ed from romance; but by what process that other
person has become singled out of the whole universe to attain such
special power over one is a problem that, though many have attempted to
solve it, has never attained to solution. In the dim light of the room
Kenelm could only distinguish the outlines of Lily's delicate face, but
at each new surprise in the show, the face intuitively turned to his,
and once, when the terrible image of a sheeted ghost, pursuing a guilty
man, passed along the wall, she drew closer to him in her childish
fright, and by an involuntary innocent movement laid her hand on his. He
detained it tenderly, but, alas! it was withdrawn the next moment;
the ghost was succeeded by a couple of dancing dogs. And Lily's ready
laugh--partly at the dogs, partly at her own previous alarm--vexed
Kenelm's ear. He wished there had been a succession of ghosts, each more
appalling than the last.

The entertainment was over, and after a slight refreshment of cakes
and wine-and-water the party broke up; the children visitors went away
attended by servant-maids who had come for them. Mrs. Cameron and Lily
were to walk home on foot.

"It is a lovely night, Mrs. Cameron," said Mr. Emlyn, "and I will attend
you to your gate."

"Permit me also," said Kenelm.

"Ay," said the vicar, "it is your own way to Cromwell Lodge."

The path led them through the churchyard as the nearest approach to the
brook-side. The moonbeams shimmered through the yew-trees and rested on
the old tomb; playing, as it were, round the flowers which Lily's hand
had that day dropped upon its stone. She was walking beside Kenelm, the
elder two a few paces in front.

"How silly I was," said she, "to be so frightened at the false ghost! I
don't think a real one would frighten me, at least if seen here, in this
loving moonlight, and on God's ground!"

"Ghosts, were they permitted to appear except in a magic lantern, could
not harm the innocent. And I wonder why the idea of their apparition
should always have been associated with such phantasies of horror,
especially by sinless children, who have the least reason to dread
them."

"Oh, that is true," cried Lily; "but even when we are grown up there
must be times in which we should so long to see a ghost, and feel what a
comfort, what a joy it would be."

"I understand you. If some one very dear to us had vanished from our
life; if we felt the anguish of the separation so intensely as to efface
th