ond came forward. He was barely known by sight to most of

tt's table, where there was a vacant place. It must be owned that the colonel's appearance was by no means rapturously hailed there. He was a notoriously bad player. Fate, however, allotted him as a partner to Mr. Warlock.

sionally addressed her young friend. In her eyes he was still a school-boy. And then she was four ye

y, shook hands with his tutor, and then standing opposite to Minnie, put his knuckles to his forehead,

mind, do you, Algernon?"

like the reverend Peter, in consequence of your ill-usage. Don't you perceive a ghastly hue upon my brow?

usic to-night, so will you get mamma to set the McDougalls d

and, home, and beauty-here goes!" And Algernon speedily had the two Miss McDougalls, and Mr. Pawkins, and Alethea Dockett engaged in a game of vingt

group with his hand over h

asked Minnie, watching Mr.

ingt

cour

er

want to talk to you. You come so sel

in the street, and she asked me

"It is a pity mamma should have te

hear them. "I am not fit to go to evening parties," he continu

your company

compared to an owl the other evening by a la

ady! Wh

not see it. She was leaning her elbow on a cushion, and had her face turned towards Mr. Diamo

gton," answered the tuto

has this aquiline quality; I believe she cou

me to tell you--"

e Methodist preacher. That caric

s a vulgar concep

lgar? I am glad of tha

eadow. The other times were in the crowded, close Wesleyan chapel, into which he had penetrated at

g to the descriptions I have heard. And, then, this fellow is so handsome-wild and oriental-loo

arted lips, to all that Diamond

," she said, at length.

an is an enthusiast, you k

Give me some idea of th

t n

w. This

nnot enter into

to his steel-grey ones, and

ver?" she a

. I don'

velty, Mr. Diamond's blunt disregard of her requests (in that house Minnie's requests have the weight of command

ays, "that Algernon Errington shou

t pity-

of Bristol is not to be con

rmly closed lips

so long-ever since he came here as a small child in a frock. And papa knew his father, Dr. Errington. He was a very clever man, a brilliant talker, and greatly sought a

istaken in fancying so. I think Errington one of

on't think so wel

expected! And pardon me, Mis

and with a bright, mischievous glance. "Forgive my interrupting you; but when I

" says Diamond, looking down o

nd, Mrs. Errington. Papa nearly quarrelled with that lady on the subject of Algy's going away. But, you know, it is not all Mrs. Errington's fault. Algy choos

great mis

e spo

ild. Otherwise he might not have been so pampered

ut then there is an excuse,

ou cannot suppose that

now. My father and mother have spoiled me. Poor father and mother! I am but a mise

refrain from a tender glance and a soft tone, in answer to Minnie's pathetic little plaint. Her beauty and

r freight of affection in such a venture as the hope that

fted in a compassionate curve. Minnie had never seen his face with that look on it, and the change in it gave her a curious pang, half of pain, half of pleasure. Strong conflicting feelings battled in her. She was strung to a high pitch of excitement; and her eyes brightened, and her pulse beat quicker-all for a look, a smile, a beam of the eye from this staid, quiet schoolmaster! What do we know o

o indemnify themselves for the silence which Doctor Bodkin insists upon during the classic game. Mrs. Bodkin bustles up to her daughter; hopes she is not tired; thinks she looks a little fagged; wonders

s pleasure would have been spoiled by guessing that it had been guessed. For the rest, this small anxious-faced woman cares but little. She would tear your feelings to mi

not been quenched by a superior luminary, and are quite radiant and cheerful. Dr. Bodkin, too, is contented in his lofty manner; for there has been no music, and he has enjoyed his rubber in peace. Colonel Whistler has lost, but the stakes are always modest at Dr. Bodkin's table, and he doesn't mind it. Over the feelings of the Rev. Peter

ie's sofa, and suddenly stops sho

ws. "Good evening, madam," he says, unable to repress a

ttle expected to see you this evening. Dear Min

r confidentially-"Now, I hope, Minnie, you won't owe me a grudge for it; but I must confess t

cant ceremony, and flashes an impatient glance at

h Algy is always crying up his talents. But it really is kind to bring him forward a little. I asked him to tea the other night. You see he mu

s not forget them either; for after the negus has been drunk, and the sandwiches eaten

ry likely. None the wors

returns Minnie, w

ays he

Erri

woman, but the Ancrams are all liars; every one of them! Greatest

iamond should have confided the circumstance to

w a man less likely to con

a thing which all the world

tion. He gave a great loud yawn, and decl

'm sleepy because you yaw

e it in your face. Go to bed. Mrs

is daughter, and

e whispered, drawing his head

ay it? God bless

ody saw them. She talked to the maid who undressed her about Mr. Powell, the Methodist pr

good to be got there, miss. For my brother Richard, him that lives groom at Pudcombe Hall-he went and got-got 'conversion,' I think they call it, at Mr. Powell's

How I en