"Very true. Poor thing, so she is! But as for the other, she's not an Eastworld lady yet, Mrs Hunt, though maybe we shall see her one some of these days. It's best not to name names. Who's in that window?" in a loud voice. "Anybody there?”

No voice responding, she resumed her confidential whisper.

"It's best to be cautious when one can't see round the room. I got into such a pucker once through neglecting that, it has been a lesson to me ever since. 'Melia and I were staying with Jane Bond. Jane is our father's cousin, you know, on the English side, so of course we keep up the connection. Well, you know Jane's house. It's all queer twists and corners and holes in the wall. One never feels safe in it, at least I'm sure I never do, now. This was the story. One day when we had been there about a week, I went into the parlour, and seeing, as I thought, only ’Melia sitting by the table; "Melia,' says I, 'I do think that beard of Jane's is growing. It's as big as many a lad's that calls for shaving water.' And 'Melia she gave such a cough, and looked at me, and there was Jane in the window! Well, you know, I might have said worse. And very thankful I felt I hadn't gone on longer. But, for all that, I've never been asked there since, although Jane made believe she didn't mind, and we got over it as well as we could at the time. But it has just made me careful ever since, how I name names in a room one can't see all round at once. Who's there?" diving her head forward beyond the curtain, and listening.

As the silence was unbroken, the other sister took up the narrative.

"Jane has never been quite the same to us since. She thinks we don't observe, but for all she sends us bits of letters, and a goose at Christmas, there's a difference. It might have been fancy, but we thought we had never eaten a goose as hard as we got last year. Perhaps there won't be one at all this. That would be a fine story. We have had our regular goose every Christmas these ten years. But no doubt it was a foolish thing of Lyddy to do, and she's sensible of it. The last time we asked Jane here, she took the invitation very high, and showed she had no will to come."

"People often pay dear for mistakes, especially from

imprudence," said Mrs Hunt, sententiously.

"One can't

be careful enough. But there's nobody here for certain to-night, Miss Lydia, and I think you might just

"Oh dear- dear dear me! That is magnificent! Where is it? Where is it gone?" cried Miss Lyddy, straining her neck after the first rocket. "How it made me jump! So that was the beginning, I suppose. But they'll surely not be all like that. No, no; the rest are further off, that's right. Well, I—that was perfectly—oh, Mrs Hunt, don't lose the sight! There they are! There they go! See, see! One after another! 'Melia, look! My certy! I'm thankful I'm safe indoors! What if any one should be killed! But the doctor's here, that's a comfort. There he is, too! There they all are, as plain as a pikestaff! Maria's white frock as blue as blue can be in that queer light. Oh, Mrs Hunt, do you think it's safe? Do you not think the girls would be better in the house, now that it's all begun? We can call to them, you know. I declare, I think we ought."

Mrs Hunt, however, arrested her hand.

"There's no fear, Miss Lydia; their father is with them. Make your mind easy, Mr Smith will take good care that nothing happens. Now you must really tell me what it was about Mr Smith and

"Whew! That was a dandy! That was a-how it made me jump! Good gracious, 'Melia, I'm all in a tremble! What do they have them so near the house for?" cried the excitable creature, as a Roman candle shot off within, as she averred, a yard of her elbow. "If I had only brought my smelling-bottle; but the last time it was used we couldn't get the cork out. What a pity it should be left behind! If any one did, you know- This really isWhew! There's another! I'm sure I

"Don't be alarmed, Lyddy," said the calmer 'Melia, whose voice was only a little tremulous; "it's startling, but not dangerous, I'm told. Look at those faces under the tree. There's old Butts and his Jemima, as pleased as possible. Poor Jemima was sadly afraid she would have to give it up to-night, her cough has been so troublesome. Such nights as she has, poor soul! But there she stands, and seems to have forgotten all about it. I

shall shake my finger at her, though. She ought to come in."

No notice was taken of the finger, which was, in fact, quite invisible to the threatened Jemima.

"Ah! she'll pay for it by-and-by," said 'Melia, with a sense of justice. "Foolish thing! she's coughing at this moment. Well, I've done all I could; she must stand on her own feet; the blame's not mine. Bless me! who is that wild-looking-why, it's our Harry! I do declare I might have guessed till midsummer! Who would have thought of Harry?"

"And there's Bullett, like a great cannibal king!" cried Lyddy, with rather a happy hit. "One would hardly know Bullett without his blue apron, if it weren't for

Oh, look, he's holding up little Tommy, poor little soul! I didn't know Tommy was here to-night. I must really find them out afterwards. I suppose Bullett supplied the meat, 'Melia?"

