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 and Gordon continued, as he remained silent. "I shall have a right to consider your saying nothing a proof of an unfavourable judgement. You don't like her!"

Bernard faced quickly about again, and for an instant the two men looked at each other.

"Ah, my dear Gordon," Longueville murmured.

"Do you like her, then?" asked Gordon, getting up.

"No!" said Bernard.

"That's just what I wanted to know, and I am much obliged to you for telling me."

"I am not much obliged to you for asking me. I was in hopes you wouldn't."

"You dislike her very much, then?" Gordon exclaimed gravely.

"Won't disliking her, simply, do?" said Bernard.

"It will do very well. But it will do a little better if you will tell me why. Give me a reason or two."

"Well," said Bernard, "I tried to make love to her, and she boxed my ears."

"The devil!" cried Gordon.

"I mean morally, you know."

Gordon stared; he seemed a little puzzled.

"You tried to make love to her morally?"

"She boxed my ears morally," said Bernard, laughing out.

"Why did you try to make love to her?"

This inquiry was made in a tone so expressive of an unbiassed truth-seeking habit that Bernard's mirth was not immediately quenched. Nevertheless, he replied with sufficient gravity—

"To testify her fidelity to you. Could you have expected anything else? You told me you were afraid she was a latent coquette. You gave me a chance, and I tried to ascertain." 106