"But now," said I, hesitating, meaning without his wife.
His countenance brightened with a smile, as he said, "You will find me very little changed in my tastes. I am just the same man."
I blushed with indignation, and wanted to say, "no, you are very much altered, for you are a married man." "Where is your wife?" I asked, after a pause.
He started and looked me full in the face. Seeing I still waited for an answer, he said, "I did not understand you."
"Where is Mrs. Benson?" I repeated.
For an instant he looked terribly stern. Then recovering himself, and evidently forcing a laugh, said, "that is a question far easier to ask than to answer."
I made no reply, but looked at him in astonishment.
Seeing me very serious, he said, "I fear you are laboring under a mistake, and are giving me more than is my due. I have not the happiness to be a married man."
I'm sure, I can't tell whether I screamed, or not; I know I felt like it. "And aren't you about to be married to Miss Karswell, from the South?" I asked eagerly.
He bit his lips as he smiled and looked down, but presently said, "I have not even that honor."