faint pink glow, like that of the briar rose, tinged her cheek; I wonder what it implies.'

'Not what you fancy,' returned Susan, colouring crimson. I only want to know, and not quite from curiosity either. I have so often longed to hear the story of your life; and now that you are no longer my governess, but my friend, I have a right

to know.'

'Foolish child!' said Ailie, with a sad, patient smile: 'I have no story to tell.'

'Then at least answer my question.

ever loved ?'

Were you

I was

'Yes,' said Ailie, repeating, after a moment's hesitation: there is no story to tell. young and happy, though quiet, even then, and he won my heart,-took some pains to win it, as I fancied at the time, and I believe others fancied also. But he was not in a position to marry, and my father was already struggling with the difficulties which ended in his ruin, and so years dragged on, and he never declared his attachment, and still I waited, not doubting that the time would come. But the crash came first: I went to London with my father, we lost sight of each other, and have never met since.'

'We heard from him, among other friends, in those first sad days, expressing sympathy, and offering such assistance as was in his power. All such offers were of course declined.'

'But that was right,' said Susan, with kindling eyes; 'have you got the letter ?’

'I did not know the instinct of romance was so

strong,' said Ailie, smiling: 'I suppose that I must make an end of the story. I had the letter, but I destroyed it about two years ago!'

'And why?'

'It was when I heard of his marriage.'

Susan could only caress the hand she held in hers, afraid to look up or speak again. But Ailie went on in the same quiet voice as before. You need not pity me, dear. My life here has been a happy one from the first, and it has been still happier since I knew certainly that there was no other in store for me. For then all restlessness was stilled, and there was an end of hope deferred.'

'Dear Ailie! I wish that every one was as good as you. But one comfort is, that the story quite bears out my opinion of mankind.

'Men were deceivers ever,

One foot in sea, and one on shore,
To one thing constant never.'

'My dear child!' Ailie began in an admonitory tone, when she was interrupted by Lily's entrance. 'Oh, Susan! Mamma sent me to look for you. The Ashfords drove up to the door as we did, and she wants you to come down to entertain the girls.'

Surely she might have kept you instead,' said Susan. 'You can go down and say that I am dressing, or going to dress. My hair is really not presentable.'

'It will do very well if you put on your hat again,' said Miss Alison.

'And Mamma told me to call you,' Lilias added.

Well, I suppose I must go,' said Susan, as she tied on her hat with a sigh. I know that I would rather hoe turnips every day, and all day long, than submit to the thraldom of young-ladyhood.'

'Susan will not find only the Ashfords in the drawing-room,' observed Lilias demurely: we overtook Leonard and Mr. Merton in the approach; Leonard met him as he was going to call at Kilworth, and they turned back together.'

Instead of making any remark on this information, Miss Alison asked Lilias to summon her sisters to the school-room tea.

90

'I

CHAPTER IX.

Du mal qu'un amour ignoré

Nous fait souffrir,

J'en porte l'âme déchirée
Jusqu'à mourir.

A. DE MUSSET.

SHALL come back in the autumn,' said Leonard. The assurance was given in reply to Miriam's half-reproachful inquiry whether he was really going to Scotland.

'In October. And in November they all go to town, so that you will be here only a month.'

'Why, I could not stay much longer, even if the Mains were not deserted. The law-courts meet in November, and I mean to work like a tiger. You know you are to teach me to like hard work.' 'But I shall be here,' said Miriam.

'I am not so sure of that. If we cannot induce Uncle Ralph to take a town house, you must go to town with the Mordaunts. It would never do for you to pass the winter in the solitude of Duck Dub.'

'I do not mind the solitude.'

'But I mind it for you. I want to transform you into a sociable being.'

Miriam's reluctant smile implied that the task

would be no light one, and the prospect of accompanying the Mordaunts to London, or of remaining at Duck Dub, appeared to be equally distasteful.

'By that time,' said Leonard, making another effort to brighten her sad face,—' by that time you must have some tidings of George.'

'Perhaps,' said Miriam; 'but I don't know why I should care. George's letters tell so little; and indeed I know that there is nothing good to hear.'

I dare say he will write more fully than you expect. A real separation often developes a genius for correspondence. And at all events you will hear from your father.'

'No,' said Miriam steadily, he will not write, nor do I wish that he should. You think me unforgiving,' she added, as Leonard made no reply.

'I do not blame you, Miriam. I was only thinking how terrible must have been the wrongs which have nourished such bitterness in your gentle

nature.'

'It is not my own wrongs which I resent,' said Miriam ; but I will try to forget even hers, if you think I ought. Do you go to-morrow ?'

'To-morrow,' repeated Leonard. 'Shall you miss me much ?'

'So much!' repeated Miriam simply, while she raised her soft eyes, full of sad tenderness, to his face. They were sitting in the shrubbery at Duck Dub, and it was with difficulty that Leonard resisted the impulse to raise to his lips the little hand which lay passive in his grasp. But he did resist it: a small remnant of discretion reminded him