"Well, no; I can't say you do."
"I have not even sworn never to marry," continued Major Ashton.
"Perhaps you have already made a second choice?"
"I have."
"And you have come to tell me of it? How delightful!"
"I wish I could be sure you would say that after hearing the name of that choice."
"Perhaps I may. Who is it?"
"Now for it!" thought the major. "Now to test the value of soft sawder!"
He drew his chair nearer that of Mrs. Sheldon, and began to speak.
"In paying my attention to Miss Dearborn," he said, "I had an opportunity of becoming acquainted with the attractive qualities of another. I was not conscious of the interest which that other excited in me till my heart, thrown back upon itself in its loneliness, sought another object for its affection. Do you understand?"