nate as it was possible for such a sweet-tempered girl to look.

Miss Julia Graham next sang a pretty little sentimental ditty, all made up of airy nothings, cupids, forget-me-nots and kisses, and a few broken-hearted exclamations. Nobody seemed much to enjoy it, except Mr. Ward, who listened to the pretty warbler with ravished attention, and thanked her in a markedly warm manner as she ceased.

After one or two more songs, Percival of course included among the singers (for this was an opportunity not to be lost of exhibiting his vocal powers), those who wished to climb the remaining bit were informed they had better start at once if they wanted to reach home before nightfall. Tea would be ready for them on their return, Mrs. Keith and her eldest daughter remaining below to make it.

Norah waited till she had heard the rest of the party announce their intention of attempting the ascent, and then asked to be allowed to stay and help with the tea preparations. She felt a little tired, she said, and would prefer to rest.

Geoffrey, who overheard her request, turned round surprised, and could not resist saying,

'Miss Grant, that doesn't sound like you; I am sure you would enjoy the fine view from the top. Have you turned suddenly lazy? Won't you change your mind?'

But Norah, seeing with satisfaction that Percival had been walked off by Mr. Keith, and was now gradually disappearing from view, kept firm to her intention. She would much rather remain below, as she really felt tired.'

Now had Geoffrey offered to stay and help with these same tea preparations, Norah's little heart would gladly have answered, 'Stay,' though I still doubt if her

manner would have acted in unison. But to propose such a thing never entered his head.

Ah,

'Some lovers' quarrel, I suppose,' he thought, as he walked off after the others. 'Strange this manner of hers, though. Can Miss Duff by any chance have made a mistake in what she said? I fear not. She repeated to me, as she assured me, Norah's ". very words," and inferred that they were next door to engaged. well, I suppose the Fates have decreed that I am to die a bachelor, and perhaps in time I may resign myself to my doom. Three weeks ago I desired nothing better. I shall not be the first man who has had to resign the darling wish of his heart, tough work though it is; and poor Geoffrey sighed as he strode on, soon coming up with Mr. Keith and Percival, and continuing in their company till, after a few more puffs and pulls, they reached the summit, where the rest of the 'picnickers' already

were.

Percival glanced round, evidently expecting to see Norah among the number, and turned with a disappointed face to Geoffrey, who stood near.

'I say, Lindsay, didn't you fancy Miss Grant was on in front of us?'

'Hardly,' said Geoffrey, smiling, 'seeing I left her below some ten minutes before joining you and Mr. Keith. She said she was tired, and preferred the rest.'

'Do you think she was really tired, or only wanted pressing? I believe if I had asked her she would have joined us.'

'Do you, indeed, Mr. Leicester? remarked Geoffrey, with a slightly satirical smile. You seem to have great ideas of your own powers of persuasion. Pray what makes you so sure you could have induced Miss Grant to come?'

'No; but really, on your honour, can you? because I have something I should like much to tell you.'

'Tell away, then,' said Geoffrey rather impatiently. I am not given to blab as a rule.'

'I believe I may trust you; what I want to tell you is this. You ask me how I feel so sure I could have induced Miss Grant to join us. You must know, then, that she and I are old friends, not mere acquaintances of a day. We spent together up here what was to me the happiest time of my life last year, and I can't help believing I was fortunate enough to make some small impression on her. You know living together in a country house for some time is dangerous work,' he added, with a satisfied smile that nearly drove Geoffrey wild; and though of late she has been rather shy and coy at times, who could help liking her the better for that? All girls like to find fault with us poor men sometimes. And, Lindsay, as I have begun I may as well make a clean breast of it, and tell you that my one cherished ambition, which I live to fulfil, which I dream of by night and think of by day, is to make that girl my wife; and between you and me and this mountain I don't mean to rest till I have achieved it!'

"O yes, I understand,' said Geoffrey, cutting him short impatiently. Well, I wish you joy; and if you gain her-mind, if you gain her-O Leicester, take care of her, on your conscience, for you will have won a treasure

-see that you value it;' and he strode off, leaving Percival thinking to himself,

'What a gushing old fellow that is, to be sure! and I had always fancied him so reserved. However, he need not have cut up quite so rough, nor preached me my duty in quite so determined a manner. Of course I shall value her as she deserves; I should think I knew just about as well as he the treasure that she is. But he meant well, no doubt, poor fellow; and I must take it so.'

