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 will exchange your name for mine—I mean!"

"It sounds like a proposal of marriage," she said, composedly. In spite of her self-possessed gravity, she enjoyed his confusion.

"I—I have no desire to retract it," he stammered, wishing his cheeks were not so red. But she shook her head.

"It would be cruel to hold you to it," she answered, kindly. "Pray continue; you were saying?"

"I meant to say that I would tell you the name I have given you if you would tell me your real one."

"I haven't sufficient curiosity," she replied, coldly.

"Very well, then." Miles went back to the paper. "Patience?"

He looked up. Her eyes met his unflinchingly.