Bella’s countenance fell in the midst of her mirth. “After all, perhaps I had better put off number four, Pa. Let me try once more, if for never so short a time, to hope that it may not really be so.”

The change in her, strengthened the cherub’s interest in number four, and he said quietly: “May not be so, my dear? May not be how, my dear?”

Bella looked at him pensively, and shook her head.

“And yet I know right well it is so, Pa. I know it only too well.”

“My love,” returned her father, “you make me quite uncomfortable. Have you said No to anybody else, my dear?”

“No, Pa.”

“Yes to anybody?” he suggested, lifting up his eyebrows.

“No, Pa.”