The Beautiful Wretch; The Pupil of Aurelius; and The Four Macnicols

lying so hushed and silent that you would have thought it was listening for the chirp of the small birds among the gorse, a young

ental wisps and rings: her grayish or gray-blue eyes were reserved and thoughtful rather than shrewd and observant. No, she was not beautiful; but she had a face that attracted interest; and though her look was timid and retiring, nevertheless her eyes could, on occasion

example, she arrived at the conclusion that fairies were never seen in the daytime for the reason that God had had them all 'fwied for his bweakfast,' it was clear that she was bringing a quite independent mind to bear on the phenomena of the universe around her. And then, of course, all sorts of sayings that she never uttered or thought of were attributed to her. Whenever a story was particularly wicked, it was sure to be put down to Nan Beresford. The old Admiral, who had at the outset given her that nickname, spent a great deal of time that might have been profitably employed otherwise in deliberately inve

about the house; some of whom, thinking to be facetious, would occasionally begin to tease Miss Nan, she being the youngest admitted to lunch or afternoon tea. But this shy, freckled young person, whose eyes could laugh up so quickly, had a nimbleness of wit and dexterity of fence that usually left her antagonist exceedingly sorry. One can imagine a ga

in a sort of half-declared contempt of sentimentalities and flirtations-of which, to be sure, she sees a good deal around her. She likes to be alone; she reads much; she has ideas; she worships Mr. Huxley; and she needs no other company than her own when she goes off on long explorations of curving shore or inland vale. O

moment some on

ng l

ll known along the south coast by the name of Singing Sal. She was a good-looking, trimly-dressed, strapping wench of five-and-twenty, with a sun-tanned face, brilliant white teeth when she laughed, and big brown eyes that were at once friendly and audacious in their scrutiny. She looked

n her eyes, 'but I have often seen you as you was walking along the downs; and many's the time I have wi

sight; and her appearance and manner were alike extremely prepossessing. Nan had heard her sing, but never speak

you, as I saw you go by. I've often been thinking that if one could only see into it, the mind of a young lady like you-brought up like you in the

and there with silver and golden reflections. Nan was embarrassed; nevertheless sh

our mind, Miss,' said she, with a smile. 'Wo

o it was a florin. She held up the perforated coin, and gl

of when she gave you that florin? It wasn't an accident; for she took it carefully out of her purse. And it wasn't because she thought you were starving; for you don't look like that. No, she gave it to you that you might think it enough for one night's earnings, and go away home, a

there was a touch of something fine about her-something true, downright, unmistakable-that so

ing she could do for this new acquaintance; but she suddenly reflected that the young woman wa

company; and I have to take things as they come; but when I hear of very fine young ladies-mind, not poor girls driven by starvation, or forced to support a sick mother, or kicked out of doors by a drunken father-and these fine l

ot to speak of such things. I am tired of listening to women who can talk of nothing

she turned to this pleasant-looking stranger and said, with

, I

main t

ed in her

s what I like best-open sea, open sky, open downs. I do believe my forefathers were either gipsies, or else they had had a good dose o' the

very solitary life,' said N

self,' added Sal with a modest smile. 'I'm not afraid to be out o' nights, when I know where my bed is; and sometimes I can do without that. Why, that is the best of all the tramps-a clear moonlight night along these downs; and you have the whole world to yourself; everything and everybody asleep, except maybe a watchdog up at one of the farms. And the ships out at sea-you can tell whether they're going up or down Channel by the red or the green light, and you think of the poor chap at the helm, and hope he'll get soon home to his wife and children. That is a real fine tramp, Miss; you want to sing almost, and yet it's too beautiful to be broken by a sound. And then there's a fortnight in the Spring

her might have to say about this strange acquaintance. 'But what has

idge until he married a second time; then it grew too hot for me, rather; and so I took to the road, and I've never regretted it. Human nature is what I like to look at; and if I may make so bold as to say it, I guess there'

Brighton also?' said

no. But perhaps, if it is not making too free,

ord, and I live in Brun

eat friendliness and respect. 'Maybe I shall see you some other day on the

d away, also; and she kept her hands behind her. So Nan bade her g

woman, whom she at once guessed to be Singing Sal. That solitary figure was impressive there-high up on the edge of the slope; the still, shining sea far below her; and all around her and illumining her, as it were, t