d, but in so trying she had encountered many obstacles. In the first place, Rhoda, with all her gentleness, was not

nimal out of its hole, trying to get any

t, that the unreasonableness of trusting in his promises, or taking his boyish love-making in serious earnest, would be safely set forth by Miss Bodkin. Rhoda had not perceived any of the wise thi

pposition brought tears into her eyes as the words framed thems

efinite position. Even her father spoke well of Algernon now;-said how clever he was, and what grand acquaintance he was making, and how sure he would be to succeed. And once or twice her father had dropped a word which had set R

to slighter natures. Of course, on the side of worldly wisdom there was much to be said against Rhoda's fancying herself engaged to Algernon Errington. There was much to be said; and yet Minnie did not feel quite sure that the idea was so preposterous as Powell had appeared to think it. True, Mrs. Errington was vain, and world

self particularly with her pedigree," thought Minnie. "And even if any one did, that difficulty would not be insuperable, for I have no knowledge of Mrs. Errington, if wi

o make Algernon happy, and to be happy as his wife. "Algy is not base, or cruel, or vicious," she said to herself. "He has merely the faults of a spoiled child. A woman with more earnestness than Rhoda has would weary him; and a wiser woman might, in the long run, be wearied by him. She is pretty, and sufficiently int

mond was in love with her. Nay, had she been cognisant of the fact, she would, Minnie felt sure, have shrank away from the grave, clever gentleman who, as it was, could win not

o beam upon her, which were wasted on Rhoda's pretty, shy, downcast face! How happy it would have made her to hear those clear, incisive tones lowered into soft indistinctness for her ears, as they so often were for Rhoda'

owards the west. They were listening to the cuckoo, and smelling the sweet breath of the hyacinths, and gazing at the rosy sky, and dropping now and then a soft word, which seemed to enhance the sweetness and the silence of the room. The five persons were Minnie Bodkin, Rhoda Maxfield, Matthew Diamond, Mr

hand, and her lustrous eyes had a far-away look in them, as they gazed out towards Pudcombe Woods, where the cuckoo was calling hi

hat the eyes of Mr. Diamond-who was seated close to Minnie's chair-were fixed upon her, and that in some vague way he was attr

startle any ear. Mr. Warlock, habituated to suppress his feelings and adapt his words to those of his company,

ad some hyacinths in pots, too, I remember, w

merely due to the fact that her thoughts w

?" said Diamond, softly, speaking almost in her

it makes me sad. I like it bec

m to me to be combined this evening int

e Woods, and my hyacinths are of a very good sort. It seems t

arder in her manner than she used to be." Then the reflection crossed his mind that her health had been more frail and uncertain than usual of late, and that she bore much physical suffering with high courage; and the littl

y, cert

tions that shou

you not to a

eeting the soft light of Minnie's lovely, pathetic eyes, which fell immediatel

ur wish. I thought y

ou were hardly so cordial, so frank in your kindness to me as you once were. It would matter nothing to me in another person, but in you, a little shade of manner matters a g

ever knew, and require to be very obviously implored

rippling laugh, which she ended with a fo

is true that I dread, almost more than

ng the question to which you have so long

y frequent presence here were, for any reason, irksome to you? It might well be so. And if you would say so candidly, believe me, I should feel not the smallest resentment. Sorrow I should feel. I can't deny it; but I should not ceas

he did not see the tears that quivered in her eyes. After a second or two, during which she had passed her handk

believe that there is n

thi

offended you

N

u? I daresay I am awkwar

have nothing in the w

ak sincerely. Your friends

tant, and would have raised to his lips, but that she drew it suddenly away, murmuri

l touch, and placed them so that her posture in the lounging-chair might

"I never had a sister. But I have often thought how sweet the companionship of a sister must be. I

almost in a whisper. "I should l

e other side of the Whit, like the halo round the head of a saint. The twilight deepened, Rhoda's fingers ceased to ply the needle, but she remained at the window looking ov

and then paused for a moment as if awaiting a reply. Minnie did not speak. Presentl

likes Rhoda," sai

fined woman to overcome her shyness. I never saw so timid a creature. Has it not struck you a

reat natural

udicrous side of Methodism has not touched her at all. It is m

ethodism has ever take

xposed to the influence of David Powell. And, although

was stronger, and she raised her head from the cushion. "In his presence the Scripture phrase, 'A burning

ell has undoubtedly very genuine enthusiasm and fervour.

elf, for undisciplined and ungrateful minds, with w

ing influences of the twilight, and the unaccustomed charm of pouring out the fulne

in vain. But don't you believe that a strong and genuine love is almost s

ps-pro

not think he

n I ans

he begged for the interview with you. I have never asked any questions about that interview, but I have g

es

rious. He was little more tha

ned nineteen when

s hand on the arm of the chair, and fixi

truth! Do you think

an-name; and she marked the fact with a chilly feeling at the hea

"Thank you for answering with sincerity. But I knew you would do no otherwise. This feeling for Algernon

ng end

te man, and do not much regard external obstacles. The only

was a

nk she migh

e only esse

would be for her happiness to care for me,

your happ

I am not doub

one or two faces, leaving the others in shadow. Amongst the faces so illuminated was Minnie Bodkin's. "Did you ever see an

dential conversation with the doctor's daughter. "She is always bea

a pensive expression to the eyes; always!" And Miss Chub

ow and musical in quality, was too loud and out of harmony with th

loft there sufficient, Mrs

ed in Whitford society. "I can hardly make out who's who. Oh, there's Miss Chubb and Mr. Warlock, and-oh, is that you, Rhoda? Well, Minnie, I left your mamma giving