"You reminded me of some one whom I used to know and dislike four years and a half ago," she answered, faintly.
She half hoped that the date she gave would form a link in his mind; but her words evidently conveyed to him no hint of her intention, for he only laughed.
"Four years and a half ago you must have been such a very little girl that your prejudices were probably wholly unreasonable," he said, cheerfully. "How old are you now, Lina?"
"Twenty."
"As old as that? I thought you were fully two years younger. Well, Lina, there is just the right difference between us. What does Shakspere say?—
'Let still the woman take
An elder than herself; so wears she to him,
So sways she level in her husband's heart.'
Our marriage will be ideal in every way."
"If I marry you."
"If! You won't be able to help yourself. How slowly this mare is going!"