As Geoffrey had stood listening to the youth's long and conceited harangue, he felt that it would be an intense satisfaction to pick him up and lightly drop him over the mountain-side. That this dolt, this conceited booby, should calmly speak of winning that little jewel of a girl; and that she should not see through the utter vanity and littleness of the man! If, as it is said, marriages are made in heaven, surely such a one as this never could be so! How was it that things seemed to get so unfairly settled in this beautiful world? he thought, as he glanced away over the noble mountains that rose all around, one above the other, till their

summits seemed almost to reach the heavens. Would this youth, this mere boy, ever turn into a good and reliable husband? Was he such a man as a girl like Norah dare from her heart swear 'to love, honour, and obey'? Would his affection remain strong and faithful till death came to part them ? Would he be tender and strong, loving and true, as long as God let them be together? And then the horrid thought arose-Percival was rich, and Norah comparatively poor. Could this weigh with her in her choice? Ah, no; he cast the thought from him with scorn, thankful that he could honestly

do so. Such a fact, he knew, could carry no weight with it in Norah's eyes.

Poor fellow! This was surely the most bitter struggle he had ever been called upon to make and conquer; but he did conquer at last, for when he joined the rest, though his face may have been a shade paler than usual, no one noticed it; and if his manner was rather quieter than before, the others were gay and busy with their own affairs, and did not remark the difference, but chattered away brightly as they made the descent, and arrived at their encampment, where tea was now temptingly prepared.

They had to hurry over it, as the sun was now fast setting, and nightfall on the mountains was not then to be desired. They soon gathered their traps together, and the cavalcade set out on its homeward march. Miss Tennant expressed a wish to walk; and Nolly being thereby riderless, Norah accepted his help and rode on beside Miss Keith, glad of her escort; for she saw Percival's determination in his manner, and dreaded what might follow were they left alone together. She felt tired and worried, longing to be once more at home in the solitude of her own room, where, if the truth be confessed, she promised herself the luxury of a good cry. Poor little soul! things had seemed to go all wrong to-day. Ah, Norah, remember what you said to Geoffrey on the hill the other day:

'Behind the clouds is the sun still shining, Some days must be dark and dreary.' It was bright weather when you said that, and the clouds had not begun to make their appearance; but where is your faith now they are just gathering? Cheer up! Behind the clouds the sun is hining; only believe it!

CHAPTER VIII.

'Talkers are no good doers.' SHAKESPEARE. 'There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.' SHAKESPEARE.

Ir was past nine before Mr. Ross and his party reached home; and as they drove up the avenue, the light, streaming out from between the red curtains of the cosy drawing-room, looked to Norah unusually bright and cheery. Fanny came to the door to meet them.

'I thought you had all made up your minds to pass the night on the hill, you are so late in returning! Have you had a pleasant time?'

Very much so indeed, my dear,' answered her husband, who had had every reason to find the day pleasant.

A perfectly charming day, dear Mrs. Ross; I don't think I ever enjoyed a picnic so much.' This from Miss Tennant, who also had seen everything through rose-coloured spectacles.

'Awfully jolly time-capital lunch,' from Percival, who, though the opportunity he desired had not as yet been granted, still saw no reason to be dissatisfied with his day's work.

Norah and Geoffrey said nothing, letting the others' conversation cover their silence; and, after a few questions and answers, all went up-stairs to prepare for the high tea which awaited them, only Miss Duff and her niece remaining below.

'I am glad they've had such a nice day, aunt, are not you? They seem all to have enjoyed their picnic.'

Miss Duff grunted,

'No fear of that, child; we are only too apt to forget that this world is a "vale of tears," and enjoy our pleasures here too much,'

Fanny always disliked this style of talk, and so made answer,

'Do you think so, aunt? I believe we are meant to take all the enjoyment we can get out of this pleasant world of ours, and I never can make up my mind to think of it as a howling wilderness. What could be more innocent than to-day's pleasuring, for instance? Surely these things would never have been given us, had we not been intended to enjoy them, without abusing them, I mean.'

Miss Duff drew herself up to her full height, looked mortally offended, and made answer,

'Seems to me, child, you rather forget our relative ages; my opinions are based on experience, while yours-well, I won't say much about them, but at least your wisdom has not been tested by so many trials as mine; and I tell you, child, the more you wean yourself from this world and its vain shows and pleasures, so much happier you will become. It is not the actual picnic I object to, but the principle of the thing, the consequences that—'

Miss Duff was going on to explain her many objections; but at this moment Norah reëntered the room, and the old lady had to stop suddenly short in her harangue, cough, try to appear unconscious, and finally call Bijou and march out of the room. Fanny followed to see that everything had been comfortably prepared for tea. Thus Norah was left alone; but not for long: a footstep sounded in the hall, and in a minute Percival entered. His face brightened as he saw Norah alone, and now or never,' he said to himself, as he advanced towards her.

'Have you had an enjoyable day, Miss Grant?' he began by way of introduction.

'No, Miss Grant; don't laugh, this matter is a most serious one to me. You must have noticed that I have wished all day, only you never gave me a chance, to speak to you about—'

Once more Norah determined to put a stop to this, and interrupted him.

'Do you know, Mr. Leicester, I have got such a nasty headache this evening, and hardly feel up to much talking. Some other day I shall be glad to discuss any of your plans, but just now I should so enjoy being quiet till tea-time. Pray forgive my interrupting you in this rude way, but I am sure I should not do your plans justice to-night.'

What more could Percival say? and as Miss Duff at that moment entered the room, he thought it was perhaps just as well he had not got too far in his declaration, as it might have been awkward; he only hoped that the tiresome old lady had not heard more of their conversation than just the last few words.

Miss Duff had her spectacles on her nose as she stalked into the room, and looking keenly at Norah and Percival, she took in the position at a glance,' as she afterwards observed; screwed her mouth up into wonderfully small compass, and blandly remarked it was 'a fine evening.' It is so pleasant to find our conjectures prove correct; and she felt in a very good humour.

At tea that night Fanny noticed Norah's pale looks, and on being questioned she had to confess to a slight headache.

6

Nothing worth speaking of, though; it will be all right by the morning, after a good night's rest.'

'I think you had better go up at once, as you won't have any more tea. I am sure bed is much the best place for a headache, and I will come up in a minute or two and see that you are comfortable,' proposed Fanny.

Norah gratefully followed the welcome advice; and as she left the room, Fanny remarked,

'I hope she has not been overdoing herself; I am surprised at her being tired, she is usually so hearty and strong.'

'I fancied she was quieter than usual at times when I happened to be near her to-day,' said Mr. Ross, who was not an observant man. Had his wife been of the party, she would probably have taken in everything at once, and set about trying to put all to rights.

Soon after tea she proposed bed; and after depositing Miss Duff and Bijou in their room, and bidding Miss Tennant good-night in hers, where she received from that damsel a gushing account of the 'really too charming day she had spent,' she betook herself to Norah's room and knocked at the door. Norah had hardly begun to undress, but was standing listlessly by the fire, and Fanny felt convinced that a minute before she had been crying.

'This will never do,' she thought; and walking briskly up, said in her most cheery way, 'Why, I expected to find you almost in bed, you lazy girl, and you have hardly begun to undress yet; I shall just stay and put you to bed like a big baby! Now

VOL. XXXVII. NO. CCXXVII.

don't talk, but sit down in this armchair and I will brush your hair; that always does my headache good.'

Norah obeyed, feeling grateful at not being plied with questions and compelled to talk; for Fanny's thoughtful kindness had wellnigh brought back the tears into her eyes. On keeping her troubles to herself she was determined.

She was soon settled comfortably in bed, and as Fanny bent over to kiss and wish her goodnight, she gave her a loving hug, and told her she had almost charmed away the pain.

That's right, sleep away the rest, and you will be all right again by the morning.' She was about to leave the room, when a thought struck her, and returning once more to the bedside, she said very gently, There is nothing wrong besides the headache, is there, dear, that I might perhaps help to cure?'

Norah was thankful that only the flickering firelight lit the room, for the quick colour rushed to her cheeks at this question, and she answered hurriedly, giving Fanny's hand a grateful squeeze as she spoke,

'No, nothing, thank you; it will be all right by the morning.'

A fib, of course, but what could she say? Besides, what good could any one do in the matter that worried her? So once more wishing her good-night, Fanny left the room. As she opened the door of her own chamber, she could hardly restrain an exclamation of surprise; there, seated in front of the fire, in Fanny's big armchair, dragged forward for the purpose, attired in a bright violet dressing -gown, crimson shoes, and a large night-cap riding rampant on a mass of little curlpapers, sat Miss Duff with Bijou

DD