On the present occasion he had got hold of the poor woman's little hoard, had absconded, and left her penniless just as the week's rent was due. She had, therefore, made so bold as to come and ask if Mrs. Temple would be so kind as to advance a little of Sarah's money. This, in the mouth of Sarah's mother, was a very long tale. But Kate listened with the gentlest untiring sympathy, for hers was a very tender heart, and a full half-hour and more was occupied in giving help and comfort. window in the waning light, his head erect, | ing afflicted with a wild son, who turned his very shirt-frill bristling with indigna- up every now and then to work mischief. tion. "A more quietly insolent personage I have never met. He has just told me I was a gossip!-me! - merely because I made a harmless jest. He is evidently an ill-tempered, crotchety fellow, and must be a great nuisance to his sisters - the Hon. Mrs. Harcourt and Lady Lorrimer - to whom I have written on his behalf. Nothing can be more charming than the letters I have from them, fully recognizing my care and attention, especially Mrs. Harcourt, who wanted to come and nurse him, only he forbade it in terms I should be sorry she heard. I have given him a great deal of time over and above professional attendance, and written, as I said, to his sisters and a cousin of his for him, and now he repays my well-meant attempts to amuse him by telling me I am a gossip!" "Very rude, indeed, doctor," said Mrs. Temple, sympathizingly. "However," he resumed, "I only wanted to tell you that he has been asking me when he will be fit to go to London, and I really cannot advise his leaving for another week. He has still symptoms about the head which indicate that he requires perfect rest freedom from excitement and London would just be the worst place for him. No medical man likes to see a case he has treated successfully going out of his hands, but I suspect if he chooses to go, nothing will stop him." 66 I suppose not," said Mrs. Temple. "I thought it right to warn you, as you might like to make some other arrangement, and I hope the letting of your rooms has been a help, a "A decided help, and I am very much obliged to you," returned Mrs. Temple, pleasantly. "That's all right. Now you must not keep me talking here when I have twenty places to go to. Do you know I met that young schemer Bryant walking with one of Miss Monitor's girls three miles off, on the Barmouth Road, near Jones's, the curate of Drystones. You know Jones? Well, near his house. I believe Jones's wife is Bryant's sister. It did not look well at all. I wouldn't trust Bryant farther than I could throw him. Good evening, Mrs. Temple; good evening." When at last she returned to the parlour she was not surprised to find the lamp lighted and Fanny seated behind the "cosy "-covered teapot; but she was surprised to find Sir Hugh Galbraith seated opposite to her, apparently quite at home, leaning easily across the table as he talked pleasantly with the pretty teamaker. Kate could not help being struck by the altered expression of his face since she had first beheld it. 66 It was softer, brighter, younger-looking, but while she paused, still holding the handle of the door, Sir Hugh rose quickly and came a step towards her. "I have ventured to ask admittance, although I have no letters to write, or rather to have written for me, and Miss Lee, as commanding in your absence, has graciously assented," he said. "Pray sit down," replied Mrs. Temple, moving to the place Fanny vacated for her. She was startled and disturbed at finding him there: but he was going away next week; it was really of no moment, this unexpected visit. Still Ford's letter and her own previous reflections ruffled her composure. She coloured and grew pale, and felt Galbraith's eyes fixed upon her, though she did not look up to see them. "You are not well, or something," he exclaimed. "I had better go away.' "No, Sir Hugh. I am happy to see you," a little stiffly. "But the light affects me after the dusky kitchen, where I have been listening to a tale of woe. Fanny dear, will you bring the shade?” Thus, effectually sheltered from observation, Kate quickly recovered herself and dispensed the tea, stretching out a hand Kate politely attended him to the door, white and delicate enough for a lady of and as she turned to join Fanny, was high degree, as Galbraith observed, when seized upon by Mrs. Mills, who carried she offered him a cup, which Fanny folher into the kitchen to speak to Sarah's lowed with a delightful slice of brown mother. She was in great tribulation, be- | bread and butter. "A tale of woe!" exclaimed that young | who, in her present state of spirits, was lady; "and in the kitchen? What took irrepressible. Dr. Slade there?" Mrs. Temple briefly explained. "I could not think what kept you, and Sir Hugh said he was sure the doctor was gone." “Öld humbug," observed Galbraith. "I thought he would never go. I had to tell him some unpleasant truths before he would stir." "Did you?" asked Fanny, who, in consequence of Tom's note, was in towering spirits. "What did he say?" "I know," said Mrs. Temple, slyly. "He was making his complaint." "Indeed!" exclaimed Galbraith, looking under the shade to get a glimpse of her smile." What did he say?" "That you are an ungrateful man; that he has devoted himself to your service, and that your return is to tell him he is a gossip." Galbraith smiled rather grimly. "Did he tell you what led up to it?" he asked. "No; he did not give the context." "He is not a bad sort of fellow," resumed Sir Hugh, "only spoiled by a country-town life and associating with women I mean old women." "And pray why should women, young or old, spoil him?" cried Fanny, aggressively. "I am sure we are much better than men in many ways." "I think you are," returned Galbraith, gravely; "still I don't think men or women the better for associating exclusively with each other. Military women, for instance, are not pleasant. Have you ever met any?" addressing Mrs. Temple. 