had such a treat in my life; for we lived in a small house in a small street, looking out on the dead wall of a great brewery, where my father was clerk. Bright and gladsome, like a cluster of Sir Joshua's cherubs, were the faces that greeted me at the lodge gate of Compton Friars. Urith, a girl of eighteen, was the eldest of the group. Then came Helen and Marianne, girls of most sweet and engaging aspect, pliant and graceful as sweet-peas; two younger still, and still prettier-Eva, a perfect Hebe, with fair, flowing hair and starry eyes, and Blanche, who had something serious and heavenly in her face, as if she were listening to the whispers of angels. Thus, the younger they were, the prettier they were (for Urith was not pretty). Lastly, little Edwin, who truly might be called Edwy the Fair. Soon we were all trooping towards the house, friends at first sight, one carrying my bag, another my umbrella, Edwy walking backwards before me, as if I had been the Queen. Presently he ran off to open a gate. "Thank you, master Neddy," said Eva, as we passed. "Neddy's a donkey, which I am not," said he, giving her a playful blow, and then running off, while she ran after him. At the same moment something dark and swift flew noiselessly past, almost brushing my face. I said, starting, "Oh! what is that?" 'Only a bat," said Marianne, laughing. "Did not you see Ariel on his back? I suppose he was too fine for mortal sight. Bats are curious creatures-useful toothey live entirely on gnats and other night-insects." And she hummed "On a bat's back do I fly." It was almost too dark to see the house when we approached it, but the streaming yellow lights from one range of windows, and the ruddy fire-light from another, while a flickering gleam from story to story showed that some one was coming down stairs, had an inexpressibly pleasing effect on the imagination. In a minute or two Mrs. Hartlepool was kissing me in the hall, and saying cheerfully, "Why, Bessy, you are your mother all over, though you have blue eyes and light hair. Welcome, my dear, to Compton Friars." Oh, what a genial, large-hearted woman she was!—the light of the house, the blessing of the neighborhood. At that time she was only in middle life; tall, comely, benign, with fine teeth and a most delightful smile-a lady every inch, yet not disdaining the meanest offices, if need were, for the sick-equal to every household emergency, knowing how to direct everything to be done, because she knew how to do it; fertile in resources; admirable for presence of mind; pervading the whole establishment with her healthful influence. The Hartlepools were not rich. Nor did they enter into county society, though the best county families visited and valued them, for the sake of something intrinsic, seemingly, that they could not help recognizing. Mr. Hartlepool's moderate means resulted from close application to business. That his family might enjoy the benefits of a country life, he was content to forego much of their society. It was his wife's charge to exercise a wise economy and give her children a good home training. County balls and large dinner-parties found no place in their scheme, though they loved plain hospitality. "Let me show you your room, Miss Lyon," said Urith, running up some wide, shallow stairs covered with crimson drugget. "Don't call me Miss Lyon, please call me Bessy." "I will, if you will call me Urith. This is your room." And what a dear little room it was! Very, very small-one of the so-called "cells "—and very old and quaint; with uneven floor and creaking door and antiquated furniture; but still there was an aroma—) -Marianne would have said from the apple-room beneath-but, in short, it was Compton Friars. Afterwards, when I saw it by daylight, from without, I perceived that it projected several feet into mid-air, propped on a couple of stout pillars; so that I could not help likening it to the Prophet's "chamber on the wall;" and truly the plenishing was much the same-a bed, a stool, a table, and a candlestick. In addition, however, I found a most comfortable chintz-covered chair, a mirror that might have been coeval with Anne Boleyn, and a book-shelf, which I suppose the prophet had not. I ran over the titles of the books, before I left the room, and found some enticing ones among them. The first evening was spent in frank, unlimited chat, truly refreshing and recreating. It was entirely female talk, for Mr. Hartlepool and his eldest son, Basil, were not to come down from London till the end of the week. By bedtime we seemed to know each other as well as if we had been long acquainted -how soon one understands one's congeners! Their conversation refreshes instead of fatiguing. When, at bed-time, I tried to lock my door, I found the key turned round like a windmill. I went to the casement and