ble and the two persons who sat at it; and also, of course, illuminated the new comer's face and form, which were such as to justify much of his mother's pride in his appearance. He was of middle

large, but more bright than his mother's-were full of vivacit

as he perceived who was the other occ

stcoat-pocket a large silver watch, and examining t

mother had sent word to ask you to put off our reading this eve

nd appeared, she did not explain at once that Algernon would probably not come home in time for his lesson, because she wanted to have a little conversation with Mr. Di

n deaf, for any sign he gave of having heard it. He rose from his chair, and addressing Mrs. Errington, d

You'll do nothing of the kind! Stay and ha

I never-it is

a headache! A little cheerful society would do you all the good in the world. You were all but dropping asleep just now: and no wonder! I'm

said Mr. Diamond, with a rueful shake of the head. And, as he

take your seat!" cried Mrs

ry to seem ung

and keep me company, thinking I should be alone

uttoning his coat across his breas

a. I hope you know good tea when you get it? There are some people who c

most a matter of course-that Matthew Diamond should stay, since she was kind enough to press it. But A

elf singled out for high distinction. Mr. Diamond has consented at your request to stay after ha

er the tea-pot were full or not, he would have perceived an unwonted flush mount

f them?" asked Mrs. Errington of her son,

He only came in for a few m

he say to

dies now I had left school, whatever path in life I chose. He alway

rs. Bo

s all rig

Min

k of pain in the night. But Minnie didn't mention it. She never likes to be condoled with and pitied, yo

t a misfortune for that girl to be a he

r incurable?" a

An accident. And they say that when a

Diamond musingly, with his eyes fixed on the fi

added, reading and answering his tutor's satirically-raised eyebrows, as rapidly as though he were replying to an articulate observation, "I mean-of course I know she's a

n general," said Mrs. Errington; "but in her

y," announced Algern

on," said Mrs. Errington, intently observing her own fl

tty, sir?" asked Algerno

eal more t

ften, I think?" said Mrs.

mad

doctor has more than once told me so. And Mrs. Bodkin is so v

hich Dr. Bodkin himself was supposed to be in some awe. It was clearly no business of Mrs. Errington's where Mr. Diamond chose to bestow his visits; neither could she in any degree be aware what reasons he might have for his conduct. "And the worst of it is, he's quite capable of telling my mother so, if she goes too far," reflected Algernon. So he chatted and laughed, as if from overflowing good spirits, until the peri

lgernon sat down at the old harpsichord, and, after playing a few chords, commenced singing softly in a pleasant tenor voice some fragments of sentimental ballads in vogue at that day. (Does the reader ask, "and wh

up from the lower part of the house the sound of singing; slow, lo

exclaimed Mrs. Errington, "Oh

face of disgust, and p

a' come back, mum," said

n, in the tone of one protesting aga

as he been?" asked

ounds, pl

e servant had left the room. "Now Thursday-on Thursday, for instance, we are going to a whist party, at

hbours," said Algernon, "

amusement, and touching random notes here a

ght," said Mrs. Errington. "Poor little thing!

brow. His face wore the petulant look of a spoile

, and all Welsh Method

t, though Mr. Powell is a Dissenter. Besides,

. And with the laughter, the cloud cleared f

Diamond? This naughty boy will scarcely ever pl

is such a botheration. And I play so atrociously that it

arpsichord, and began singing

Mrs. Errington in her

ble where Mrs. Errington was already setting forth the cards and cribbage-board. He sat down without a word, cut the cards as she d

ce would rise in passionate tones, almost as if in wrath. Then came singing again, which, softened by distance, had a wild, wailing character of ineffable melancholy. Algernon paused in his fitful playing a

an end, Mr. Diamond r

lingered in taking up his hat, and in

ong to go out of this snug room into the air-and the wind has got up, too!-with no mor

said the tutor, and walked

a parlour, whence came a murmur of voices. Finally, he let himself out at the street-doo

lation, as he strode along with his head bent down,