his breath and presently asked her, al- | have been," and he put his arm round his Then she turned to the governess, and asked her if she and the girls would join them later on the lawn. Miss Tubb murmured her thanks, blushed under Jo's eye, and looked appealingly at Letty, who got her out of the room., "She is quite invaluable," said Miss Jeanie, gravely, to the young men; and then a sudden flush came over her face, and her mouth was round as a child's as she said, "Oh, do you play lawn tennis?" In a few minutes she was ready, clad in a suitable gown, and armed with her favorite racquet, and was quickly absorbed in a tremendous struggle with Orlando. She laughed when the genial young giant reached strokes which seemed impossible, and he laughed twice as loud admiring her skill and quickness, her parted lips, her eager looks, and all the beauty which seemed nothing to her. Thomas, watching the players, thought how much alike they were, and yet how different, and how very quickly they had become friends. For some reason he could not feel their gaiety, and his thoughts wandered off with sympathy to Miss Tubb, who had of course been disappointed in life, as anybody could see. This was one of those rare summer days, which seem to have no end. Each is a life as happy as uneventful, and its chronicle must be tedious as the biography of a maiden aunt. Yet they are the great slumbrous flowers of the garden where memory loves to wander in idle hours, as the laden bee goes back, and cannot have enough of sweetness. This long day was scarcely old when Mr. Dorian came home. He found his family drinking tea in the veranda; and Miss Jeanie, who had run to meet him like a child, came leading him by the hand towards the young men. This father was evidently the kindest of men, for Letty proudly claimed his other hand, Zoe flung herself upon him, and Miss Tubb expanded in his presence. He had been all his life in business, and had made constant efforts to believe in the wickedness of the world, but to no purpose. There were tears in his eyes as he held out his hand to Orlando, and said, "I must thank you again for what you did yesterday. I don't know how to say-I don't know how to think of what might Hereupon Miss Dorian burst out laughing and caught Thomas's eye and stopped. She introduced him to her father, and looked at him curiously. She was puzzled and almost troubled by him, wondering what he thought about so much. "A splendid place!" said Orlando that evening, as he breathed the night air in his friend's room. "I never believed in maiden simplicity before," murmured Thomas, whose old enthusiasm for romance seemed rather stale to him. "She is like an awfully nice, honest sort of boy," said Orlando, with the air of one inspired. Thomas shuddered. There seemed to him a certain profanity in the remark. CHAPTER III. "Smooth runs the water where the brook is deep." THE days went slowly by, and the two friends did not leave the farm by the river. They had not refused to send for their luggage, and, after all, the place was a good central point for lovers of the Thames. Thus it happened that a great change came over the family, who were converted with wonderful ease to Orlando's theory of life. Mr. Dorian took a holiday. He had read "Wilhelm Meister" when a boy, and there was a half-choked spring of romance beneath his ample waistcoat. He was now suddenly possessed by a conviction that wisdom was to be imbibed with air, and that health and happiness were incompatible with a shirt-collar. He began to row with tremendous energy, to lead his family to distant spots, and to wonder in the solitude of his own room why exercise made him stouter. In the schoolroom lessons were forgotten. Jo added a stupendous chapter, in which was related the tragic story of Miss Tubb's attachment to a bargeman, by whose side the Farnese Hercules was a puny whipster; and Miss Tubb herself, after many fears of possible improprieties, invested secretly in a little manual of training. The headlong zeal and superb example of Orlando inspired the community. Early rising, though cynically regarded by the servants, became a custom; and to greet the rising sun with a shout, assumed the character of a religious observance. To ride, to shoot, and to speak the truth, seemed once page to make sure that she was not bored. He received her kindness with diffidence, and perplexed her by smiles which were at once pathetic and intelligent. 'I can't understand your friend," Miss Jeanie said one day to Orlando, who had been telling her anecdotes about him. more the whole duty of man, and the hardy | quest he read to her in his most dulcet Norseman found a home upon the gentlest tones, but stopped at the bottom of every of rivers. The courage of the men was matched by the endurance of the women, who made an exercise of hair-brushing, and scorned to shriek at the split point of a hairpin. Simplicity was the fashion, and practical Letty manipulated her bed with so much dexterity, that she could almost lie in it as she had made it. All" He seems to be always thanking me and things began to be viewed with the eye of the athlete. It was observed for the first time that the butler was beginning to stoop, and it was suggested that he should for the future carry the tray of coffee-cups on his head. Miss Tubb fell into feeble ecstasies over the wing-muscles of the birds, whom she had previously regarded with merely sentimental interest as feathered songsters of the grove; and the very sunlight, which had been little more than a caress, gained new interest as a