Page:An Unfinished Song.djvu/149

144, "let us discuss the matter another time. I have my own reasons for asking you."

The subject was dropped accordingly, to my great relief.

The night that followed was one of exquisite moonlight, sky and earth alike were illumined by a silver glow. We repaired to the terrace after dinner.

My sister addressed the doctor, saying, "According to your account everything in England is superb; but had you ever there a moon like this?"

"Moonlight was rare indeed. Perhaps it was owing to this fact that it used to look so glorious when it did appear."

"You are hopelessly bewitched, I see," rejoined my sister. "Not only does England hold the most beautiful women, but the most perfect moon as well. How could you ever in the face of all these fascinations come back again? Really that puzzles me."

He caressed his handsome beard and smiled.

"Truth is sometimes stranger than fiction. When the chances are good, there is almost always disappointment, and where one