66 No," said she, answering the real drift of the question; "I have never, of course, been in that sort of society, and have never reckoned any military ladies among my customers." Galbraith was silent until Mrs. Temple asked him if he would have any more tea. "If you please. I assure you no old woman likes tea better than I do. I have always found it the best drink when hard worked in India," he returned with a smile. "Some fellows have a great craving for beer, and I confess it is very tempting in a warm climate." "And are you strong enough to resist temptation?" asked Kate, carelessly, as she again held out her fair hand with his cup in her long taper fingers. "As far as eating and drinking go, yes; but I suppose all men have their assailable point." "Pray, what is yours?" asked Fanny, "I really cannot tell." "And I am sure, if you could, you are not bound to answer a decidedly impertinent question," said Mrs. Temple. "Fanny, you are rather too audacious." 66 "I knew you would scold me!" exclaimed Fanny; "but I could not help it." Galbraith laughed. Suppose you set me the example of confession, Miss Lee. What is your weak point?" "I could not possibly tell, like you; but for a different reason: all my points are weak; the puzzle is which is the weakest." "Then I suspect your friend has enough to do to keep you in order; irregular troops are generally mutinous." "I am the meekest creature in creation," cried Fanny. "The moment KMrs. Temple, I mean, even looks as if she was going to find fault with me I am ready to confess my sins and go down." "Only to rise up again the next instant not one bit the better for your penitence," said Mrs. Temple, walking over to the bell to ring for Mills. "That is exactly like irregular cavalry. They disperse the moment you charge them, and immediately gather on your flanks and harass your march," remarked Galbraith. "I cannot say Fanny has harassed my march," replied Mrs. Temple, smiling kindly at that delinquent as she placed the cups and saucers and plates neatly on the tray to save Mills trouble. "But I suppose it would be easier to keep a regiment of superior men - I mean educated men -in order, than the waifs and strays you pick up." "I assure you soldiers are not on the whole bad fellows; but as to educated men, I can't say I should like to command a regiment of straw-splitting, psalm-singing troopers who would probably dispute every order they didn't fancy." 66 "But you, you are an educated gentleman, and don't you think," rejoined Mrs. Temple, " that if you had undertaken certain work and certain service, you would be more obedient, more dutifully subordinate, than a poor, ignorant, half-blind creature who cannot see an inch beyond the narrow bounds of his own personal wants and pleasures, while you could grasp some idea of the general good?" "There is, of course, some truth in your view," said Galbraith, somewhat surprised; "but a regiment of gentlemen, in the first place, is out of the question. There have been, I grant, body-guards of kings who were all gentlemen, but from what we know of them they were not exactly models of sound discipline or serious behaviour." And in the heat of argument Sir Hugh rose, drew his chair near his antagonist, and clear of the obstacle presented to his vision by the lamp-shade. "There is your work," interrupted Fanny; "you know you promised that should be ready to-morrow :" "that" was a banner-screen of beads and silk, and each section of the pattern was to be begun, in order to save the fair purchaser from too severe exercise of brain. "Thank you, Fan," and Mrs. Temple proceeded quickly and diligently to thread needles and sew on beads, glancing up every now and then with eyes that sparkled and deepened, and laughed and grew dim with a slight suffusion if she was very earnest. Fanny placed a large work-basket before her as she took her seat opposite their guest, who felt wonderfully interested and at home. "Oh! the people you mean would not be called gentlemen now; they were only polished barbarians, incapable of self-control; any tolerably educated shopboy would conduct himself better than the de's and vons of those days," said Kate. "By Jove! men were better bred, more high-bred, then. I never heard that doubted before," cried Galbraith. "High-bred that is, they took off their hats and bowed more gracefully, and treated their inferiors with insolence none the less brutal, because it had a certain steely glitter, and were more ferocious about their honour; but they were mere dangerous, mischievous, unmanageable children compared to what men ought to be." "You are a formidable opponent, Mrs. Temple. Still I will not renounce my ancestors; they were gallant fellows, if they had a dash of brutality here and there. And you will grant that without a regard for honour they would have been still more brutal." "I do. Nor do I by any means undervalue the good that was in them, only it seems so stupid either to want to go back to them, or to stand still." "And what good does progress do? It only makes