tremendous species of force. Thomas alone was cold. He congratulated his friend somewhat dismally on his successful preaching of the brutal life. "Brutal life!" cried Orlando; "I wonder that you can use such coarse expressions." "Why, it was your own word," said the other staring. forgiving me at the same time, and both for nothing.' Orlando laughed, and declared Thomas to be a preposterous but delightful person, deeply tainted by medievalism and incapable of classical simplicity; and so, shouting a sonorous line of Homer, he betook himself to his hollow boat. "You think us very foolish," said Miss Jeanie to Mr. Thomas, with a little nod of decision, as he drew near with a book under his arm. 66 No, indeed I don't," he answered, eagerly. "I envy you, and - and I think you wonderful. You keep the whole thing straight, and yet you don't offend the enthusiasts." "It is fun, if it is silly." "But it is not silly. I know you think me a prig, and I daresay I am. Orlando is a much finer fellow, I envy him, and by a cry of the maiden. Was it possible that his chance had come? He looked quickly at her face, followed the direction of her eyes, and saw the turkey-cock. He could not be mistaken: it certainly was not a bull. Yet, bird as he was, he knew the one weak point in Miss Dorian's character. He stood terrific, in ruffled plumes as the fretful porcupine, scratching the dust with stiffened wings, blushing ever more fiercely red about his chaotic countenance, and sounding notes of war, such as are heard when some apoplectic gentleman gulps thick soup at a railway station, and the bell clangs, and the light porters are hustled together. Here he broke off, and thought within "Say simple life, or Greek, Homeric, himself how he had envied his friend the heroic," said the prophet, whose voice chance of a fine deed and the favor of a grew louder with each epithet. Thomas fair lady. He thought that he would give smiled as he recognized the refining in- much for the opportunity of risking his fluence of the despised sex. He was ac- life. As they talked, they had strolled quiring the habit of smiling sadly. He towards the farmyard, and the young took part in the common occupations, but man's gloomy thoughts were interrupted often moved away into solitude. Sometimes he was discontented among the eager crowd, and having left them, was more discontented still. He hovered on the borders, hearing a little and imagining much, half actor, half spectator, as comfortable as a hypochondriac jammed in a draughty doorway. One eye observes the sweet, treacherous moonlight without, the other a warm, wide sofa within, but the draught on the neck is undeniable. So was Thomas dissatisfied with the world and with himself, as he interpreted the words and actions around him according to his theory of the situation, his tale of the hero who saved the lovely woman from the water. So, too, it happened that when Miss Dorian, who preserved a becoming moderation even in this new life, came, as she often did, to ask his advice about some book or some subject for the pencil, he was infinitely touched by so much thoughtfulness and courtesy, and made great efforts not to damp her joy. At her re "Don't turn," cried Jeanie; "he will fly at our backs; oh, pray go first." Thomas stepped forward, but there was bitterness in his soul. He had no stick; so he pushed his foot somewhat clumsily at his opponent, and said, "Get out!" The bird gave way a few inches, threatening war, Jeanie slipped quickly by, and the FE young man followed her. He could not run, but he was conscious that the fowl was close at his heels; he was therefore obliged to proceed in a crab-like manner, now and then pushing his foot out sideways at the pursuer, and well aware that the action was far from graceful. In this way he drew near to the farmyard gate, and was aware of Jo shaking on the top bar, and stifling her laughter at the risk of her life. Had that turkey been a bull, Thomas had rent him with his bare hands. However, he was only a turkey. Miss Jeanie, when on the safe side of the gate, was ashamed of her fears, and inclined to be angry with Jo for laughing at her defender. Indeed so vexed was she, that she straightway remembered that music was too important a thing to be neglected, and marched off her youngest sister to the piano. Thomas, as he lay under a tree and stared at his book, was, soon marching to marches which quickened unexpectedly, waltzing to tunes which whirled him in all sorts of circles, and polking to others which, breaking off suddenly, left him with one leg in the air. He had a sensitive ear, which rebelled against Jo's playing, and he wondered at the virtue which kept Miss Dorian near the instrument. At last the music came to an end, and the musician leapt through the window like an indiarubber ball, and vanished in the shrubbery. Thomas turned to look at the house, but her sister did not follow her. Then he fixed his eye sternly on his book, and made up his mind to become absorbed in constitutional history. After some time he found himself repeating with a frown the word "Witanagemot, and wondering whether his hostess looked better by daylight or candle-light. Another half-hour had gone, when he awoke to the fact that he had not turned a page. A minute insect was busily surveying the word "Witanagemot," which still stared the reader in the face; but the reader's thoughts had wandered thence to the House of Lords, thence to the Eastern question, thence by an easy transition to the farmyard. If but for one short hour that bird had been a bull! When