peeped behind the white curtain. An orchard of cherry and apple trees lay beneath me, silvered in fitful moonlight. All at once I heard a plaintive cry that terrified me. I heard it again and again! Hastening to Urith's room, I tapped for admittance and said, "Oh, do you know I think somebody is being murdered in the orchard." She listened for a moment, and then said laughing, "Oh, it is only the old white owl; but will you come and sleep with me if you are frightened?" I declined with thanks, for I was ashamed of my silly fears, and wished I had not betrayed them. The next two days I was made acquainted with some of the sylvan beauties of the neighborhood, now in the glory of autumnal coloring; and in the evening we read aloud the latter part of the Huntingdon Peerage, while Mrs. Hartlepool filled in the grounding of a chairback representing "Lapdog and lambkin with black staring eyes, and parrot with twin cherries in its beak," devolving on Eva and Blanche the duty of filling her needles. On Friday and Saturday, as two blithe young cousins, familiarly called Tom and Phil, were expected, in addition to Mr. Hartlepool and his eldest son, great preparations were made for them in the culinary department, in which all more or less assisted. While, with much complacence, I was frothing cream with a whisk, entered to us Mrs. Hartlepool with a letter in her hand. "Your papa is going to bring down Mr. Liddell." "Oh!!"-a prolonged, general groan of dissatisfaction. "Where are we to put him, when the house will be so full already?" "Who is to entertain him? Bessy, we'll make him over to you-you shall take him off our hands. "Much obliged," said I, laughing. "What is the matter with him?" "He is an old crony of papa's-a regular old bachelor." "Nonsense, no such thing, Bessy," said Mrs. Hartlepool. "He is in the prime of life." "O mamma! Fifty, if a day!" "My dear, you are talking of what you know nothing about. You are no judge of age. Don't be set against him, Bessy. These children know nothing of him but by hearsay-they will like him very much when they see him. I daresay they will all be scheming to sit next to him before he goes." "What could make papa think of bringing him?" "What but natural kindness to an old friend whom he is going to lose sight of for a long time, even if he ever sees him again? I expect you all to be on your best behavior to Mr. Liddell, and make much of him. He is a sensible and estimable man, and he is going out to Demerara, so this is the last opportunity we shall have of showing him attention." There was plenty of laughing about this Mr. Liddell, who was expected to spoil everything and be a complete wet blanket. The arrival of the three youths-for they were mere lads, though they considered themselves young men-gave us pleasanter things to think about. Mr. Philip Augustus Meggot was a schoolboy of the upper form, soon to prepare for Oxford. Mr. Thomas Hartlepool was a midshipman: the first was tall and lank, the second stout and broad: both had plenty of fun in them. Mr. Basil Hartlepool was extremely gentlemanlike and quiet-his destination was India. I now subsided into a bystander, and had little to do but observe and listen, which was quite sufficiently amusing. Oh the droll things said, that I can no more recall than that summer's flies and flowerblossoms! Mr. Meggot had a dry way with him that was infinitely diverting. Mr. Tom Hartlepool (I may as well call him Tom like every one else) was never at a loss for repartee or retort. I think he had the most native wit of the two, though he may have been behind the other in Greek and Latin. Mr. Basil seemed to have come home chiefly to be amused, and contented himself with listening and laughing. All these young people were on the best possible terms, without a shadow of flirtation: they might have passed for brothers and sisters. When the time for the stage, that left London at four o'clock, drew near, it was dusk, almost dark; but the windowshutters were left open and the curtains undrawn, because Mr. Hartlepool loved to see the blaze of firelight stream out to welcome him. Urith presently left the fireside circle and began to play a lively tune on the piano-the other young people sprang up to dance! Mrs. Hartlepool and I sat enjoying the lively, pretty scene. Tom danced like a sailor, with more vigor than elegance. Meggot and Marianne moved with perfect grace reminding me of the couple at the top of Hogarth's Country Dance, a print or which I had noticed on a folding screen. Suddenly I became aware that other eyes were looking on-eyes that, from outside the window, momentarily rested on meand with indifference. I started a little, and saw another pair of eyes, shining with good-humored mirth, that I knew must be Mr. Hartlepool's. At the same instant Mrs. Hartlepool cried, "There's your father!"