"HEIDELBERG, August 27, 1871.
"MISS ST. CLAIR: Your somewhat singular letter of August 5th was duly received. If I believed that you had written it, or ever could or would do anything, with proper deliberation, I should accept your decision at once. But as I have good reason to know your habit of acting from sudden impulses which you afterward regret, I give you three months to reconsider this hasty step.
"I have the honor to be your obedient servant,
"F. A. DENHAM."
Helen held to me the open sheet, with kindling eyes and glowing cheeks: "Three months! I don't need three minutes: I wouldn't change in three centuries. I am so glad to be free!" she cried, sobbing and laughing at the same moment. "He has worried me so—a poor little thing like me!"
The next morning I started on my return to Boston.
Early in October a servant handed me a card bearing the name Francisco Alvala. I had ceased to think of the boy, not having heard a word from him; but here he was, looking very manly, browned with the sun and sea, and beautiful as Endymion when Diana stooped to kiss him and all the green leaves in the white moonshine were tremulous with sympathy.
After the first greeting he asked, "How is Miss St. Clair? and when did you see her last?"
I told him of my recent visit.
"She is not married, then?"