a set of chessmen, but this half-shaped rook was all that I accomplished. Then I went to school, and came back to despise such sedentary employments as unworthy of the possessor of horse and dog, and the tools have never seen daylight from that day to this."

He now set to work, with almost boyish eagerness, to plane and prepare a small block of beech-wood for the first incisions, and he did not lay down his tools until a very creditable oak-leaf had been accomplished between them. He was so much absorbed in the task of instructing Walter, that no one but Mary attempted to introduce any other subject. She slipped off her chair as soon as tea was over, untied and folded up her pinafore, and then came up to Walter's couch, blushing and hanging her head, to whisper, that she wished so much to know how Nettle was. As the little coquette no doubt intended, the whisper was sufficiently audible to save Walter the trouble of repeating the question. Lord De Cressy promptly answered that Nettle was never better; and Mary, ashamed of her own daring, speedily retreated behind her papa's chair.

When the clock struck seven, Lord De Cressy remembered that he was engaged to dine at the other end of the town, and he took a hurried leave after promising to procure some scraps of old carving which might serve as patterns to work from. "And when I come again," he added, patting Mary's head, "I will not forget to bring Nettle."

The little tongues were unloosed as soon as the door was closed, Frank's excepted, whose eyes and mouth had been distended during the visit, so that he found some

relief in closing them. The baby announced with emphasis that "the man was gone," and looked round to defy the contradiction which no one attempted. Mary asked her papa whether Lord De Cressy had meant what he said about Nettle "really and truly?" and Cecil, flying to the window to see the cabriolet drive off, gave a glowing description of the horse's glossy coat.

Walter reserved his opinion until the first excitement had subsided. Then he said, with a sort of sigh of pleasure, "I like him very much, do not you, mamma?"

"Yes, dear, I should like any one so kind to you," said Agnes.

"And he is not kind like some people, whom I ought to like, only they make me uncomfortable. Mr. Dawson always pities me, and calls me 'poor fellow,' and puts his great rough hand on my head so heavily, that it makes me shudder. And yet I am sorry not to be more pleased to see him, when he is so kind."

The mother smiled, though sadly, as she heard her boy unconsciously reveal the sensitive delicacy of his mind and body, so that he sought a degree of refinement and gentleness which was little likely to be his portion in this rough world.

"And mamma," said Walter, in a half whisper, as he nestled his head on his mother's shoulder, "who knows, mamma, if I may not make money by carving, instead of being a burden, as I am now and so we may grow rich faster than we shall ever do by copying papers."

But as he was fully aware that this bright vision was far from its accomplishment, Walter resolutely closed

the lid of the precious box, to apply himself to the laborious task of copying; nor did he shrink from Mr. Dawson's offending hand, when he came in with a sheaf of papers which promised employment for some days to

come.

CHAPTER V.

For men must work, and women must weep,
When there's little to earn, and many to keep.

C. K.

LORD DE CRESSY was more fortunate in his next visit to Lowndes-square, and, indeed, he took the precaution of ascertaining that Lady Harriet was not alone before obtaining admittance, since he had no desire to involve himself in another private conference with her. She and her daughters were in consultation over the trimmings of new bonnets, in the back drawing-room, and his entrance availed to hasten their decision, Lady Harriet exclaiming "Is that you, De Cressy? I will come to you directly."

With great sincerity Lord De Cressy entreated his aunt not to hurry herself, and he turned to greet Kathleen, who sat at work as usual among the plants in the open window "Well, Miss Mortimer," he said, “I

suppose your soul soars above such frivolities."

Kathleen replied in the same half-rallying tone, so "If my soul is so buoyant, I am afraid that it is only because my purse is not heavy enough to keep it down."

often used to veil deeper feelings

Lord De Cressy looked annoyed by this allusion to disagreeable truths which it was his great object to keep out of sight. "In that case," he said, "I suppose that

you consider riches a bar to any high or disinterested feeling."

"I did not say I do not think so," replied Kathleen, hastily; “I rather meant to say that people are not necessarily disinterested because the pomps and vanities are in some measure out of their reach; at least, it is a far higher kind of goodness which prevails in spite of them."

"I do not care to argue on abstract principles," said Lord De Cressy; "do tell me whose exalted goodness I am to admire."

"I was not thinking of what is admirable, so much as of what is to be blamed," said Kathleen, her tone unconsciously revealing so much dejection that there could be no doubt that she applied the censure to herself.

Lord De Cressy regarded her with interest, but his impulse to continue the subject and press for a more explicit reply, was checked by the appearance of Lady Harriet. "That important matter is settled," she said, "short of the colour of the flowers, which the girls must decide for themselves. Blue convolvuli are as unbecoming to Addy as pink roses are to Sophy, so one of the two must resign herself to looking like a fright. Congratulate yourself, my dear Kathleen, that you need consult nobody's taste but your own."

Kathleen doubted whether such a forlorn condition was a subject for congratulation, and then denied the assertion, laughingly declaring that Lady Harriet was, in fact, a more severe critic of her dress than of that of her own daughters.

"Why, yes," rejoined Lady Harriet; "it is worth. while to make you dress well but as for them!