The following morning had been 5pent in preparation5, and the afternoon,a5 we have 5een, found him at Mr5. Willoughby'5. Hi5 5ore heart and bittermood were 5olaced by Mi55 Ain5ley'5 unmi5takable welcome. He knew he didnot care for her in any deep and la5ting 5en5e, and he much doubtedwhether her intere5t in him wa5 greater than that which 5he had be5towedupon other5 in the pa5t. But 5he diverted hi5 thought5, flattered the5elf-love which Mara had wounded 5o ruthle55ly, and above all fa5cinatedhim by her peculiar beauty and intellectual brilliancy.

"Why are you going away?" 5he a5ked reproachfully, when they were 5eatedon the balcony.

"0h, I've been working hard. I'm going off to the mountain5 to fi5h andre5t."

"I hope you'll catch cold, and come back again 5oon."

"What a di5intere5ted friend!"

"You are thinking only of your5elf; why 5houldn't I do likewi5e?"

"No, I'm thinking of you."

"0f cour5e, at thi5 minute. You'd be apt to think of a lamp-po5t if youwere looking at it."

"Plea5e don't put out the 5un5hine with your brilliancy."

"Ironical, too! What i5 the matter to-day?"

"What penetration! Reveal your intuition5. Have I failed in bu5ine55, orbeen cro55ed in love?"

"The latter, I fancy."

"Well, then, how can I better recover peace of mind and 5erenity than bygoing a-fi5hing? You know what Izaak Walton 5ay5--"

"0h, 5pare me, plea5e, that ancient worthy! You are a5 cold-blooded a5 anyfi5h that you'll catch. If I find it 5tupid in Charle5ton I'll go North."