. Shubrick's had given out. He came in from his walk
to the village, bringing Mrs. Copley something she had commissioned him
to get from thence; and found both ladies sitting at a late dinner. And
not the young officer's eyes alone marked the sudden flush which rose
in Dolly's cheeks when he appeared, and the lowered eyelids as he stood
opposite her.

"We began to review the park, the other day," he said, eyeing her
steadily. "Can we have another walk in it this afternoon, Miss Dolly?
The first was so pleasant."

"I shouldn't think you'd go pleasuring just now, Dolly, when your
father wants you," said Mrs. Copley. "You have seen hardly anything of
him lately. I should think you would go and sit with him this
afternoon. I know he would like it."

Whether this arrangement was agreeable to the present parties
concerned, or either of them, did not appear. Of course the most
decorous acquiescence was all that came to light. A little later, Mr.
Shubrick himself, being thus relieved from duty, quitted the house and
strolled down to the bridge and over it into the park; and Dolly slowly
went upstairs to her father's room. It was true, she had been there
lately less than usual; but there had been a reason for that. Her
conscience was not charged with any neglect.

Mr. Copley seemed sleepily inclined; and after a word or two exchanged
with him Dolly began to go round the room, looking to see if anything
needed her ordering hand. Truly she found nothing. Coming to the
window, she paused a moment in idle wistfulness to see how the summer
sunshine lay upon the oaks of the park. And standing there, she saw Mr.
Shubrick, slowly going over the bridge. She turned away and went on
with her progress round the room.

"What are you about there, Dolly?" Mr. Copley called to her.

"Just seeing if anything wants my attention, father."

"Nothing does, I can tell you. The room is all right, and everything in
it. I've been kept in order, since I have had a naval officer to attend
upon me."

"Don't I keep things in order, father?"

"If you do, your mother don't. She thinks that anywhere is a place, and
that one place is as good as another."

"Mother seems to think I have neglected you lately. Have you missed me?"

"Missed you! no. I have had care and company. Where did you pick up
that young man, Dolly?"

"I, father? I didn't pick him up."

"How came he here, then? What brought him?"

"I don't know," said Dolly. "Would you like t