oing."

"You will lose us the match if you do," said Compton.

"I can't help it: now you are out, it is rather insipid. There, you see
I can pay compliments as well as you."

Then she made a graceful inclination and moved away.

Compton felt his heart ache at parting. He took a thought and ran
quickly to a certain part of the field.

Ruperta and her attendant walked very slowly homeward.

Compton caught them just at their own gate. "Cousin!" said he,
imploringly, and held her out a nosegay of cowslips only.

At that the memories rushed back on her, and the girl seemed literally
to melt. She gave him one look full of womanly sensibility and winning
tenderness, and said, softly, "Thank you, cousin."

Compton went away on wings: the ice was broken.

But the next time he met her it had frozen again apparently: to be sure
she was alone; and young ladies will be bolder when they have another
person of their own sex with them.

Mr. Angelo called on Sir Charles Bassett to complain of a serious
grievance.

Mr. Angelo had become zealous and eloquent, but what are eloquence and
zeal against sex? A handsome woman had preached for ten minutes upon a
little mound outside the village, and had announced she should say a
few parting words next Sunday evening at six o'clock.

Mr. Angelo complained of this to Lady Bassett.

Lady Bassett referred him to Sir Charles.

Mr. Angelo asked that magistrate to enforce the law against
conventicles.

Sir Charles said he thought the Act did not apply.

"Well, but," said Angelo, "it is on your ground she is going to
preach."

"I am the proprietor, but the tenant is the owner in law. He could warn
_me_ off his ground. I have no power."

"I fear you have no inclination," said Angelo, nettled.

"Not much, to tell the truth," replied Sir Charles coolly. "Does it
matter so very much _who_ sows the good seed, or whether it is flung
abroad from a pulpit or a grassy knoll?"

"That is begging the question, Sir Charles. Why assume that it is good
seed? it is more likely to be tares than wheat in this case."

"And is not that begging the question? Well, I will make it my business
to know: and if she preaches sedition, or heresy, or bad morals, I will
strain my power a little to silence her. More than that I really cannot
promise you. The day is gone by for intolerance."

"Intolerance is a bad thing; but the absence of all conviction is
worse, and that is what we are coming to."