s, were equally unattractive to him.
Still it was well to have Lady Alice at Castleford, within easy reach,
while there was so much to occupy his time and attention in the country.
As soon as he was sure of his election he would hasten his marriage, and
perhaps get the honey-moon over in time to take his seat while there was
still a month or two of the session unexpired.

From Lady Alice it was an easy transition of thought to the new guest at
Castleford. Where had he seen her face? and with what was he associated
in her mind? Nothing agreeable; of that he was quite sure. The vivid
blush and indescribable shrinking he had noticed more than once (and
Errington, like most quiet men, was a close observer) seemed
unaccountable. Miss Liddell was far from shy; she was well-bred and
evidently accustomed to society; her avoidance had therefore made the
more impression. His experience of life had hitherto been exceedingly
unemotional, and Katherine's unexpected betrayal of feeling puzzled him
not a little.

At this point in his reflections he had reached that part of the road
where it dipped into a hollow, on one side of which the Melford woods
began. A steep bank rose on the right, thickly studded with beech and
oak trees, still leafless, but the scanty, yellowish grass which grew
beneath them was tufted with primroses and violets.

As Errington came round a bend in the little valley the sound of shrill,
childish laughter came pleasantly to his ear, and the next minute
brought him in sight of a lady in mourning whom he recognized
immediately, and two little boys, who were high up the back, busily
engaged filling a basket with sweet spring blossoms.

Errington paused, dismounted, and raising his hat, approached her.

"I did not expect so meet _you_ so far afield," he said. "You are not
afraid of a long walk."

"My nephews have led me on from flower to flower," she returned, again
coloring brightly, but not shrinking from his eyes. "Now I think it is
time to go home."

"It is not late," he returned. "How is every one at Castleford?"

"Quite well. Lady Alice has lost her cold, and regained her voice--she
was singing this morning," said Katherine, smiling as if she knew the
real drift of his question.

"I am glad to hear it," he returned, soberly.

Errington and Lady Alice did not write to each other every day.

"Auntie," cried Cis, "the basket is quite full. If you open your
sunshade and hold it upside-down, I can fil