ll
you of it. The woods lie on one side, and an ivy-covered wall
separates it from sloping fields on the other--the prettiest place
on earth." ("Artistic," thought I: "she has decided on
landscape-painting;" but I did not interrupt.) "It was just there
that Mr. Kenderdine came to my side: he had dismounted to open the
gate, and was leading his horse. He came to my side, and, looking up
at me, said half seriously, half smiling, 'You are very happy
to-day, Miss Eleanor: what will you do when I am not with you to
ride and walk and talk to?'

"'I suppose I shall find some one in Rome who rides, walks and talks
as well. They say the Campagna is lovely for riding.'

"'And perhaps some one who waltzes as well.'

"'Certainly: that is no great accomplishment. Like playing a
hurdy-gurdy, if you turn round often enough you cannot fail to make
a successful performance.'

"'There is one thing you will not find, Eleanor;' and he laid his
hand on my wrist: 'that is, some one who loves you as well.'

"'Mr. Kenderdine, please get on your horse, and don't talk
nonsense.'

"'I suppose I have as good a right to talk nonsense as any one, and
I believe the fancy for doing so comes to all of us once in our
lifetime.'

"'I admit your right to talk, and claim mine to refuse to listen;'
so saying, I gave my horse a cut. The animal started, but Fred's
hand was still on my bridle-wrist, and with a motion he checked the
animal so violently that it reared, afterward coming down on the sod
with a thud that almost unseated me.

"'I will talk, and you shall listen,' said Mr. Fred, looking
dangerous.

"'So it appears,' I retorted, thoroughly provoked; 'but I hope you
will oblige me by being as expeditious as possible, for I am very
much afraid that I shall miss the train to-night.'

"He looked at me a moment as if to be sure he understood my meaning,
then turned and sprang on his horse, at the same time remarking,
'You are right: I had better not detain you. I had forgotten your
journey.'

"We cantered on in silence for about three miles. The flush of anger
had slowly faded out of his face, when he commenced abruptly: 'Miss
Vachy, I have no _right_ to ask you what I intend asking, but I have
always thought you had a kind heart, and perhaps you will answer my
question. You may d