forced laugh. Breakfast was scarcely over, when the maid came in with the message which was now matter of routine: Colonel Oliphant had sent to know at what hour the horses would be wanted.

They will not be wanted at all to-day,' said Anne.

Louis looked up in some amazement.

Why, Anne, have you taken to riding?

'No indeed.

It was a device of Norah's that Ellen should learn to ride when they were at Brighton together.'

And a very good device too, though you speak in a tone of indignant contempt. I should enjoy

a ride with you, Ellen.'

'Thank you,' said Ellen, passively; 'I do not care about it.'

I shall ride, however,' said Phil; but you may tell the groom, Sally, not to bring my horse here as I can walk over to the Oaks.'

'Your horse,' Anne repeated, with unconcealed displeasure; but she reflected that another week would see Phil on his way to school at Clapham, and she made no more decided protest. Phil accordingly went out riding; and he encountered Ellen on his return, as she ascended the stairs in languor and weariness, after spending the afternoon with Louis, who insisted that they should revisit their old haunts together. She looked up; and her wistful and beseeching glance met his eyes twinkling with mischievous amusement.

"You want the last news from the Oaks?' he said. 'I have been riding with the Colonel, who

was not a lively companion. He seems tired of his quarters, and talks of taking himself off.'

'Did he say when he was going?' said Ellen, forcing her pale lips to utter the words without faltering.

6

No; but I can ask him if you like. It is your own fault if you don't make use of me, Aunt Ellen.'

'I want no help from you, nor any other,' said Ellen, proudly, as she brushed by him. But could Phil have seen the change which passed over her face as soon as she was alone,-how she cowered down in self-abasement and despair, and strove in vain to check her stifling sobs,—he might not have gone on his way, piqued by her want of confidence, and more bent on mischiefmaking than before.

THE

HE next day was Sunday; and when they came out of church in the morning, Ellen saw Colonel Oliphant a few paces before them, not exactly waiting till they came up, yet evidently intending to be overtaken before reaching the door on which Mr. Smallwood's name engraved. For there the Kerrs were accustomed to spend the interval between services; and Hugh had, on other occasions, shared Miss Smallwood's hospitality.

was

'Louis,' said Ellen, making a desperate attempt to shake off her inseparable companion, 'perhaps you will go down to the post-office and ask for the letters, which are not delivered on Sunday.'

'If you will go with me,' said Louis; nor would he accept the excuse of fatigue. 'You are only tired with the heat of the church. I saw how pale you were when we came out, and the sh air is bringing back your colour.'

"You had better go with him,' said Anne, in a tone which Ellen dared not dispute.

Miss Smallwood walked briskly on to overtake Colonel Oliphant, and entreat him not to pass her door; he hesitated until he saw Ellen and her cousin turn down to the post-office, and then declining to come in, he walked off in the opposite direction. If he returned for the afternoon service, Ellen did not see him.

A letter from Cecil awaited her at the postoffice, long, and characteristically frank. After reproaching Ellen for her silence, she went on to say: My tongue is unloosed, however, by the few lines you wrote to Johnny, and which he judiciously forwarded. I must admit that these are a great relief, bearing out his assertion which I could scarcely believe, that you were more clearsighted than I, and understood all the while what he was about. I certainly thought his affections were elsewhere, and believed your demure unconsciousness to be only well acted; and even now I should be better satisfied to hear from yourself that you never took Johnny's flirtation for more than it was worth for he did flirt

most unscrupulously, and I hope Mary may make him sensible of the misdemeanour. How he ever came to fall in love with Mary, surprises me as much now as it did when first I heard it. They have had their explanation, and after many doubts and scruples, Mary is convinced that she may say, Yes; and the engagement is to be declared as soon as she is well enough to leave her room. You know she was always a favourite at Alban

Manor; so my aunt is well pleased, and so indeed are we all; only you must not think, dear Ellen, that you are less dear to me because I can no longer hope to call you sister. Johnny tried to persuade Papa that it would be pretty and poetical, that he and Harriet should be married on the same day; but that is out of the question, and I only hope that Mary may be well enough to make her last appearance as bridesmaid. I look forward so much to seeing you, and talking over all and sundry. a great gathering of course, and you and Colonel Oliphant are the only two who are not strictly family connexions. Tell me about Colonel Oliphant by the way, and if he has taken Mary's engagement at all to heart. I am amused now to think how indignant Johnny was when I suggested the possibility of an alliance between them.'

There is to be

Satisfied with Cecil's expressions of unchanged affection, Ellen left the letter with her sisters when they returned home from church, and went up stairs, feeling no desire to hear their comments. Anne read, and handed it to Kate, asking what she thought of it; and she looked perplexed, since she was unused to give her opinion on any subject more important than the colour of a ribbon, or the quality of calico.

It is a very nice letter,' she said, dubiously.

Of course,' rejoined Anne; 'most things are in your estimation. But I want to know whether it does not confirm my suspicion, that Ellen's belief in Colonel Oliphant's attachment is altoge