This remark was made with the most open assumption of patience; indeed, so transparent was the effort that Adelina greeted the reply with a merry laugh, in which Mr. Burnett joined, perforce.
"Adelina," he said, "I have wanted an opportunity of seeing you alone."
"There; it's coming," said the girl to herself, resignedly.
"Will you not reconsider your answer of last Friday?" Mr. Burnett continued.
"Don't ask me to reconsider, or even remember all of my thoughtless speeches," remarked Adelina faintly, knowing the rendition of the programme to follow as though the parts had been assigned to each one.
"You might at least listen," pleaded the young man.
"Listen," she said vehemently, "why, I could not very well help it, as I have not yet lost the sense of hearing."
"Ah, that is sufficient answer; if you loved you could not be frivolous."
"I do love," she said with such simplicity, that it is small wonder if Mr. Burnett felt encouraged and eagerly asked: