perhaps yet paler countenance, yet on which thought, not delicacy, had fixed its impress, adjusting, with even a woman's care, the folds of his companion's multifarious coverings, whenever they left the invalid too much exposed to the almost summer air.

"Lord Fairfort has quite made up his mind. He has written to me himself, and expressed the strongest desire to visit Afrel and Glendover. I meet them on the 29th. I fancy Frank will be in town before then."

Edgar had said so much about Afrel that his friends at Fairfort Park were determined, previously to previously to their coming up to town, which, from some whim of his Lordship's, they never did till late in the season, to visit this spot with him, who so vaunted it, for their guide. Of

course compliance was, on Edgar's part, de rigueur. He had not, it is true, wished to meet Miss Fairfort under such circumstances again so soon. Yet, after all, why need he be alarmed? had he not fully conquered? Why, he had worked most diligently, both for himself and for others, during the five months which had elapsed since he had last seen her; and he could say honestly that of late she had not entered into his daily thoughts save in the garb of a maiden, gentle, beautiful, and thankfully remembered. Was not his heart fully at peace? And, moreover, what choice was there? Absolutely none. "Bah!" said he, "we shall have the pleasantest time of it: and I will make Cooper go-Lord Fairfort has written that he shall be delighted to see any one I choose to bring; and I shall attend to the poor fellow the whole time. So, there

will be no danger-and I certainly shall be glad to see the dear girl again."

"One thing," Edgar continued to his companion, "we have made up our minds about-namely, that you are to be one of the party; so discussion is useless. You know you cannot resist bodily."

Cooper seemed almost gratified.

"You are all more than kind-and I will do, Edgar, what you wish! But I shall be a sad stumbling-block. Do not anticipate any enjoyment."

"Oh, but I do-and you shall enjoy also."

On the 28th of May, Pampesterra was leaning on Edgar's arm in Regent's Park, watching the bright glow of the setting sun.

"I shall not be away more than a week,” said the young man.

Not more than a week? Indeed! I

think, Edgar Huntingdon, that four more suns will see you not very distant from the spot on which you now are standing!

CHAPTER IX.

"Where rose the mountains, there for him were friends." Childe Harold.

As Edgar had anticipated, Frank came up to town, and accompanied him and Cooper on their journey. The rain fell in relentless torrents all the way, and, luctabile dictu, was still falling as, late in the evening, the travellers reached Afrel, where Lord Fairfort and his daughter had already arrived. As was natural, Edgar looked the portrait of bitter disappointment; the young lady was but little less dejected.

His Lordship

laughed, and read the paper.

Frank tried