r eyelids winking mirthfully.

Rosamund's reply was a very grave nod, after which she gazed awhile at
vacancy.

"But," resumed Bertha, after reading her friend's face, "you have not
succeeded in making him understand yet?"

"Perhaps not quite. Yesterday morning I had a letter from him, asking
me to meet him in Kensington Gardens. I went, and we had a long talk.
Then in the evening, by chance, I saw Mr. Warburton."

"Has that anything to do with the matter?"

"Oh, no!" replied Miss Elvan hastily. "I mention it, because, as I told
you once before, Mr. Warburton always likes to talk of Norbert."

"I see. And you talked of him?"

"We only saw each other for a few minutes. The thunder-storm came
on.--Bertha, I never knew any one so mysterious as Mr. Warburton. Isn't
it extraordinary that Norbert, his intimate friend, doesn't know what
he does? I can't help thinking he must write. One can't associate him
with anything common, mean."

"Perhaps his glory will burst upon us one of these days," said Bertha.

"It really wouldn't surprise me. He has a remarkable face--the kind of
face that suggests depth and force. I am sure he is very proud. He
could bear any extreme of poverty rather than condescend to ignoble
ways of earning money."

"Is the poor man very threadbare?" asked Bertha. "Has his coat that
greenish colour which comes with old age in cheap material?"

"You incorrigible! As far as I have noticed, he is quite properly
dressed."

"Oh, oh!" protested Bertha, in a shocked tone. "Properly dressed! What
a blow to my romantic imagination! I thought at least his coat-cuffs
would be worn out. And his boots? Oh, surely he is down at heel? Do say
that he's down at heel, Rosamund!"

"What a happy girl you are, Bertha," said the other after a laugh. "I
sometimes think I would give anything to be like you."

"Ah, but you don't know--you can t see into the gloomy depths, hidden
from every eye but my own. For instance, while here we sit, talking as
if I hadn't a care in the world I am all the time thinking that I must
go to Mr. Jollyman's--the grocer's, that is--as we haven't a lump of
sugar in the house."

"Then let me walk with you," said Rosamund. "I oughtn't to have come
worrying you to-day, before you had time to settle down. Just let me
walk with you to the grocer's, and then I'll leave you at peace."

They presently went forth, and walked for some distance westward along
Fulham Road.

"Here's Mr. Jollyman's