"I know my temper is bad, but she seems to do every thing in her power to excite it. Why should you always blame me?"
"Am I blaming you?" she asked, softly. "It is not my place to express any opinion upon your differences with Miss Waring."
"I don't see why; both Margaret and myself regard you as a friend. I know she tells you all her troubles freely enough; why should you refuse to listen to my part of the story?"
"I do not refuse," she answered, sighing heavily; "but it pains me to know that you disagree so terribly."
"Disagree is a mild word; I admire your politeness; you know we quarrel like two hawks in a cage."
Miss Chase sighed again. This deep breath expressed as much sympathy as words could have done, and was far safer just there.
"The truth is," exclaimed Laurence, suddenly, "Margaret does not love me; there is the foundation of our troubles."
"Are you not judging hastily?"
"No; I have felt it for a long time; I am certain of it now. Tell me: do you believe any woman who loved a man would act as she does? Do you consider that she conducts herself as an engaged person should?"