of self-criticism. 'Well,
never mind. I must ask your father to allow us to be engaged directly we
get indoors. It will be for a long time.'

'I like it the better....Stephen, don't mention it till to-morrow.'

'Why?'

'Because, if he should object--I don't think he will; but if
he should--we shall have a day longer of happiness from our
ignorance....Well, what are you thinking of so deeply?'

'I was thinking how my dear friend Knight would enjoy this scene. I wish
he could come here.'

'You seem very much engrossed with him,' she answered, with a jealous
little toss. 'He must be an interesting man to take up so much of your
attention.'

'Interesting!' said Stephen, his face glowing with his fervour; 'noble,
you ought to say.'

'Oh yes, yes; I forgot,' she said half satirically. 'The noblest man in
England, as you told us last night.'

'He is a fine fellow, laugh as you will, Miss Elfie.'

'I know he is your hero. But what does he do? anything?'

'He writes.'

'What does he write? I have never heard of his name.'

'Because his personality, and that of several others like him, is
absorbed into a huge WE, namely, the impalpable entity called the
PRESENT--a social and literary Review.'

'Is he only a reviewer?'

'ONLY, Elfie! Why, I can tell you it is a fine thing to be on the staff
of the PRESENT. Finer than being a novelist considerably.'

'That's a hit at me, and my poor COURT OF KELLYON CASTLE.'

'No, Elfride,' he whispered; 'I didn't mean that. I mean that he is
really a literary man of some eminence, and not altogether a reviewer.
He writes things of a higher class than reviews, though he reviews
a book occasionally. His ordinary productions are social and ethical
essays--all that the PRESENT contains which is not literary reviewing.'

'I admit he must be talented if he writes for the PRESENT. We have it
sent to us irregularly. I want papa to be a subscriber, but he's so
conservative. Now the next point in this Mr. Knight--I suppose he is a
very good man.'

'An excellent man. I shall try to be his intimate friend some day.'

'But aren't you now?'

'No; not so much as that,' replied Stephen, as if such a supposition
were extravagant. 'You see, it was in this way--he came originally from
the same place as I, and taught me things; but I am not intimate with
him. Shan't I be glad when I get richer and better known, and hob and
nob with him!' Stephen's eyes sparkled.

A pout began to shape itse