phrey?"

"Please, sir--no, sir," said the girl, looking appealingly in his frank
face.

"Having a walk then, eh?"

"Please, sir, aunt sent me," said the girl.

"Polly, my little maid, I believe you are a good girl," said Trevor, his
face growing dark--"there, don't cry, I'm not angry with you. Speak
out, and trust me. You are not afraid of me?"

"Oh no, sir. Humphrey says you're so good and kind," said the girl.

"Thanks to Humphrey for his good opinion," said Trevor. "But, now, tell
me plainly, what does all this mean?"

"Please, sir, I dursen't," sobbed the girl.

"Nonsense, child! Tell me directly."

"Aunt would kill me," sobbed Polly.

"Stuff, child! Now, be a good, sensible little girl, and fancy I'm
Humphrey."

"Oh, sir--please, sir, I couldn't do that."

"Come, come, speak out. Now, do you come of your own accord for these
walks?"

"No, sir. I--I--Aunt makes me."

"I thought so--I supposed so," said Trevor. "And why do you come?"

"Oh, sir, don't ask me, please--don't ask me," sobbed Polly, now crying
out-right.

"Now, look here, my little girl; if you'll speak plainly perhaps I can
help you. Once more, why do you come here? There, there, don't cry."

"Oh, please, sir, it's--it's aunt's doing."

"Well, well, child, speak," said Trevor, and he took the girl's hand.
"It makes me cross when you will keep on crying."

"Pray, sir, don't--pray, don't," she sobbed, trying to withdraw her
hand. "Oh! what shall I do?"

"Speak put," said Trevor.

"Aunt--aunt thinks, sir--wants, sir--you to marry me, sir; and oh!" she
cried, throwing herself on her knees, and holding up her little hands as
in prayer, "I do hate you so--I do, indeed!"

"Thank you, little one," exclaimed Trevor, laughing merrily. "There,
Polly, get up before you stain that pretty dress with the moss. Wipe
your little eyes, and leave off hating me as soon as you can, and you
shall marry Humphrey."

"Oh, sir!" faltered Polly, rising.

"There, little one, go and walk about till your eyes are not red; and if
you should see Humphrey down by the long copse, where they are repairing
the ditches, tell him I shall want to see him about three--no, stop, say
this evening. I am going for a drive."

Polly hesitated a moment, and then caught and kissed his hand, shrinking
back the next moment, ashamed at her boldness.

"There, I thought you would not hate me," said Trevor. "I'll go back at
once and see your aunt. You shan