-The music and dancing abruptly ceased, and the children, crying "Papa! papa!" flew to open the window. A sudden blast of cold fresh air rushed in, as a tall, burly man with short curly black hair and ruddy face stepped in among them, and a general welcoming ensued, which Mr. Liddell, a little aloof, seemed to witness with amusement. He too had a kind though less demonstrative reception the window was closed, and soon we were all seated at a substantial meat-tea. I am quite sure the girls had plotted to seat me near Mr. Liddell; but they did not succeed; and Helen, promoted to that honor, gave me such a look across the table, that I could hardly keep my countenance. It was a very merry meal-I remember there was some fun made about Sally Lunn, who, Mr. Liddell said, must have been the Wellington of pastry-cooks, and that she deserved a statue raised to her memory. Marianne immediately said: "A pie-crust statue, stuffed with mincemeat, with a currant for each eye. Suppose we open a subscription for it-I'll be the treasurer!” "No, no, I'll be the treasurer-you'll be running away with the public money!" Later in the evening, when all were very lively, a renewal of the interrupted dance was proposed; and as I knew myself to be a useful player though a homely one, I offered to play that Urith might dance, which she gladly did. Mr. Hartlepool stood before the fire, looking at the blooming young people with fatherly pleasure, and his wife looked equally happy. They were, at that time, a family untamed by sorrow or misfortune, unthinned by death. I thought of it as I played, and wondered what their future would be. Presently Mr. Liddell came and stood soberly beside me. In a pause at the end of the quadrille, as he continued to stand beside me, I said, for want of something better to say, "Don't you dance, sir?" He smiled pleasantly enough, and said that he had done nothing so vivacious for a very long time, but that he would if I would be his partner. I shook my head and said I never danced; and then we had a little chat that was rather agreeable than otherwise, till Tom clapped his hands and cried, "Music! music!" CHAPTER II. A DEED WITHOUT A NAME. I heard in former years! Though I was only twenty-three, I know very well that those impertinent youngsters thought me on the borders of old-maidism, and took liberties accordingly, such as impertinent youngsters will take with their elders and betters. I did not mind it, of course; it was part of the fun of the game. At bedtime I was shut up in my chamber on the wall, and musing a little before I undressed, when there was a tapping at the door, and it was gently shoved open (thereby displacing a chair set against it) by Helen and Marianne, who first put in their smiling faces and then came in altogether, closing the door behind them. "Oh, Bessy dear! will you grant us such a very, very great favor?" talking with him on mannish subjects, while I securely brought up the rear with two of the girls. All at once the hillpath narrowed and grew steeper; I found we were walking in single file. When the path brought us to a turfy table-land, I saw Mr. Hartlepool between his wife and Urith; looking round, I saw the younger girls chasing their little dog back towards the house; and, before they returned, panting and laughing, Mr. Liddell was walking beside me and sedately praising the scenery. I could not help feeling amused when there was no obvious cause for amusement, and was afraid I must seem very easily set smiling, but it was not my fault. In fact, our dialogue was soon grave enough, for Mr. Liddell mentioned his intended voyage to Demerara, and his reluctance to leave his country and all his friends. Before long, we joined the party in advance, and the talk became general. mon. We went to church twice, and in the evening Mr. Hartlepool read us a serAfterwards there was much pleasant conversation. Next morning, Basil Hartlepool and Mr. Liddell returned to London, while Mr. Hartlepool remained a day longer, and the cousins went out rabbit-shooting. There was some nice glee-singing in the evening. "Yes, to be sure. What is it?" "We always take a walk after church. It is one of papa's Sunday treats, which he would not miss on any account. He will walk with mamma. Poor Urith will have to walk with Mr. Liddell unless you do-" "Why not poor Helen or Marianne?" me was pushed under my door, which I said I, laughing. "Oh, that's not to be thought of," cried Helen, eagerly, "and besides, you have said you would, so you must!" "No such thing-" The morning post came in while we were yet in our bedrooms. A letter for picked up in some surprise and anxiety, lest it should be to summon me home. It had the London postmark, sure enough; but instead of being from either my father or my mother, it was signed William Ger "You did! you said 'Yes, to be sure;' maine Liddell ! so that's quite enough—" And away they flew, without giving me time for a stronger protest. I could not help laughing; but it seemed quite unlikely that Mr. Liddell would trouble me with his attention. He was certain to walk beside Urith, or Mr. and Mrs. Hartlepool, unless he started off somewhere with the young men. Mr. Liddell, however, was not a good walker, nor, seemingly, fond of striplings; 30 he stuck to the side of Mr. Hartlepool, It took away my breath!