Page:The time spirit; a romantic tale (IA timespiritromant00snaiiala).pdf/31

 something titanic in the slow mustering of his forces to break an arid pause.

"I am not offended, Mr. Maclean." The tone of Miss Sanderson said she was offended a little. "But I do think"

"What do ye think, Miss Sanderrson?" The naïveté of the young man provoked a sharp intake of breath.

"I think, Mr. Maclean"—the candor of Miss Sanderson was deliberate but not unkind—"if I were you, before I offered to marry anybody, I should try seriously to better myself."

The words, pregnant and uncompromising, were masked by a tone so deep and calm that a first-rate intellect was able to treat them on their merits. In spite of a flirtation with the Muses, this young man was a remarkable combination of wild audacity and extreme shrewdness. He had a power of mind which enabled him to distinguish the false from the true. Thus he saw at once, without resentment or pique, that the advice of Heroica was that of a friend.

She had a strong desire to box the ears of this rawboned young policeman for his impertinence; but at heart this was a real woman, and the dynamic forces of her sex were strong in her. It was hard to keep from laughing in the face of this young man in a hurry, who rushed his fences in a way that was simply grotesque; yet she could not help admiring the power within him, and she wished him well.

"It's gude advice, Miss Sanderrson." His tone of detachment drew a ripple from lips that laughed very seldom. "I'm thinkin' I'll tak' it. But ye'll bear the matter in mind?"