8

satisfied with the "pure love of Mary." I
must have given you some assurance of
it at the time, or you were in a more conten-
ted frame of mind. Now, by what shortcoming
or coldness of mine has a "change come o'er
the spirit of your dream"? You certainly know
me, when you have said , mine is the
happiness of the heart. Then how could I so
deceive myself as to think of happiness
elsewhere? If I do indulge my fancy some-
times in building air castles, and decking
them with all that wealth can afford,
you know I only do it for amusement, and
to teaze you. I like variety in all things Mack,
even in love affairs. Jesting aside, I had
rather possess the love of such a noble heart
(doubting as it is) than the wealth of any
man in North or South Carolina. You say
I avoid even a confession of my love. I
thought I had too, as any decent woman
does directly. Although you wish the good old
days would return when lady loves were