engaged to Belle Gordon.”

“I thought so too, but it is said that she refused him, but I don’t believe it; I don’t believe that she had a chance.”

“Well I do.”

“Why did she refuse him?”

“Because he would occasionally take too much wine.”

“But he is not a drunkard.”

“But she dreads that he will be.”

“Well!  I think it is perfectly ridiculous.  I gave Belle credit for more common sense.  I think he was one of the most eligible gentlemen in our set.  Wealthy, handsome and agreeable.  What could have possessed Belle?  I think he is perfectly splendid.”

“Yes said another girl, I think Belle stood very much in her own light.  She is not rich, and if she would marry him she could have everything heart could wish.  What a silly girl!  You wouldn’t catch me throwing away such a chance.”

“I think,” said Miss Tabitha, “that instead of Miss Gordon’s being a silly girl, that she has acted both sensibly and honorably in refusing to marry a man she could not love.  No woman should give her hand where she cannot yield her heart.”

“But Miss Tabitha, the strangest thing to me is, that I really believe that Belle Gordon cares more for Mr. Romaine than she does for any one else; her face was a perfect study that night at Mrs. Roland’s party.”

“How so?”