ive of the principal places in Europe worth visiting, but that
he had acquired an interest in the places; interest in the fame attached
to them by their history in the past, or by the treasures of art they
contained.

So they talked far into the night; and when Tom retired to his room,
Kenelm let himself out of the house noiselessly, and walked with slow
steps towards the old summer-house in which he had sat with Lily. The
wind had risen, scattering the clouds that had veiled the preceding day,
so that the stars were seen in far chasms of the sky beyond,--seen for
a while in one place, and, when the swift clouds rolled over them there,
shining out elsewhere. Amid the varying sounds of the trees, through
which swept the night gusts, Kenelm fancied he could distinguish the
sigh of the willow on the opposite lawn of Grasmere.

CHAPTER II.

KENELM despatched a note to Will Somers early the next morning, inviting
himself and Mr. Bowles to supper that evening. His tact was sufficient
to make him aware that in such social meal there would be far less
restraint for each and all concerned than in a more formal visit
from Tom during the day-time; and when Jessie, too, was engaged with
customers to the shop.

But he led Tom through the town and showed him the shop itself, with
its pretty goods at the plate-glass windows, and its general air of
prosperous trade; then he carried him off into the lanes and fields of
the country, drawing out the mind of his companion, and impressed with
great admiration of its marked improvement in culture, and in the trains
of thought which culture opens out and enriches.

But throughout all their multiform range of subject Kenelm could
perceive that Tom was still preoccupied and abstracted: the idea of the
coming interview with Jessie weighed upon him.

When they left Cromwell Lodge at nightfall, to repair to the supper at
Will's; Kenelm noticed that Bowles had availed himself of the contents
of his carpet-bag to make some refined alterations in his dress. The
alterations became him.

When they entered the parlour, Will rose from his chair with the
evidence of deep emotion on his face, advanced to Tom, took his hand and
grasped and dropped it without a word. Jessie saluted both guests alike,
with drooping eyelids and an elaborate curtsy. The old mother alone was
perfectly self-possessed and up to the occasion.

"I am heartily glad to see you, Mr. Bowles," said she, "and so all three
of