-it was an offer of marriage! It apologized for the abruptness and incoherence, which the writer's approaching departure must excuse--but said that an indelible impression had been made on him by the exquisite frankness and simplicity of my very first address to him-"Don't you dance, sir?" The blood rushed to my face. I felt absolutely giddy. What could have given the man the boldness thus to address me? How hastily he must be accustomed to draw conclusions, if, on such a very short acquaintance, he could decide on my being a suitable companion for life! After the first surprise, my next impulse was to laugh. I looked at the letter again, and saw that he spoke of suitable provision for me, and all my own property settled on myself. "Ah, poor man," thought I, "he little guesses that I have not a penny-that we are as poor as can be." This consideration made me serious. I wondered how my parents would approve my rejection of this offer, which might appear to them too good to be refused, in spite of the odd manner in which it was made. But Demerara! that would entail a melancholy separation, the mere idea of which alarmed me. I was persuaded they would not hear of it. The breakfast bell clanged! Oh, what a guilty start I gave! I was not half dressed—my hair was rough; but I would not be too late for the world; for I felt as if everybody would guess what made me so. As I hurriedly made ready, it occurred to me that, however disagreeable it would be, I ought to make this extraordinary step of Mr. Liddell's known to Mr. and Mrs. Hartlepool; and I determined to screw my courage to the sticking point directly after breakfast. When I joined the family, I was received just as usual; but Tom and Phil looked inquiringly at me from head to foot, and then full in my face, as if something were amiss in my appearance. I took the first opportunity of a furtive look in the glass, but could see nothing out of its place. I suppose, however, there was some flurry in my manner, for Mrs. Hartlepool kindly said, "I am afraid you were hurried this morning, Bessy. There was no occasion." I said, "Oh no," very carelessly, and scalded my mouth with hot tea. After breakfast, all were dispersing to their several avocations; and Mrs. Hartlepool was leaving the room, when I said in a low voice, "Can I speak to you for a minute or two, please?" she, opening the door of a little room appropriated to her special use. Mr. Hartlepool was there already, in his slippers, reading the newspaper. "Shall I send him away, my dear?" said Mrs. Hartlepool. "Oh, it does not much signify," said I, trying to speak carelessly, "only I've had a very extraordinary letter-” "A letter?" said Mr. Hartlepool with surprise, turning round and looking full at me. I colored up and put the letter into Mrs. Hartlepool's hands, saying, "Perhaps you can explain it." The moment Mrs. Hartlepool began to read it, I saw a very odd expression on her face. Mr. Hartlepool saw it too, and stretched out his hand for the letter without speaking, but she did not give it to him till she had read it quite through, and then she handed it to him, looking odder still. I never saw a man's face work in such an extraordinary manner as Mr. Hartlepool's the next moment. The two words "Those boys!" burst from him, and then he exploded with laughter. Mrs. Hartlepool began to laugh a little too, but as if ashamed of doing so and in pain for me. I stood motionless, my ideas in the greatest perplexity. "I'll flay them alive, the young rascals; I'll give them a famous good trouncing," cried Mr. Hartlepool. "To take such a liberty in my house, indeed! with a guest of my wife's! you did quite right to let me deal with them, Miss Lyon, instead of giving it them yourself"-patting me kindly on the shoulder as he went out. "I'll soon settle them. Hallo, you young rascals !—" "I thought it was best "-said I faintly, inly congratulating myself that no one guessed how I had been taken in. But motherly Mrs. Hartlepool had a woman's eye and a woman's intuition. She saw through me and gave me a little caress, though only saying lightly, "Young sauceboxes! too bad of them. But you took it very well, Bessy." And then I gave a little, forced laugh. A moment after, the door opened, and "Yes, certainly; come in here," said Mr. Hartlepool appeared, more like a |