trary, has given
evidences of his shrewdness and penetration, not to observe pretty
quickly that a girl--how shall I express myself?--that a girl is
deeply attached to him, even though no word of love has been exchanged
between them?"

I was greatly embarrassed. What could be her meaning? Was this
simplicity or maliciousness on her part, to address such a question
to me? After a few moments' reflection, however, I answered--

"I believe that, in general, both men and women very quickly discover
the mutual feelings which they entertain towards each other, even
though no words on the subject have passed between them."

"That is my opinion also now; but at the time I am referring to I was
as inexperienced as a child. My father's friends always regarded me
as an ill-bred girl, whimsical and capricious, a sort of savage whom
nobody cared to invite into society either for the sake of their sons
or daughters. The young officers who visited at our house would try
to make themselves agreeable; but their conduct appeared so insipid,
so ridiculous, that I only mocked them, and gave such biting replies
as to disconcert the most intrepid amongst them.

"It was at this time that Lord William came to stay with us. He
was introduced to me as a schoolfellow of my father's; at Eton he
had been Sir John's fag, and indeed was his junior by only a few
years. For some reason, unexplained to me, it was said he had been
obliged to leave England, and my father offered him the suite of
rooms left vacant by my grandfather. Lord William appeared to be
rich; he brought over an immense quantity of luggage, and paid right
royally for any service rendered him. I believe, indeed, he had a
private agreement with my father about the housekeeping expenses,
though neither of them ever told me so. Now a housekeeper was engaged
to assist me in the management of the house, and yet it was with
the greatest difficulty that I could adapt myself to the duties
of mistress of such an establishment. The presence of our visitor,
however, greatly aided in reconciling me to my position.

"Lord William (I never knew his family name) was a man of letters,
and had had a very valuable and expensive library sent over for his
use. Moreover, he was highly gifted with the faculty of communicating
his knowledge to others in a pleasant and agreeable manner. He was an
enthusiastic lover of art and poetry; he could read and even speak
several modern languages, and was passio