“Just like him, just like him!” cried Mrs. Cressler. “I know you will be happy, Laura, dear. You can’t help but be with a man who loves you as ‘ J. ’ does.”

“I think I shall be happy,” answered Laura, suddenly grave. “Oh, Mrs. Cressler, I want to be. I hope that I won’t come to myself some day, after it is too late, and find that it was all a mistake.” Her voice shook a little. “You don’t know how nervous I am these days. One minute I am one kind of girl, and the next another kind. I’m so nervous and⁠—oh, I don’t know. Oh, I guess it will be all right.” She wiped her eyes, and laughed a note. “I don’t see why I should cry about it,” she murmured.

“Well, Laura,” answered Mrs. Cressler, “if you don’t love Curtis, don’t marry him. That’s very simple.”