"And there's Mr Smith and Maria—and the rest," added Mrs Hunt, whose eyes had all this time been wandering among the different groups in search of them. What was Jemima, or Bullett, or any one else to her, compared with these two great orbs in her heavens? She had not listened to a word of the old ladies' exclamations. "There

they all are ! Close at hand, now, Miss Lydia, under the great oak. There now, at your left-don't you see them, the whole party?"

"I see them; I see them now, Mrs Hunt. Dear me! how strange they do look! Maria quite picturesque. Which are the rest? Ah! there's Helen Tolleton, graceful creature! She's holding the stick. What for, I wonder? Did you ever- -she was as close to it as I am to you!

Helen had held the rocket for Mr Smith to fire; and when the display was over, she walked with him through the shrubbery back to the house. Thus much she permitted him. By her contrivance Maria had by far the greater share of his attentions. He himself did not discover this. Lily did, and it amused her. Of the others, those most interested noted it with inward rapture, the rest were otherwise engrossed.

Maria Hunt was not supposed to be a captivating girl. All suspicion, however, was diverted from the Tolletons.

Mrs Hunt took Helen under her wing, and hoped she had not got her pretty dress spoilt; while the doctor said it was more important that she had not got her pretty throat

sore.

For his part he expected to call at every house next day, after such a mad escapade. He was in such good humour, that he absolutely talked "shop."

Mr Smith had been easily managed. He was thinking chiefly of his guests and their enjoyment; a little of Miss Tolleton, and not at all of Miss Hunt. How she was so

often by his side, it had not occurred to She was too insignificant.

him to wonder.

But he had wondered a little-he had felt a little hurt with Helen. She appeared to be keeping out of his way. Could he have offended her? She had never been more gracious, more winning, than when they sat together in the dark corner, while the magic-lantern was going on. He had reckoned on her walking with him, and she had sped off with Miss Clay.

He had asked her to come and inspect some arrangement, and she had come, but Miss Clay was with her. Then, when he wanted some one to hold his rocket, she had stepped forward, as the rest hung back. He had thanked her gravely, and she had walked home by his side. kept him in a perpetual ferment.

She

The entertainment, however, was drawing to a close. He must clear his mind from all personal thoughts. None must feel neglected or overlooked.

They were summoned to collect around the front door. The ladies assembled inside the hall, and Mr Rodney stepped forward to deliver the short address which he had prepared. It was not much of an address, but it did what was wanted. It sobered, softened the exhilarated party; and even those in whose hearts it found no ready echo, listened with respectful toleration. "Rodney, he's a good chap, and a pity he warn't rector." And then they cheered loudly, and began to move slowly off in groups, towards the village.

Little Tommy had fallen asleep, and Jemima's cough made itself heard as they went by. The whole air was impregnated with tobacco. The sides of the walks were sadly injured.

Mr Smith, however, stood with uncovered head, and serene brow, happy in the happiness he had given; nor would he allow the hall-door to be closed until the last step retreated down the avenue.

The supper which Mrs Hunt had so cleverly discovered was then announced; and the party, disencumbered of their wraps, and with smoothed hair and glowing cheeks, adjourned to the other room.

One other discovery Mrs Hunt had made. She could not have slept in her bed that night otherwise. She had forced from Miss Lyddy's lips the name of the Lady who was spoken of as the possible mistress of the Hill.

CHAPTER XV.

THE END OF THE FEAST.

"MAY I sit by you?" said Helen to Miss Clay, as the party arranged themselves round the supper-table.

There had been no formal going in-every one went as they chose. Miss Clay had taken a seat about the middle of the table, exactly underneath the chandelier. A more brilliant-looking creature than Helen Tolleton, as she emerged from the doorway, and took the chair beside her in this centre of light and radiance, could hardly have been imagined. Her pale face was lit up by the excitement and the evening air. She had come forth from her chrysalis state of obscurity and retirement, and spread her wingsthe gay, triumphant butterfly.

Who but she could have taken the scarlet bouquet from her place, and inserted it so suddenly, so coquettishly, among her dark coils? Who but she kept up that fire of fun and repartee with old Bartlett the banker; turned the wretched head of the red-haired clerk; and made even the gentle curate confide afterwards in the safe, true, loving, wifely ear, which received all his secrets, that he had admired, though he could not approve?

Mr Smith was even startled.

He broke off twice in the middle of his conversation with