But when he laid him on the bed upstairs, Sir Philip saw that he was biting his lips, and that his face was very pale.

"My boy, have I hurt you?" Sir Philip asked.

"You can't help it; no one can. Even Auntie hurts a little. But I have got much braver now. I try to be a real soldier, and to fight all I can for His sake. You know who I mean."

Sir Philip bent over the child, and kissed him.

bless

"God

you, my dear boy; don't forget me;" and then he was gone.

Rosie went to give the maid some orders about being ready by ten o'clock the next morning; and when Sir Philip returned to the drawing-room it was empty. He saw Irene no more; and only Rosie returned to bid him good night, and to say that she would be quite ready to start at the appointed time the next day. She put her arm through her brother's; and, looking up into his face, said,

'Philip, I don't understand you now. I think," she went on, in her childlike, caressing way, "I think you are making a mistake, and that you and Irene would be so happy together; far happier than you and Lady

66

He repulsed Rosie almost roughly, and said, “You are a mere child, Rosie, and don't know anything about it. Pray do not interfere in my concerns.' "I do understand," she said, trembling, while the tears started to her bright eyes; I do understand what love means, and I do know the difference between those who can love if all things go smoothly, and those who fly off, like swallows, at the first breath of adversity. I do know what Irene is."

"Not another word, Rosie," Sir Philip said, sternly;

and then he repented of his harshness. As he was going down the little garden, he stopped, and held out his hand.

"Rosie, my child, forgive me. savage of late; poor little thing!

I have been horribly

and he stroked the

curly head, which was only too glad to lean against his

shoulder in token of full reconciliation. yesterday," he added.

"I saw Sandford "He is living in hope, and is

going to spend the winter with the old people at Stow, and he has begun a book of Alpine feats, which he is to write and I am to illustrate. Good night, little one! "

He thought he had seen the last of Irene; but the next morning, after a restless night, he turned out of the hotel, in the mists of the autumn morning, when scarcely a creature was stirring in the little village, and walked over the cliffs. Returning, he passed the churchyard, and went in. By a white marble cross a small figure was leaning, which struck him as at once familiar. scarcely liked to intrude on Irene at such a moment, and was going to retreat, when she turned her head and saw him.

"You are out early," he said, going up to her.

He

"Yes; I have had a sleepless night; the poor child has suffered so much. I have scarcely left him, and I come here for a little refreshment almost every morning"

Sir Philip read the inscription on the slab, and saw that both her father and her mother were buried there.

"I come here to realize rest and peace," she said; "and it braces me for what I have to do. I like to think of them who rest not day or night in the service of Him whom they loved, and yet can never know weariness or tiredness again. The service of love which cannot be weary, must be the perfection of life."

Evidently she was very tired; for, as she spoke, her eyes bent down upon the turf, where now a thousand dewdrops were sparkling in the eastern sunshine, which had just triumphed over the mists and fogs. He saw that her cheeks were very pale, and that on the long fringe of lashes, which rested on them, there was also dew, the dew of recent tears.

“You are doing too much," he said; “it ought not to be so."

"Oh! no; it is not too much," she answered. “I am not always so tired." She looked up at him, and there was an expression in his eyes which brought the colour back into her face, and in another minute she had drawn herself up to her full height, and said, in her natural tone—“Will you come home to breakfast? it is just nine o'clock."

"I ordered it at the hotel, thanks," he said; I suppose we must part here.”

Something like a shadow came into her dim eyes ; but it passed away.

'Good-bye," she said ; "I will see that Rosie is at the coach office by ten o'clock. Thank you for smoothing the way for me to have her for this week; it has been such a help. Good-bye."

So they parted. One going on in the path, which lay up the mountain side, ever higher and higher the ascent— so the world said; for honours and success seemed to come thick and fast on Sir Philip Dennistoun. The other—to her lowly, but appointed track, through the valley; taking up the way-side flowers of love and selfforgetfulness, and unconsciously weaving for her gentle brow a crown of unfading beauty; unconsciously to herself, too, being raised higher and higher on the wings

of faith and hope to Him whose loving-kindness is better than the life itself; who, for the meek and gentle souls, reserves a height of blessedness in the Eternal Kingdom of His Father, of which they little dream nor has it entered into their hearts to conceive.

CHAPTER X.

SIR JASPER ONCE MORE.

"O, learn to read what silent love hath writ,

To hear with eyes, belongs to love's fine wit!"
SHAKESPEARE.

ONE bright morning, early in January, Rosie Dennistoun came dancing into the drawing-room at Ecclestone Square, and rushed into Irene's arms, with all her wonted empressement.

"You are really come then. Isn't it delightful; and just in time for the great events which are coming off, and for the climax of the 28th, my birthday festivities, a dinner, and a dance; and heaps of people staying in the house at Rockdeane, and all kinds of fun. This drawingroom looks desolate without Cuthbert's sofa, I must say; how is he?"

"Much better," was the reply; "and in a month's time I hope he will be able to return with his mother. She is so glad to be with him again, and the change was good for Mary, who has not been very strong this winter, and, perhaps, just as well for every one."

"For you certainly, you look dreadfully pale and thin; but I I daresay you will will only begin to trudge about after the poor people, and wear yourself out with them. I shall not allow it, while