t giving him credit for his ignorance, was annoyed with
himself for having told so much of his own history. "I will tell the
ladies that I had the pleasure of meeting you," he said; "that is, if
I am lucky enough to see them." And then he drove on.

"I know I should hate that fellow if I were to meet him anywhere
again," said Johnny to himself as he rode on. "When I take an
aversion to a fellow at first sight, I always stick to it. It's
instinct, I suppose." And he was still giving himself credit for
the strength of his instincts when he reached Lady Julia's cottage.
He rode at once into the stable-yard, with the privilege of an
accustomed friend of the house, and having given up his horse,
entered the cottage by the back door. "Is my lady at home, Jemima?"
he said to the maid.

"Yes, Mr. John; she is in the drawing-room, and friends of yours are
with her." Then he was announced, and found himself in the presence
of Lady Julia, Lily Dale, and Grace Crawley.

He was very warmly received. Lady Julia really loved him dearly, and
would have done anything in her power to bring about a match between
him and Lily. Grace was his cousin, and though she had not seen him
often, she was prepared to love him dearly as Lily's lover. And
Lily,--Lily loved him dearly too,--if only she could have brought
herself to love him as he wished to be loved! To all of them Johnny
Eames was something of a hero. At any rate in the eyes of all of them
he possessed those virtues which seemed to them to justify them in
petting him and making much of him.

"I am so glad you've come,--that is, if you've brought my
spectacles," said Lady Julia.

"My pockets are crammed with spectacles," said Johnny.

"And when are you coming to me?"

"I was thinking of Tuesday."

"No; don't come till Wednesday. But I mean Monday. No; Monday won't
do. Come on Tuesday,--early, and drive me out. And now tell us the
news."

Johnny swore that there was no news. He made a brave attempt to
be gay and easy before Lily; but he failed, and he knew that he
failed,--and he knew that she knew that he failed. "Mamma will be so
glad to see you," said Lily. "I suppose you haven't seen Bell yet?"

"I only got to Guestwick yesterday afternoon," said he.

"And it will be so nice our having Grace at the Small House;--won't
it? Uncle Christopher has quite taken a passion for Grace,--so that I
am hardly anybody now in the Allington world."

"By-the-by," said Johnny, "I came d