self could not have given a better scowl than the one with which he saluted Philip."

"I am sure Philip gave it him back again," said Carry, who had seen wonders from her post of observation.

'Well, the danger is over for this time," said Helen, with another sigh. "But mind, Lily, while he is here, you never leave the hall-door open again."

CHAPTER XX.

BEND, STURDY ОАК!

Ir would have been difficult for Helen to say why she talked of the danger; or perhaps we ought to say, why she talked of it as being over.

Colonel Aytoun was no longer dangerous to her in the way of attraction, and if he attempted reproaches, would get as good as he gave.

If the danger lay in his mischief-making between her and Mr Smith, it was assuredly not over. He had escaped meeting him at Freelands, it is true, but he would meet him elsewhere-at Sauffrenden, perhaps; and then, if they were spoken about, it was very probable that he might find out everything. She little knew how unlikely it was that they should be spoken about at Sauffrenden.

But the truth was, Helen hardly knew what she was saying. The repulsion with which Colonel Aytoun's presence now inspired her was so great that she could scarcely bear it. The touch of his hand chilled her. To catch his eye made her shrink. She could not despise what she so much detested, but she did marvel that she could ever have admired such a man.

His person had grown older; and the savage temper which blandishments could hardly hide at any time, was now stamped upon his face.

His manner to herself, too, how shameful, how degrading! The mocking voice which had called her a valuable example, and the sneer which underlay the assertion that she had been kind to him.

It is a dreadful thing for a woman, with any womanly feeling, to see herself not respected; and there was not common respect, nor the commonest appearance of it, in Colonel Aytoun's manner.

When he grew angry he had taunted her. When his taunts apparently fell harmless, he had only grown more unscrupulous in making use of them.

It was very well for her to say, and with truth, to her father and sisters, that she had the best of it. It was a triumph she would fain have been spared. It was one of those victories in which the bloodshed is greatest on the conqueror's side.

In her earlier days, the days of her hoydenhood, it might not have been felt to this extent. She might even have considered such a war of wits an amusing pastime; and instead of contenting herself with defence, boldly carried the campaign into the enemy's country. In these wars she had invariably the best of it, as Mrs Hunt and many others knew to their cost. But a hand-to-hand fight with Colonel Aytoun was different. His touch was pollutionhis presence a defiling thing. When she was rid of him, she might be excused if, hardly knowing what she said, she called it the "danger."

The sisters were now necessarily condemned either to the house or to their own grounds, which were not extensive.

To be sure there was the short cut; but by frequenting it, reports might get abroad of an understanding between. them and Mr Smith. Everything that would encourage these must be given up for a while. They even hoped the would not come to Freelands.

Carry and Lily, having seen Colonel Aytoun, were almost as anxious as their sister to avoid another meeting. They never should know how to answer him as Helen did, and agreed that he had a horrid smile, and a malevolent eye. Besides which, he had paid them no attention, and had looked older than they expected.

"I told you that," said Helen. "He is fifty if he is a day. I rather suspect he is a year or two older."

"But I did not think he would look it. I imagined a tall, dark, melancholy-looking man, a sort of Don Juan." "You could not have hit him off better, Lily."

"Oh no, he is not my ideal at all."

"So that is your ideal?"

"Yes, quite. To tell you the truth, I had rather prepared my mind to be captivated with your bête noire.” "Captivated!"

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Well, I'm not; so you need not look like that. For one thing he stooped, and his eyebrows were too thick; but the worst was, I am certain he had false teeth. I heard them rattle in his mouth-I know I did; and after that, I could have snapped my fingers at him."

"You had better not, Lily."

"Oh, I shall do nothing rash; I did not mean that. Only that I did wonder how you could ever have cared to go on with a man of that age.'

"I am not particular as to age. For that matter, older men are often far more dangerous than the very young ones. They are so soft. Just like the young trees, tender and sappy, the least thing kills them. But I like to say, 'Bend, sturdy oak!"" cried the saucy girl, in her triumph.

"It was a good thing that fancy took you just when Mr Smith came," rejoined Lily. "You are bending him, or I am mistaken."

"And it takes all my strength, and that is what I like. He gives way a little, inclines on one side; I think I will have him down, and lo! he is upright again with a spring."

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'Every stroke tells, however," said Lily, carrying on the metaphor.

