Oliphant was in one of his most silent moods yesterday,' observed Lord John.

'Pining, perhaps,' his sister observed, with another arch glance; but Lord John's reply was in no jesting tone.

'That is very silly talking, Harriet. You have no right to spread gossip, for which there is not the slightest foundation.'

'It is all among friends,' said Harriet; but I will not whisper my surmises, even to myself, if it vexes you, dear Johnny.'

And Lord John, quickly appeased, reverted to Lady Mary's Tuesdays.

'Oliphant might just as well have asked for the two nights, while he was about it,' he said.

'I don't see that it signifies,' said Cecil: there is no need to stand on ceremony with that impassive Lady Mary; and if she will be happy to see you next week, she cannot be miserable to-night. I am quite serious,' she added, as Ellen only laughed at the suggestion. If you are timid, I will take you under my wing.'

'And Mamma will introduce you to our best partners,' said Lady Harriet: which shall she have, Cecil?'

'I may claim the first dance,' said Lord John: 'I suppose you waltz, Miss Kerr.'

'Oh! no,' said Ellen, while all that Anne had ever said on the subject recurred to her mind: 'at least I only mean to dance quadrilles. But I really cannot go in this way, and I have no dress ready.'

'That is a difficulty,' said Lady Cecil.

6

Unless Miss Kerr wishes to surpass herself, she will be content to appear as I first saw her,' said Lord John.

Ellen coloured deeply, and was glad to cover her embarrassment by joining in the laugh excited by Phil's quotation of the hackneyed line'When unadorned, adorned the most.'

'Most acute Phil!' said Lady Cecil: 'I knew we should have you on our side.'

But seeing that Ellen was distressed by their importunity, she let the subject drop.

A

CHAPTER X.

Know you not

Such touches are but embassies of love,
To tamper with the feelings, ere he founds
Empire for life.

TENNYSON.

CHAPTER devoted to the correspondence between Anne and her sister-in-law, which it is necessary to insert, as affording some clue to the story.

'MY DEAR NORAH.

'Rose Cottage, Tuesday.

'I do not like to lose a post in replying to the note I received from you this morning, however it may interfere with my usual avocations to write in the forenoon. I have noticed, with growing uneasiness, certain vague hints, which give colour to the suspicion, that you are promoting the intimacy between Ellen and Lord John Oakleigh, with the view of transforming mere admiration into a deeper feeling.

'Even if such a result were possible, I should only deplore it; the portionless orphan of a lieutenant in the navy must be considered unworthy to be the bride of the cadet of a noble house; and even if Lord John could obtain the reluctant consent of his family, she would be received with

dislike and aversion, and necessarily estranged from her own family. And no worldly rank and riches can compensate, in my eyes, for the risk to which Ellen would be exposed when withdrawn from all salutary influence, and drawn into the vortex of fashion and dissipation, at an age when she ought never to have left the circle of home.

'I regret more than ever my weakness in consenting that she should accompany you to Brighton; and, as the only means of repairing my error, I must insist on her return with as little delay as possible. If you are not inclined to shorten your visit, I will come myself to fetch her; and, in the meanwhile, I must entreat you to discourage any intercourse with Lord John. Ellen is, happily, too young to be capable of forming a strong attachment; and the transient impression which is probably only due to gratified vanity, will soon be effaced by change of scene and a return to her regular studies. Unless it is necessary to give the true reason for the summons home, it will be advisable to keep this letter to yourself, especially as she has told me nothing.

'The children are well, and happy when not rendered fretful by indulgence in the nursery and by Kate.

"Yours affectionately,

'ANNE KERR.'

'Marine Parade, Thursday.

'MY DEAR ANNE.

'I cannot write governess-English, even

on this weighty matter; but I will give you as

full and plain an answer as I can, confining myself to a bare statement of facts.

'Listen, then the Caltons only came into Brighton on Monday, and they called here on Tuesday morning. The two young ladies invited Ellen to ride with them, which she accordingly did: they urged her to go with them to a ball, which she declined-very unnecessarily, I thought; but there is a phantom, called 'Anne says,' always hovering about, to interfere with her harmless. enjoyments. Yesterday morning, while I was wondering whether it would be too soon to return Lady Calton's visit, Lord John walked in, charged with an invitation from his mother to join their party to a morning concert. I accepted only for Ellen, as I think it well to throw her on her own resources; and they called for her. She came back delighted: she sat between Lord John and his mother, and talked more of Lady Calton's kindness than of the music. While I write, a note has come in from Lady Cecil to 'Dear Ellen,' asking us to dine with them this evening, and hoping that we shall not mind quite a family party. And Ellen, with a dawning consciousness, which it is very pretty to see, asks what she is to say, as if she did not know that the invitation must be accepted, and is composing her note with as much care as if she knew that Lord John would look over his sister's shoulder to read it.

'Now will you tell me if this looks as if the Calton family regarded their cadet's marriage with a portionless orphan' with 'aversion and dislike'-whether, in fact, they are not doing