as; indeed, it would have been difficult for him to have said which he found the pleasantest

her fair hand through the mysteries of the English alphabet a by no means uncongenial occupation. When he came away his admiration of Hilda's blue eyes was more pronou

might be to his pride, it was in some ways a thorny discovery, since he dared not visibly pay his attentions to either. For his part he returned Hilda von Holtzhausen's devotion to a degree that surprised himself; his passion for her burnt him like a fire, utterly searing away the traces of his former affection for Maria Lee. Under these circumstances, most young men of twenty-one would ha

n, who, if she reigned at all, would reign like Alexander, unrivalled and alone. That she was well aware of her friend's tendresse for Philip the latter very shortly guessed; indeed

found himself, as he did pretty frequently, in the shady drawing-room at Miss Lee's. As he entered, the sound of voices told him that there were other visitors beside himse

ose did not look so hooked, nor the thick lips so coarse and sensual. The hair, however, was as red as ever, and as for the small, light-blue eyes, they twinkled with the added

ria and Hilda, giving to each a gentle pressur

how is my uncle? Bellamy saw him this morn

e-faced little man, with a timid manner, who stood in the background nervously rubbing his dry

ighty-two is a good age, is it

the next heir," and Mr. Bellamy chuckled softly s

Bellamy? she has only been down here a fortnight, you know. What, no! Then you have a pleasure to come" (raising his

me presently, Mr. Bellamy. I only r

sted and was about to speak

n we were up in town together last Christmas. I was dreadfully hard hit myself, I can assure you, and a

vain about, Mr. Caresfoot?" sa

te startled me," said little Mr. Bellamy, put

nce, should always be at her husband's sho

her question to George, and the two fell into a bantering conversation. Philip, having dropped back a little, had an opp

rely on the shoulders, the hair was cut short, and clustered in ringlets over the low, broad brow; whilst the clearly carved Egyptian features and square chin gave the whole face a curious expressi

me did he succeed in deciding the question. Whilst he was still contemplating, and wondering how Bellamy of all people in the world had managed to marry su

uce you to the most charming lady

whilst the lady curtsied with a mixture of gra

you, Mr. Caresfoot, but he never told m

you, Mrs. Bellamy? Not

ho

ing frankness which is sometimes so charming in a woman's mouth, "he neve

y, what my cousin George never told me; but I

a husband. But if I keep you here much longer, I shall be drawing the enmity of Miss Lee, and-yes, of Fraulein von Holtzhausen, too, on to my devoted head, and, as that is the

ing absently to Mr. Bellamy, and glancing continually in the direction of that gentleman's wife. The latter, too, whilst appearing

band, of course?-for as you know, when a woman is talking of men, her husband is always excepted. Come, we must be going; but, Mr. Caresfoot, bend a l

mean-how do

or just as much as you

Come, let us jo

she felt hot, threw open the French window and went out into th

hilip was out of earshot. "Her tout ensemble positively kills one. I feel plain and dowdy as

t of course she is lovely and I'm plain, so the

ut 'poorly satisfy the sight' of a man when she was present. I know that I should not care to trust

't know; what

erves them for a standard of morality and a test of right and wrong. Men are different from women. If a man is faithful to

dful ideas

in the room the eyes of the three gentlemen were all fixed upon her, and as soon as she leaves it one of them follows her, as the others would have done had they

ed, to speak the truth, I thought th

ay you are right, it is only one of my theories based upon my own casual observations, and, after all, men

of anything else, so she collapsed into silence, and shor

been walking leisurely down the

she asked in German, a la

. Why do you spea

ver asked you to walk with me. You are wanted

hat is, not until you hav

da, if you please.

t is it you want

his evening at nine o'cl

re forgetting a little what is due

mean by due

ou have encouraged her in her affection; you nee

to-night, I will explain everything; t

sing her head, and stamping h

ealous, and I will not meet you; I have too much respec

ng after her, was not pleasant t

ealous for, the proud minx;" and in his vexation he

stralian carnations; at least, I think they are

ing one for you. Won't you put it i

is so hot out there; and tell m

ery handsome and very

picked

do you know just now I thought that she was insinuating that you were in love with Hilda; that's not true, is it, Philip? Don't think me forward if I ask you if that is true, and if I say that, if it is, it is better tha

er love, to enlist her sympathy and friendship. It will be wrong to encourage her affection; when you ardently love another woman, you cannot palter any more." "Now," whispered opportunity, shouldering conscience aside, "is the time to secure he

s choice long before the rich blood that mantled in the lady'

ion or healing on thy wings, how the angels, in whose charge lie the souls of men, must tremble and turn pale, as they mark thy flight throu

he hand that was pr

Why, dear, I have always looked upon myself as half engaged to you-that is, so far as I am concerned; and I

, but only blushed the more;

ry happy, Philip." T

ur affection: I am going to ask you to trust me as well as to love me. I do not, for reasons that I will not enter into, but which I beg you to believe are p

nd for years I have loved you with all my hea

ave him a note; it was

t you in the summer-house this even

stled as h

going to marry Maria, she must leave this. But I c