just in my way. If I see him, I can drop in upon Mrs. Ellison after
tea."

On his way home, Paul fell in with a friend whose conversation was
very agreeable. He did not forget Lucy, but he thought a visit to
Mr. C----would accomplish just as much after supper as before. So
the call was deferred without a twinge of conscience.

The first words of Mrs. Burgess, on her husband's entrance, were,
"Well, dear, what did Mr. C----say?"

"I haven't been able to see him yet, but I am going round after
supper," Paul replied, quickly.

"Indeed! I am sorry. Did you call?"

"No; it occurred to me that C----dined at three o'clock, so I put it
off until four."

"And didn't go then?"

"No; I was going to"--

"Yes, that is just like you, Paul!" spoke up his wife with some
spirit, for she felt really provoked with her husband; "you are
always _going to do_!"

"There, there," returned Paul, "don't say a word more. A few hours,
one way or the other, can make no great difference. I will go round
after tea and have the matter settled. I shall be much more likely