Helen smiled. “I think he is beginning to show signs of wear. The resistance is getting feebler. Courage, Helen! 'One struggle more '-how does it go on?"

"Ha! ha! ha!" laughed Lily; "that is not the meaning at all. But I like your oak. I don't know why it should be, but I like him better after to-day. He rises by comparison with Colonel Aytoun. At least there is nothing false about him, and he has such a much pleasanter voice."

Helen was very much pleased. A concession so great as this could hardly have been looked for from the volatile Lily. She slipped her arm within her sister's and began to talk of Mr Smith more seriously than she had ever done before.

"You see, Lily, I really do like him. He is very pleaHe is as kind as he can be. He would allow me

sant.

to have my own way in everything, and we should have such fun up there. I am sure I should never feel the least inclined to do anything he disliked. I would be as good to him as possible. And his plans and his cottages-it is really very nice of him, and quite the right thing for a country gentleman. He gets on so well with everybody, too. Look how he got into the Sauffrenden's set at once, and the Lorrimers are his great friends; and these Aytouns who ask nobody, they had him at the Abbey. Every one seems to like Mr Smith."

"Yes," Lily agreed, doubtfully; and barely remembered in time, not to add, "It is very strange," before her sister. The truth of the statement she could not deny. But she felt it was a curious mystery, of which the most curious part was Nelly's own share in it.

But how charming it would be to feel really rich! They were very short of money just then at Freelands. The mourning for their grandmother had cost more than she left them; and though, to do the girls justice, they made their funds go further than many would, the bills were heavy.

Their income was not large; Mr Tolleton's fortune being invested so that it yielded only a small though safe return. It was tied up for his daughters. He was not at liberty to touch it, or alter its disposal.

The spacious mansion of the Hill, with its air of wealthy luxurious calm, had greatly impressed Helen. She was not a foolish girl, and where money was not to be had, contrived to do without it. She had never run into debt, and kept her sisters out of it likewise. But she dearly loved the things which money could purchase. Her very abstemiousness at present gave her a double zest for them.

She longed to go out into the world; to see, and be seen; to travel, in pretty travelling dresses, from one fashionable spot to the other. Further, she desired adventure, she panted after freedom and emancipation. Mr Smith's having shown a roving taste had been two-thirds in his favour.

Then, when at home, she had a fancy for bright little pony-carriages, and a supple hunter to carry her out, the admiration of the field. Of course, as Mr Smith did not hunt, she could not follow the hounds either. That pros

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pect must be relinquished; but she would be able to dally round the meet, to show herself at the breakfast, to get snatches of the sport by many a little turn and bypath.

All this, if need be, she could go without. Had she not been the one to insist on laying down the carriage, when, at the beginning of the winter, one horse had died and the other had been obliged to be shot?

People had almost pitied the Tolletons then.

But the girls made so light of their misfortune, and looked so healthy and handsome walking about in their bright-coloured petticoats, that the pity died out.

They were known to be fond of riding, but no one ever offered them a mount. They walked when they went to make their calls. They walked to church in all weathers.

Lord Sauffrenden alone felt for them. Captain Wellwood, who trudged many a mile to save his own beautiful pair, saw no hardship in it. Mr Smith knew nothing of the matter. Dr Hunt thought it did them all the good in the world.

As the sisters talked confidentially over Helen's prospects, on that Christmas eve, they spoke of their loss.

"It would be a comfort to have a carriage again,” said Lily. "I wonder how many Mr Smith has."

"I have seen two, and a gig, and I think there is a ponycarriage in the stables."

"How did you find out that?"

"I forget how. Not from himself; the Hunts, I think. By the way, I wonder if Maria is learning to drive yet. Oh, Lily, I always forgot to tell you of our visit to the Hunts the day of the snow-storm. Colonel Aytoun put it out of my head. It was papa's idea. It was to make sure that the doctor had paid his visit. Now, what do you think is the new alarm? We are disposed of, but a formidable antagonist has arisen in the shape of Miss Fulton. Poor Miss Fulton! Imagine her feelings if she knew she was regarded as the rival of Maria Hunt! It appears, however, that Miss Fulton is the wife the Sauffrendens have looked out for Mr Smith, and beyond a doubt, the most suitable one that has been thought of yet. If it had not been for one single objection, she is the very person I should have fixed upon, myself."