Thyrza

rly-furnished room, the walls covered with carelessly-hung etchings and water-colours, and with photographs which were doubtless mementoes of travel; dwarf book

t glimpses of sun-smitten lake and sheer hillsid

uffering under a Calamity; her second 'season' had been ruined at its very culmination by a ludicrous contretemps in the shape of an attack of measles. Just when she flattered herself that she had never looked so lovely, an instrument of destiny embraced her in the shape of an affectionate child, and lo! she was a fright. Her constitut

't you think so?' after a running series of comments on some matter which smacked exceedingly of the town. He was not more than five-and-forty, yet had thin, grizzled hair, and a sallow face wi

ll from Paula pro

where Eg

ked up with a smile. She was about to say

in London-at least,

e that he is there now,

me a full account of himself. Isn't it too bad that people don't write to me? Everybody forgets you when you're out

er yesterday, Paula

n it. I know exactly all that mamma will say, from beginning to end, before I open the envelope. Not a scrap o

source of news?' said

were there in February; he and I had ever such a time one day when the others were out hunting. Mamma won't let me hunt; isn't it too bad of her? He didn't speak a single serious word all th

er cup to her lips. Mr. Newthorpe just cast a rapid eye over

econd egg. 'We lost sight of him for two or three months,

her uncle answered, 'when he h

t. By-the-by, what's his address? Some

he replie

Ormonde; she always knows where he is, a

er a brief Consultation with Mrs. Martin, the housekeeper, would ordinarily have sat down to study in the morning room. She laid open a book on the table, but

ind which knew the influence of mountain solitude. But her health was complete; she could row for long stretches, and on occasion fatigued her father in rambles over moor and fell. Face and figure were m

lfilment. Another year and Annabel would have entered the social mill; she had beauty enough to achieve distinction, and the means of the family were ample to enshrine her. But she never 'came out.' No one would at first believe that Mr. Newthorpe's retreat was final; no one save a close friend or two who understood what his life had been, and how he dreaded for his daughter the temptations which had warped her mother's womanhood. 'In any case,' wrote Mrs. Tyrrell, his sister-in-law, when a year and a half had gone by, 'you will of course let me have Annabel shortly. I pray you to remember that s

wavelets along the pebbly margin. The opposite slopes glassed themselves in the deep dark water-Swarth Fell, Hallin Fell, Place Fell-one after the other; above the southern bend of the lake rose noble summits, softly touched with mist whic

ened the book upon her lap and glanced down a page or two, but without interest. At length external things were wholly lost to her,

rpe's. Annabel turned her head and saw a young man, perhaps of seven-and-twenty, dressed in a light walking-suit, with a smal

id, 'that someone was sitting here, and I ca

w of surprise, and returned his

uldn't tell us for certain whether you were in Engl

you?' he asked, as if

has been ill, and they s

Jersey for a month;

ear yourself from L

evotee of the Seaso

progress in c

ng, and feel better for it. I took a big chest of

ain. Shall we wal

en in upon y

lume; it was Buskin'

ot it; and

he wh

disappo

oke of another matter as th

nance was meditative, with a tendency to sadness. In talk he readily became vivacious; his short sentences, delivered with a very clear and conciliating enunciation, seemed to indicate energy. It was a peculiarity that he very rarely smiled, or perhaps I should say that he had the faculty of smiling only with his eyes. At such moments his look was very wi

en she stood aside for him to enter before her. Mr. Newthorpe was writing; he

alked of you this morn

from Pool

t looked behind him; but Annabel

oom in which Paula s

hat young lady. 'I'm just finis

ritten to M

dded and

downs

ed, looking

ly, B

lked over from

discover any, but of course one hasn't good eyes for one's own little speckles

ed her with consc

eed, I should say you are loo

u don't pay compliments, either. Shall

rtunity indeed. But she looked at Paula with simple curiosity, seemin

in the house,' she replied.

door, but suddenl

in your serious head?' she said, m

nodded,

believe me. I shall be cross w

anion flitted about, catching glimpses of herself in reflecting surfac

with the manner of an old

you well again without having

know that

ing so, quite dispelled the girl's illusion that he was

ty the peopl

and to talk wisely. I know nobody in London who

n-time?' said Mr. Newthorpe. 'Egremont want

elf she dabbled her fingers over the boat-side, and any light remark that she made was addressed to her cousin. Annab

la asked of Egremont, presently. Her tone

adi

vel

N

are you g

ondon. My travels

el. 'Did you ever calculate how many miles

er with quiet scrutiny, 'but I dare say some profit has c

la in surprise. '

preac

her lips dis

ness. Don't you find the sun dreadfully hot, Annabe

nifest in him gave way under the influence of the sky, and when it was time to approach the landing-place he had fallen into a mood of cheerful talk-light with Paula, with Annabel

to the water to meet them; h

on education,' he said, with a h

f the working classes, he casually throws out the hint that employers of labour will do wisely to increase the intelligence of their han

ked on in advance; Egremont continued to speak of Mr. Dalmaine, a rising p

combine by all means," he said; "it's a fair fight." There you have the man; it seems to him mere common s

his nostrils trembling. Mr. Newthorpe kep

father for a word

' she asked, apparently speaking

rive over to Pooley Bridge for his bag

his mind?' she c

nly given me a hint. I dare say we