"He never would take his wife to live upon his relatives, he had too

much pride for that, and the marriage must be deferred. A few months

would make no difference. Christmas was not far from June, and by

that time he could do something for himself."

Thus he wrote to James, who mused long upon the words, "A few months

will make no difference," thinking within himself, "If I were like

other men, and was about to marry Maude, a few months would make a

good deal of difference, but everyone to their mind." Four weeks

after this he went one day to Canandaigua on business, and having an

hour's leisure ere the arrival of the train which would take him

home he sauntered into the public parlor of the hotel. Near the

window, at the farther extremity of the room, a young girl was

looking out upon the passers-by. Something in her form and dress

attracted his attention, and he was approaching the spot where she

stood when the sound of his footsteps caught her ear, and turning

round she disclosed to view the features of Maude Remington.

"Maude!" he exclaimed, "this is indeed a surprise. I must even claim

a cousin's right to kiss you," and taking both her hands in his, he

kissed her blushing cheek--coyly--timidly--for James De Vere was

unused to such things, and not quite certain, whether under the

circumstances it were perfectly proper for him to do so or not.

Leading her to the sofa, he soon learned that she had come to the

village to trade, and having finished her shopping was waiting for

her stepfather, who had accompanied her.

"And what of J.C.?" he asked, after a moment's silence. "Has he been

to visit you more than once since the crisis, as he calls it?"

Maude's eyes filled with tears, for J.C.'s conduct was not wholly

satisfactory to her. She remembered his loud protestations of utter

disregard for her money, and she could not help thinking how little

his theory and practice accorded. He had not been to see her since

his flying visit in March, and though he had written several times

his letters had contained little else save complaints against their

"confounded luck." She could not tell this to James De Vere, and she

replied, "He is very busy now, I believe, in trying to make some

business arrangement with the lawyer in whose office he formerly

studied."

"I am glad he has roused himself at last," answered James; "he would

not accept my offer, for which I am sorry, as I was anticipating

much happiness in having my Cousin Maude at Hampton during the

summer. You will remain at home, I suppose."




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