Thomas bad closed his book in despair, he saw that the sun was already low in the sky. From the new order of things dinner had disappeared, and supper, a charming institution in the country in summer, had taken its place. It was growing late. The young man was turning towards the house when he felt a light fluttering touch on his arm, and looking Mr. "Orlando!" cried he, and again the governess jumped. "He came," she went on trembling and in a great hurry-"he came, and I was sitting behind the copper-beech, and said something about it's being all ready, and having brought the boat to the steps, and-" "But why did you say that?" "I didn't say anything. I couldn't think what to say till afterwards. I did say 'Ahem!' but they didn't hear me." They! Who?" 66 66 "Why, Mr. Orlando and Jeanie Miss Dorian," said Miss Tubb, mildly exasperated. "Orlando and Miss Dorian!" repeated Thomas, with a sensation of sinking. "Yes. He said that the boat was ready; and she asked if something was safe; and he only laughed, and then she said that she was not afraid with him.” "She was not afraid with him!" echoed Thomas again. "Yes; and I think they are just going. And it is so late for the water; and I am so frightened: though of course it is nothing; and I hope you will excuse me." Thomas made no answer. An awful suspicion was taking shape in his mind. Was this to be the end of the romance? What might not his wild friend attempt? Was he playing the barbaric Norseman or the Homeric hero? Would he snatch a maiden from the hearth? And she had said that she was not afraid with him. With himself she had trembled before a turkey-cock. Trifles light as air came thick upon him, as he assured Miss Tubb that it was nothing and his heart beat quick as he darted to the landing-place. He was too late, and he saw them travelling down the : stream. He shouted, and Orlando, as he | and Thomas felt a cold wave on his back, answered, seemed to quicken his stroke. as she righted herself with a convulsive He looked for the Dorians' gig, but it was effort below. Clear above the rush of the not in its place. He was sure that he had divined the truth. It was the necessary end of the story. He trusted his fancy as an inspiration. As he stared down the river, Mr. Dorian came gliding in his boat from above. "Come in," cried the elderly athlete, cheerily; "take the other sculls and get an appetite for supper." "All right; quick; down stream!" cried Thomas, as he stepped in. With a great effort he kept his awful suspicion to himself. He would spare this new Lord Ullin as long as possible. "Orlando is just ahead," he said; "let us try to catch him-just for fun, know." you "You are hurrying the stroke," said Mr. Dorian, who prided himself on his Oxford swing. The younger oarsman was sculling his strongest with his head over his left shoulder. Quicker!" he cried, "or we shall be shut out of locks." "Steady," said Mr. Dorian, making gallant efforts as became his character of athlete, and growing hot with the ardor of the race. They were flying along, when Thomas gave a sudden cry and stopped in amazement. "What is it?" gasped the veteran, as his sculls rattled against his friend's. rapids rang the inextinguishable laughter of Orlando. Thomas was dumb with amazement. Close beside him was the classic robber resting harmless on his sculls, and the hapless maiden was radiant with excitement. 16 "Oh, papa," she said, "how could you be so rash?"" "Dear me! what are you doing here?" asked her father, surprised. what "But why did you stop? I mean, did you do it for?" asked Thomas. "For fun," said Orlando; 66 we have been discussing it for the last week." Thomas said no more.. He was silent while they went through locks, and even when the veteran spoke of supper. He sculled mechanically, and wondered why his life was a tissue of delusive excitements, and why, if the world of romance was a fool's paradise, it was always his lot to be the fool. "Wrong, as usual," he muttered, as he tied up the boat, and as his eye caught the flutter of a gown he added, "Thank heaven." It was clear that the tale must find some other end. CHAPTER IV. "For 'tis a question left us yet to prove, "Look here," said the young hero, as they went towards the bath-house; "I must go away to-day." "They are going down the weir stream." Mr. Dorian felt a glow. Wealth was a Whether love lead fortune, or else fortune love." little thing; the responsibility of the fa- THE impressionable Thomas did not ther of a family was naught: all his youth sleep well after the shooting of the weir. rose from the depths of his being, and He was abroad early, saw the mist rise flashed from his lips in the words, "If he slowly from the river, and felt the chill air shoots the weir we will, too. Come on.' ." of dawn. As he walked briskly towards Thomas replied by a stroke, and the the house, Orlando stepped through a winboat leapt forward. He saw that it was dow with a great towel flung across his their only chance of hindering this folly. shoulder, seized him and carried him off The runaway match must be stopped, for a dip. even if it spoiled the story. On flew the boat, and crossing the end of the lockcut, swept through the gathering shadows towards the rapids. They had gained on the fugitives, and Thomas, looking round, could see Miss Jeanie sitting upright and guiding the boat, steadily to the open part of the weir. In an instant it flashed from his sight. "Sit firm," said he, in a low voice. As he spoke, he felt an unexpected current catch the boat and sweep it towards the stakes. He rowed fiercely with his right hand, and wrenched the bows round to the open space. They were clear of the woodwork, but the rushing stream hurled them on before their craft was straight. She seemed to pause on the brink, then jumped like a horse; "Go away?" echoed Thomas, blankly. "You can stay, of course, "said the other, laughing. "But why do you go?" "The complicated nineteenth century has intruded on me. My mother has sent for me." "And you don't much mind going?" asked Thomas, with hesitation. 