ovèd voice th

sweetness, fa

ainst which yo

like a strong

t help? what m

nce to yo

rett Br

even now, waiting to receive her guests. The Rector was a very wealthy man, and all those luxuries surrounded Hilda which are the portion of those who are gently nurtured and well-born. Her maid had left the roo

n pretty face as if she saw it not. Her brown eyes looked through the mirrored eyes in

white rose. He may think what he pleases.

looked in a half-frightened way across the room,

g the coils of her rich hair. Her dress was fastened at the thr

in the drawing room when our visitors come; and really, my love, what a simple dress-nothing but a washin

hat the Dean is coming to dine. Now don't fret, there'

unt Marjorie solemnly; "but after all, w

see the Dean steppin

parks almost immediately. Dinner was announce

Jasper Quentyns favored her with one quick glance; he was sitting at the far end of the table, and a very pretty girl was placed at his side. He saw the rose in Hilda's hair, and his heart

d, for he felt pretty sure that a certain question whic

white dresses were waiting to receive them. Babs trotted everywhere, and was universally admir

and be sociable,"

. I am so happy here,

are very, very fat," sounde

aimed a lady who sat near; "why, I sh

ke earwigs bett

rrors; oh, you quaint

aint little soul. She trotted acros

n a whisper. "I wish I had my Kitty Tiddliwink

ou to go to bed,

s talk as if I were a baby, and I aren't. Judy, you mi

rupt. If you won't go to bed you must stay quiet. You know if Aunt Marjorie sees you she'll send y

e four voices did ample justice to the beautiful glee-"Men were deceivers ever." The well-known

e, ladies, s

deceive

sea and on

ing const

sigh

t them

do," said Judy, turning round an

," said Babs; "you

till-what can Miss Mills be thinking of? Now, little girls, it is nine o'c

d-night to Hilda?

udy, if you question me I shall have to

illingly. Babs was sleepy, and was very glad to lay her little hea

f the music and the light conversation and the gay laughter as they lay in their cots. The so

er feelings this morning. Her schoolroom was far away. Judy knew that she was safe. If she got out of bed, no one would hear her. In her little white night-dress she stole across the moonlit floor and crept up to the window. She softly unfas

by side, keeping close to one another. Their movements were very slow, they were talking almost in whispers. Hilda's head on

r.' I know what he is. Oh, what shall I do? what shall I do? Oh, Hilda, oh, Hilda, darling, you shan't go

beech tree. Judy felt that she could almost hear their words. From where she leant out of the window she could certainly see their actions. Quentyns stooped sudde

ht Judy's breath-she felt as if she should choke. She dared not look any more, but d

oward the open window, and the companion who talked to her could not help observing that she scarcely replied to his remarks, and was not fully alive to his witticisms; but the rest of the

nto words. "Hilda," said Quentyns, and all the poetry of the lovely summer evening seemed to have got into his eyes and filled his voice, "I give you all, remember, all that a

Hilda, "for I also live for you. I

n," said Quentyns. "When I

a la

he came close again. "The fault you will have to find with me is this, Jasper," she said, looking fully at him with her

uch fuss about that child? She is suc

I feel as if I were in a certain sense Judy's mother. When mother died she left Judy to me. Little darling! N

know that, Hilda. But don't let us ta

unt Marjorie, from the drawing room. "And, Hilda, o