One day a friend said to him--"Paul, have you heard the news?"

"What is it?"

Sefton has offered himself to Miss P----."

"It a'n't possible! Why, I was just going to do it myself! Has she
accepted him?"

"So it is said."

"I don't believe it."

"I don't know how you will ascertain, certainly, unless you ask the
lady herself," replied the friend.

"I will find out within an hour, if I have to do what you suggest.
Sefton offered himself! I declare, I didn't dream that any
particular intimacy existed between them. My own mind has been made
up these two or three months--in fact, long before Sefton knew her;
but I have kept procrastinating the offer of marriage I determined
to make, week after week, like a fool as I am, until I have allowed
another to step in and carry off the prize, if what you say be true.
But I can't believe it. I am sure Miss P----wouldn't accept any man
on so short an acquaintance."

"Sefton is a bold fellow, and prompt in all his movements," returned
the friend. "I rather think you will find the report true. I know
that he has been paying her the closest attentions."