, where, after toiling abroad, she
could come back to a humble home, in which her heart would be free, and
generous love would answer love. But duty said "No," as she believed.
The cold, hard woman who so cruelly repulsed her was her beloved
father's only sister, and she had resolved that while her aunt claimed
or desired her services no personal considerations should withdraw her
from that house of restraint and humiliation.

Pondering the difficulties of her trying position, yet in no murmuring
spirit, Mary Stansfield, on this quiet summer's evening, was just
passing the boundary wall which separated Riverton Park from the
adjoining property, when, to her surprise and partly amusement also, she
noticed a venerable-looking old gentleman seated school-boy fashion on
the top rail of a five-barred gate. The contrast between his
patriarchal appearance and his attitude and position made her find it
difficult to keep her countenance; so, turning her head away lest he
should see the smile on her face, she was quickening her pace, when she
became aware that he had jumped down from his elevated seat and was
advancing towards her.

"Miss Stansfield, I suppose?" he asked, as she hesitated for a moment in
her walk, at the same time raising his hat respectfully.

Surprised at this salutation, but pleased with the voice and manner of
the stranger, she stopped, and replied to his question in the
affirmative, and was moving on, when he added,--

"I am a stranger to you at present, my dear young lady; but I hope not
to be so long. I daresay you will guess that I am the new occupier of
Riverton Park. I suppose I ought properly to wait for a formal
introduction before making your acquaintance; but I have lived abroad in
the colonies for some years past, and colonial life makes one disposed
at times to set aside or disregard some of those social barriers which
are, I know, necessary in the old country; so you must excuse an old man
for introducing himself, and will permit him, I am sure, to accompany
you as far as your aunt's lodge."

There was something so frank, and at the same time so thoroughly
courteous, about the old gentleman's address that Miss Stansfield could
not be offended with him; while his age and bearing prevented her
feeling that there was any impropriety in her permitting him to be her
companion on the public road till she should reach the drive-gate
leading up to her home. She therefore bowed her assent, and t