looking at you, wife; it's Emily that has taken his fancy.
Emily, my dear, there's a gentleman, over opposite, who admires you
exceedingly."

"Is there?" said Emily, smiling, "I am very much obliged to him. May I
venture to return the compliment?"

"Yes. He's a fine-looking fellow, though wife, here, doesn't seem to
like him very well."

Gertrude now joined them, and, as she made her morning salutions to the
doctor and his wife, and gaily apologised to the former for her
tardiness, the fine colour which mantled her countenance, and the deep
brilliancy of her eyes, drew affectionate admiration from the kind old
couple, and were, perhaps, the cause of the stranger's attention being
transferred from the lovely face of Emily to the more youthful and
eloquent features of Gertrude. Taking her seat, she soon perceived the
notice she was attracting. It embarrassed her, and she was glad to see,
in a few minutes, the gentleman rise and depart. As he passed out, she
had an opportunity of observing him, which she had not done while he sat
opposite to her. He was above the middle height, slender, but finely
formed, and of a dignified bearing. His features were rather sharp, but
expressive, and even handsome; his dark eyes were most penetrating,
while his compressed lips indicated strength of resolution and will.

His hair was peculiar; it was deeply tinged with grey, and in the
vicinity of his temples, white. This was strikingly in contrast with the
youthful fire of his eye, and the lightness of his step, that instead of
seeming the effect of age, it enhanced the contradictory claims of his
otherwise apparent youth and vigour.

"What a queer-looking man," exclaimed Mrs. Jeremy, when he had passed
out.

"An elegant-looking man, isn't he?" said Gertrude.

"Elegant?" rejoined Mrs. Jeremy. "What! with that grey head?"

"I think it's beautiful," said Gertrude; "but I wish he didn't look so
melancholy; it makes me quite sad to see him."

"How old should you think he was?" asked Dr. Jeremy.

"About fifty," said Mrs. Jeremy.

"About thirty," said Gertrude.

"A wide difference," remarked Emily. "Doctor, you must decide the
point."

"Impossible! I wouldn't venture to tell that man's age within ten years,
at least. Wife has got him old enough, certainly; perhaps I might see
him as low as Gertrude's mark. Age never turned _his_ hair grey!--that
is certain."

CHAPTER XXXIV.

A NEW ACQUAINTANCE.

To travellers in the