o one but Mary Millward and
Arthur. She and Mary journeyed along together, generally with the child
between them;--but where the road permitted, I always walked on the other
side of her, Richard Wilson taking the other side of Miss Millward, and
Fergus roving here and there according to his fancy; and, after a while,
she became more friendly, and at length I succeeded in securing her
attention almost entirely to myself--and then I was happy indeed; for
whenever she did condescend to converse, I liked to listen. Where her
opinions and sentiments tallied with mine, it was her extreme good sense,
her exquisite taste and feeling, that delighted me; where they differed,
it was still her uncompromising boldness in the avowal or defence of that
difference, her earnestness and keenness, that piqued my fancy: and even
when she angered me by her unkind words or looks, and her uncharitable
conclusions respecting me, it only made me the more dissatisfied with
myself for having so unfavourably impressed her, and the more desirous to
vindicate my character and disposition in her eyes, and, if possible, to
win her esteem.

At length our walk was ended. The increasing height and boldness of the
hills had for some time intercepted the prospect; but, on gaining the
summit of a steep acclivity, and looking downward, an opening lay before
us--and the blue sea burst upon our sight!--deep violet blue--not deadly
calm, but covered with glinting breakers--diminutive white specks
twinkling on its bosom, and scarcely to be distinguished, by the keenest
vision, from the little seamews that sported above, their white wings
glittering in the sunshine: only one or two vessels were visible, and
those were far away.

I looked at my companion to see what she thought of this glorious scene.
She said nothing: but she stood still, and fixed her eyes upon it with a
gaze that assured me she was not disappointed. She had very fine eyes,
by-the-by--I don't know whether I have told you before, but they were
full of soul, large, clear, and nearly black--not brown, but very dark
grey. A cool, reviving breeze blew from the sea--soft, pure, salubrious:
it waved her drooping ringlets, and imparted a livelier colour to her
usually too pallid lip and cheek. She felt its exhilarating influence,
and so did I--I felt it tingling through my frame, but dared not give way
to it while she remained so quiet. There was an aspect of subdued
exhilaration in her face, th