"I obeyed. It would not have suited me to retain that attitude long. I courted serenity and confidence for her, and not vainly. She trusted and clung to me again.
"'Now, Shirley,' I said, 'you can conceive I am far from happy in my present uncertain, unsettled state.'
"'Oh yes, you _are_ happy!' she cried hastily. 'You don't know how happy you are. Any change will be for the worse.'

"I obeyed, and put on serenity and confidence for her. She clung to me again.
"'Now, Shirley,' I said, 'you can conceive I am far from happy in my present uncertain state.'
"'You are happy!' she cried hastily. 'You don't know how happy you are. Any change will be for the worse. 