358 THE HOME OF A NATURALIST. 



the old, until that happened which, I suppose, you 

 have expected would happen. 



Mr. Nemo took Miss Insrath for a walk one evening 

 as far as the furthest cliffs which girdled Orgert. No 

 young lover could have chosen a more romantic time 

 or place for the avowal of love, and in so doing Mr. 

 Nemo showed his wisdom ; for every woman (particu- 

 larly if elderly) desires a certain halo of romance 

 to surround a proposal. 



Miss Ingath was youthful and romantic (notwith- 

 standing her thirty-five years) in matters pertaining to 

 love, because her experience in such affairs was of the 

 least. Age is not measured by years but by experience; 

 therefore, love coming to Ingath Halcro late in life 

 found her young in feeling, and unversed in its lore. 

 More than that. Love took her very much by surprise. 



In manly, straightforward words the hermit asked 

 her to remain at Orgert all her days, its mistress and 

 his dear wife. He said he had no fine old name to 

 offer her, but he had what she ought to value more, 

 an honest man's heart to give. He said he did not 

 expect that she could love him with the warmth of a 

 first and youthful attachment, but he would be content 

 with a measure of affection, and would do his best to 

 make her happy. 



Then Miss Ingath looked faintly up, and murmured, 

 " I wish you had come when I was younger." 



" So do I," he answered, " but since I was fool 

 enough not to find you sooner, you must let me love 

 you twice as much now to make up for lost time." 