66 Why should I mind?" asked his friend, with a curious emphasis, as he pulled off his flannel shirt. Thomas sat meditating, with his mouth open and a boot in his hand. Orlando laughed aloud, drew himself up, stretched his shapely arms above his head, leaped like a deer, and flashed | ously annoyed. He was unable to see the like Leander into the cool stream. After humor of this schoolboy trick. It was a few minutes he was back again, brilliant, embarrassing to be left when the hero had glowing, and joyous, shaking the drops gone out of the story. The romance was from his close-cropped curls. Thomas to end, as some romances do, with a womwas sorely puzzled. Certainly this strayed an's sorrow and patience; and there was athlete belonged to a time when romance clearly no place for him. He humbly · was not. This creature, shouting, singing asked pardon of Miss Dorian, and promand laughing in the fresh sunlight, was no ised to go away by train. He went gloomlover just summoned from the side of his ily into the house and sat down to Bradmistress. And yet, how pull a girl out of shaw; but as he found himself, after half the water and not love her? He began to an hour's study, earnestly endeavoring to feel very sorry for Miss Jeanie, across reach the Isle of Man, he abandoned the whose quiet life this young viking had book and turned to packing. Having gleamed with his blue eyes and his care- packed till he felt silly, he left the task to less heart. "Poor child," he murmured the footman, and went out to have a last to himself again and again, surprised at look at the place. There was nobody the tenderness of his own pity. He could about. Mr. Dorian had gone to town for sympathize with her: there was a melan- the day. Miss Tubb was doing the elecholy pleasure in the thought. At break- gant English hour with the Misses Letitia fast he was very uncomfortable. When and Josephine. Play-time was over, and his friend announced his approaching de- all the vitality of the place seemed to have parture, he dared not raise his eyes, and gone with that frank young creature, who yet he seemed to see the trouble in a was far down the stream poised on exsweet young face. As he was staring at tended sculls, and laughing to himself. his plate and feeling very hot, he heard her speaking in her usual tone and saying how sorry she was. He was lost in wonder at her modesty and self-control. He could not help looking at her, and he hoped that his glance expressed sympathy without giving offence; but she only thought that he wanted his tea. "Must you go, too?" she asked, as she handed his cup. Thomas went round the lawn and through the shrubberies, visited the stable, where he cast an unfavorable glance at the ponies—and the farm, where he chucked a stone at the turkey-cock. Thence he sauntered into the country lane, and, strolling aimlessly onward, entered the path which leads up to the easy-sloping downs. The path passes through a wood of beech-trees, which for the most part "No. Yes. I mean I think I had bet- meet above it. On the left these trees are ter go with Orlando." "We shall be sorry to lose you both at once," said Mr. Dorian, looking curiously at the young man. a mere belt, and Thomas stopped again and again to look with wonder on visions of sweet country framed in leaves. In some places the land sloped gently down"I am afraid I should not be much good ward from the wood, and was heavy with alone. I mean I shall be better away," upright wheat or barley glancing in the and he gave an appealing look to Miss sun like a polished silver floor; in others Jeanie. But that lady was inspecting the it fell sharply away, and the gazer saw the bottom of her cup with great earnestness. country below like another world in which It was no part of her duty as hostess to were no unquiet thoughts and longings. press young men to stay. So breakfast Sunlight lay broad and deep on all the passed with less than the usual gaiety, land, and far away the blue-grey earth and and Orlando, having exhorted Mr. Dorian grey-blue sky melted together as thought to try a pair of clubs, and advised Miss and dream. Thomas sighed as he saw Tubb and her pupils to devote their whole below him the smoke rising straight from minds to their shoulders, entered his boat. the hidden house. He was in a very senMiss Dorian was standing on the highest sitive mood, and some deep feeling of of the old steps with her crisp gown gath-sympathy was stirred within him as he ered carefully about her. "Thank you a thousand times," he said, as he pushed off, "for the most splendid fun." As he swung out into the stream, Thomas came running from the house." "Hi!" cried he; "I am going with you." "No you are not," said Orlando, unable to row for laughter. Thomas was seri watched the brown path quiver with light and shade. He saw the sunlight tangled in the beech-leaves, and started as a long shaft slipped through and touched his upturned face. He was alone, and yet about him was a presence and a power. He passed the old gate, which hung idle on its rusty hinges, and came out upon the |