MY COUSIN. 229 
I saw I was no match for her in wit, so I be- 
took myself to other ground. 
" Well, good by, coz." 
"So early!" 
" Early ? " and I began to pull on my gloves. 
" You'll be here to-morrow night, won't you ? " 
said she, persuasively. 
" Do you really wish it? " 
" How can you doubt it ? " said she, warmly. 
"But how! I shall interrupt a tete-a-tete with 
Mr. Thornton," said I, teasingly. 
" Pshaw I Mr. Thornton again," said she, pet- 
tishly. ' 
There was a moment's silence, and at its end 
cajyie a low, half-suppressed sigh. I began to 
think I was on the right track. 
" You won't grant my favor ? If, now, it was 
to mend Mr. Thornton's glove " 
" It's too provoking," she burst out in her old 
mood ; but directly added, in a pensive tone, " How 
can you think I care so for him ? " 
" How can I ? You do fifty things for him you 
wouldn't do for me." 
" Cousin ! " 
" I ask you for the smallest favor ; I take one 
for a sample, and you refuse : you are a very un- 
fair cousin ; " and I took her hand. 
"Why?" said she, lifting her dark eye till its 
gaze met mine. It thrilled me in every nerve. 
"Why?" and her voice shook a little. 
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