defensive, parrying any leading questions by her impracticable answers. She said 'Yes' to the inquiry whether she was acquainted with the new comers; and, 'So I understand,' when Miss Newby believed Lord John Oakleigh to be the son of the Marquis of Calton. Baffled and fatigued by half an hour's intercourse of like character, the two ladies exchanged glances, and were on the point of taking leave, when Ellen's entrance was hailed as a diversion from which something might be gained.

'I hope you have had a pleasant ride,' said Miss Newby.

'I had no idea,' added Miss Smallwood,' that Miss Ellen was such a rider.'

'I am not such a rider,' said Ellen, lightly; 'but I can ride a quiet pony, and I like it very much.'

Anne inquired where they had been; and when Ellen mentioned the Mere Downs, Phil added, with a demure smile, And round by the Oaks.'

The audible rustling of Miss Newby's silk mantle betrayed her interest in this communication; and while Anne looked grave, Ellen said quickly, and with heightened colour, 'O yes; we came home that way, to ask if Mrs. Oliphant had understood about the carriage.'

Anne said no more until the visitors had taken leave, after a vain attempt to obtain an opinion as to the propriety of leaving cards on Mrs. Oliphant; and then, as Phil made his exit by the window at the same moment, she said, with some dignity, 'That visit to the Oaks might have been

spared, Ellen. That a young girl should put herself forward in order to attract attention, is indeed objectionable; and if Miss Smallwood spreads idle gossip through Dornton, you have no one to thank for it but yourself.'

The rebuke was received in silence, and with many hidden tears; and Ellen did not incur another for undue forwardness that evening. Passive and depressed, she submitted as before to be the object of Lord John's exclusive attentions: he read her extracts from his home letters, full of cordial messages to herself; he gave her his gloves to mend, and finally challenged the two boys to play at chess against himself and Ellen, a game which was prolonged throughout the evening. Hugh, meanwhile, talked to his mother and Norah, when not called on to reply to the spasmodic topics which Kate jerked out at intervals; and if not well-pleased with his position, he certainly exerted himself to conceal his dissatisfaction. He never once approached Ellen, nor addressed her, except to include her in the general good-night. And she, poor child, proved the mockery of such a wish, by watching through the hours of darkness amid tears and restless tossings of mind and body, upbraiding her own weakness, and endeavouring to restore the failing hope, that he whose love had seemed at once so strong and tender, was not now to turn away, and break the heart which ached and throbbed for the faintest token of affection.

Days passed on with no more satisfactory result.

Ellen felt, and in vain strove against, an

increasing constraint in her intercourse with Mrs. Oliphant; and after one or two attempts to bring them together, Hugh stood aloof, with an air of haughty unconcern. Only once or twice, when Lord John was not by Ellen's side, he approached, and spoke to her with something of his old manner; and as her sad eyes lighted up with hope and grateful pleasure, his confidence appeared to be restored. But these moments were as rare as they were precious; and, for the most part, he maintained a chilling reserve, which justified the sisters in wondering for what purpose he came so often, when he had nothing to say; and even Norah admitted that if he did not soon descend from his altitudes, she must cease to consider him an acquisition to society. Ellen suffered in silence; and Norah, an unfailing authority in such matters, assured Anne that she had never seen her so quietly happy.

CHAPTER XXV.

In des Menschen Brust
Liegt der Welten Völle,
Liegt des Himmels Lust

Und die Qual der Hölle.
Die Selbstsucht ist die Qual,
Der Abgrund ist das Ich:
Die Liebe ist der Strahl,
Versöhnend Gott und dich.

RÜCKERT.

ONE morning, when Captain and Mrs. Aymer

came out from Brighton to spend a long day at the Oaks, Lord John invited himself to breakfast at Rose Cottage, so as to avoid the family meeting; and he made the meal so agreeable, that Anne lingered until she was summoned to attend to some household matter. Her departure was the signal for a general dispersion; but Ellen, who was dispensing crumbs to her robins from the open window, did not observe that Norah, as well as her sisters, had left the room, until she turned round to find herself alone with Lord John. A little disconcerted, and determined not to betray her confusion, Ellen busied herself in collecting the contents of Norah's work-box, which were left scattered on the table.

That pretty étui-case,' said Lord John, 'reminds me that I have always meant to consult

you about my present to Harriet. The weddingday is fixed, and I have done nothing about it.'

'I don't know your sister's tastes well enough to decide,' replied Ellen; 'Cecil would be a better judge, or' she hesitated a moment

Mortimer.'

-'or Miss

Lord John looked half-surprised, half-indignant, at the latter suggestion: 'Mary is the last person I should think of consulting in the matter,' he answered; 'she would probably recommend Fordyce's Advice to Young Women, or, The Whole Duty of Man.'

'You have no right to speak of Mary in that way,' said Ellen, quickly.

'Did I say anything disrespectful? I merely implied that she was a pattern of perfection.'

'But she is not a pattern of perfection in the sense you mean. You think her cold and hard, because she does what she thinks right, and -'

And what, Miss Kerr?' said Lord John, very eagerly.

But Ellen drew back, ashamed of having said so much.

'I shall not say any more. If you, who have known Mary so long and so intimately, cannot understand her motives, I cannot enlighten you.'

Still Lord John would have pressed for a fuller explanation, when the door opened to admit Phil's small person; and he said, with an air of mock contrition:

'I hope I don't intrude.'

'Not at all,' said Lord John; we were only talking of wedding presents.'