e gain their
livelihood with so much pleasure in their toil as I do. Here is some one
coming.'

She seemed vexed at the interruption.

'It is only Mr. Lawrence and Miss Wilson,' said I, 'coming to enjoy a
quiet stroll. They will not disturb us.'

I could not quite decipher the expression of her face; but I was
satisfied there was no jealousy therein. What business had I to look for
it?

'What sort of a person is Miss Wilson?' she asked.

'She is elegant and accomplished above the generality of her birth and
station; and some say she is ladylike and agreeable.'

'I thought her somewhat frigid and rather supercilious in her manner
to-day.'

'Very likely she might be so to you. She has possibly taken a prejudice
against you, for I think she regards you in the light of a rival.'

'Me! Impossible, Mr. Markham!' said she, evidently astonished and
annoyed.

'Well, I know nothing about it,' returned I, rather doggedly; for I
thought her annoyance was chiefly against myself.

The pair had now approached within a few paces of us. Our arbour was set
snugly back in a corner, before which the avenue at its termination
turned off into the more airy walk along the bottom of the garden. As
they approached this, I saw, by the aspect of Jane Wilson, that she was
directing her companion's attention to us; and, as well by her cold,
sarcastic smile as by the few isolated words of her discourse that
reached me, I knew full well that she was impressing him with the idea,
that we were strongly attached to each other. I noticed that he coloured
up to the temples, gave us one furtive glance in passing, and walked on,
looking grave, but seemingly offering no reply to her remarks.

It was true, then, that he had some designs upon Mrs. Graham; and, were
they honourable, he would not be so anxious to conceal them. She was
blameless, of course, but he was detestable beyond all count.

While these thoughts flashed through my mind, my companion abruptly rose,
and calling her son, said they would now go in quest of the company, and
departed up the avenue. Doubtless she had heard or guessed something of
Miss Wilson's remarks, and therefore it was natural enough she should
choose to continue the _tete-a-tete_ no longer, especially as at that
moment my cheeks were burning with indignation against my former friend,
the token of which she might mistake for a blush of stupid embarrassment.
For this I owed Miss Wilson yet another grudg