the lower classes dissatisfied and restless, and wanting to be as well off as their betters. There is nothing they don't aim at." "Oh, Sir Hugh Galbraith! you have concentrated the whole essence of liberalism in those words. That is exactly what progress does; it makes people strive to be better. I have no doubt the first of our British ancestors (if they were our ancestors) who suggested making garments instead of dyeing the human skin, was looked upon by the orthodox Druids as a dangerous innovator." "That has been said too often to be worthy of such an original thinker as you are," returned Galbraith, leaning forward and taking up some of the bright-coloured silks which lay between them." "It cannot be said too often," observed Mrs. Temple, stoutly, "for it contains the whole gist of the matter. I will trouble you for that skein of blue silk. Thank you." Their hands touched for a moment, and Galbraith felt an unreasonable, but decided, inclination to hold hers, just to keep her eyes and attention from being too much taken up with that confounded stitchery. "But," he resumed, "you cannot suppose men born to a certain position like to feel those of a lower sphere intruding upon them, and treading on their heels?" Step out then! Put a pace between you and them, and keep the wonderful start ahead that circumstance has given you," she returned with great animation. "You are too ferocious a democrat," said Galbraith, laughing; "and to look at you, who could believe you had ever been, even for a day, behind a counter? There!" he exclaimed, "I am the clumsiest fellow alive. I have made a horribly rude speech." "I quite absolve you," said Mrs. Temple, frankly, and looking at him with a sweet half-smile. "A counter has not hitherto been the best training-school to form a gentlewoman; but the days are rapidly passing when women could afford to be merely graceful ornaments. must in the future take our share of the burden and heat of the day. God grant us still something of charm and grace! would be hard lines for us both if you could not love us." We It "Not love you," repeated Galbraith almost unconsciously; he had hitherto been thinking the young widow rather too strong-minded-a description of character he utterly abhorred. "I imagine your ideal woman will seldom be realized, unless, indeed, in yourself." "Oh, dear me!" exclaimed Fanny, "I have run the needle into my finger, and it is so painful." Due commiseration being expressed, | hope you believe I am grateful for all the Fanny said she must put it in warm water, care you have bestowed upon me." and darted away. "Do not imagine I am such a narrow idiot," said Galbraith, drawing his chair a trifle closer, "as not to respect a man who fights his way up to fortune from a humble origin, but then he ought always to remember the origin." "Yes; you of the upper ten,'" said Mrs. Temple, smiling, while she hunted with her needle an erratic white bead round an inverted box-cover, "are decently inclined to recognize the merits of such a man when he has achieved success in the end, but you do your best to knock him on the head at the beginning." "How do you mean?" "By creating difficulties of all sorts. Mountains of barriers for him to climb over: barriers of ignorance it is unwise to educate the masses; barriers of caste -none but gentlemen must officer army or navy; barriers of opinion; social barriers oh, I talk too much! and I am sure so do you. Dr. Slade told me just now you were to be kept as quiet as possible and undisturbed; and here am I contradicting you most virulently. Do go away and read a sermon or something, or you will never be able to go to London next week." "Next week! Does that confounded old humbug say I am to go away next week? I intend nothing of the kind." "He said you wished to leave for town; so I warn you to give me due and proper notice, or I shall charge accordingly." Mrs. Temple glanced up as she spoke to see the effect of her words; but no answering smile was on his lip. He looked grave and stern, and was pulling his moustaches as if in deep thought. There was a moment's silence, and then Galbraith exclaimed, in his harshest tones, with an injured accent, "You never let one forget the shop." "It was the lodgings this time," said Mrs. Temple demurely. "I did not suppose you would mind." "Do you want me to go away?" asked Sir Hugh. "I can go to-morrow if you do." 66 Indeed, I do not. I have not bestowed any care upon you; Mills has, a little, and your servant a good deal." "The fact is," returned Galbraith, with a tinge of bitterness, "I have never had much care in my life, and I am, therefore, especially grateful when I find any, or fancy I have any." "Grateful people deserve to be cared for," said Kate, laying her pattern on the table and gravely regarding it. "And you have been very good to write my letters," continued Galbraith. " I never knew the luxury of a private secretary before, and as I believe the appetite grows with what it feeds upon,' I shall miss your assistance greatly. I never found my correspondence so easy as since you were good enough to write for me." "A private secretary would not be a serious addition to your suite," returned Mrs. Temple without looking up. "There are many intelligent, well-educated young men would be glad of such an appointment.” 66 "Pooh!" exclaimed Galbraith. 