"A man," I observed, sententiously, "is better off with no wife at all than with three."
His subtle mind caught the flaw instantly.
"Negative happiness," he murmured; "very negative. Oh, I would I could marry all the sweet creatures!"
Having our tiffins saddled, we rode off at a breakneck pace, and cleverly managed to ride down the uncle of the heroine.
"Dear uncle," casually remarked that young lady, riding up, "I hope you are not hurt."
"What an original remark!" exclaimed Jacobs, with rapture. "Miss Eastinhoe is beautiful and sensible. I like her. What do you suppose she is worth?"
CHAPTER III.
Having tiffined, we reclined upon a divan.