66 never thought of a man secretary." Indeed," said Mrs. Temple. "No; men are so unsympathetic and slow to comprehend." "I always thought so," replied Mrs. Temple frankly; "but I didn't think a man would." Sir Hugh's face cleared up as he looked at her, and laughed. "We are agreed then," he said; "and I don't think you put a much higher value on Slade than I do." "I do not know what your value is; I like him, because he has always been a friend to me from the first." "And that is how long?" asked Galbraith shrewdly. "Oh! if you want gossip you must apply to himself.” "I shall never put a question to him, you may be sure," said Galbraith gravely. "But I confess I should like to know how it happens that you are keeping a shop here. Nothing will ever persuade me that you are to the manner born."" "I am very glad you feel so much bet- "You are mistaken, Sir Hugh Galter. Pray suit yourself. I could not be braith"-he always fancied there was in a hurry to part with so good a tenant." an echo of defiance in the way she proGalbraith muttered something indis-nounced his name "my grandfather and tinct and deep. There was a few mo- great-grandfather, nay, so far as I know, ments' silence, and then Sir Hugh said all my ancestors if such a phrase may gravely, "I am quite aware what a nui- be permitted — were knights of the counsance an invalid inmate must be; and I ter. The best I can hope (with a smile indescribably sweet and arch) "is that they never gave short measure." "It's incredible!" said Galbraith solemnly. "Nevertheless true," she continued. "Don't allow your imagination to create a romance for my pretty partner and myself, though we are weird women, and keep a Berlin Bazaar." As she spoke Fanny entered. "It is all right now," she said. "Sir Hugh, if you ever run a needle into your finger, plunge it into hot water immediately, and you will find instantaneous relief." "I shall make a note of it," replied Galbraith; "and in the mean time must say good-night." "How fortunate you are," cried Fanny. "You are going to London next week and will go to the theatre, I suppose?" "I scarcely ever go to the theatre," said Galbraith, "but I imagine most young ladies like it." "I would give a great deal to see 'Reckoning with the Hostess,'" cried Fanny, unable to restrain herself. 66 Suppose we all meet at Charing Cross, and go together," exclaimed Galbraith, who felt convalescent and lively. "It would be perfectly delightful," said the volatile Fanny, while Kate, who felt keenly the absurdity of the proposition, hid her face in her hands while she laughed heartily. 66 "I must say good-night," repeated Sir Hugh, bowing formally. "I trust you will not be the worse for our argument," said Mrs. Temple, rising courteously. "I am not sure," he replied. "I shall tell you to-morrow." "Well, Kate," cried Fanny when he was gone, "has he proposed? I really thought he was on the verge of it when I ran the needle in my finger. It would be such fun." "Fanny, you are absolutely maddening! What can put such nonsense into your head? To tell you the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, I have permitted Sir Hugh Galbraith the honour of our acquaintance, simply because I wish him to feel, however appearances may be against me, that his cousin married a gentlewoman; for he will yet know who I am." "That sounds very grand and mysterious, Kate. I wish you could contrive to make him give you a proper allowance out of the estate. Well, there; I did not mean to make you look like a sibyl and a fury all in one!" "I am both indignant and disgusted, Fanny, because there is so much levity and vulgarity in what you say," cried Mrs. Temple warmly. "But we have something else to think of; read this"-and she drew forth Ford's letter, doubling it down at the passage adverting to herself, as having for sole confidant "a good-looking young vagabond connected with the press." "I suppose," cried Fanny, "that stupid conceited old duffer means Tom.” "I suppose so; but pray remember it is Hugh Galbraith who is represented as speaking. Now you say Tom is coming down on Saturday; it is most important he should not meet our tenant. I imagine Sir Hugh knows his name." 66 Oh yes, very likely; but Sir Hugh has never intruded on us on a Saturday, and we must try to keep them apart. How delightful it will be to see Tom and this is Thursday!" "Yes; I shall be very glad to have a talk with him. Have you written to him?" "To be sure I have." No more was said; and Mrs. Temple pondered long and deeply before she was successful in composing herself to sleep. What was she doing? was she acting fairly and honestly? was she quite safe in trusting to the spirit, half-defiant, halfmischievous, which seemed to have taken possession of her? Well, at any rate, it could do no harm. In a few days Hugh Galbraith would be removed out of the sphere of her influence, and nothing would remain of their transient acquaintance save the lesson she was so ambitious of teaching him, viz., that whatever her circumstances were, she was a gentlewoman, and that some excuse existed for Mr. Travers's weakness in making her his wife. CHAPTER XXI. HUGH GALBRAITH was a very English Englishman. In opinion, as in battle, he was inclined, even when beaten by all the rules of combat, to resist to death. His prejudices would have been rigid to absurdity but for a thin, nevertheless distinct, vein of common sense which streaked the trap-rock of his nature; while here and there, carefully hidden, as he thought, from all observers, and scarcely acknowledged to himself, were sundry softer places-"faults," as with unconscious technicality he would have termed them which sometimes troubled him with doubts and hesitations a consistently |