r tears and stole a secret glance
around to see what part of the gravel walk supported a certain
pair of feet, for higher than the ground she dared not look.
Her surprise was a good deal to find that her glance must take
quite a wide range to meet with them; and then venturing a
single upward look, she saw that her companion standing at a
little distance was not watching her, nor apparently had been;
his attitude bespoke him quietly fixed upon something else and
awaiting her leisure. Elizabeth brought her eyes home again.

"What a strange young man!" was her quick thought; -- "to have
been brought up a farmer's boy, and to know enough and to dare
enough to put me on this seat, and then to have the wit to go
off and stand there in that manner!"

But this tribute of respect to Winthrop was instantly followed
by an endeavour to do herself honour, in the way of gaining
self-possession and her ordinary looks as speedily as
possible. She commanded herself well after once she got the
reins in hand; yet however it was with a grave consciousness
of swollen eyes and flushed cheeks that she presently rose
from her place and went forward to the side of the quiet
figure that stood there with folded arms watching the rolling
waters of the bay. Elizabeth stood at his elbow a minute in
hesitation.

"I am ready now, Mr. Landholm. I am sorry I have kept you by
my ridiculousness."

"I have not been kept beyond my pleasure," he said.

"I lost command of myself," Elizabeth went on. "That happens
to me once in a while."

"You will feel better for it," he said, as they turned and
began to walk homewards.

"He takes things coolly!" thought Elizabeth.

"Do you men ever lose command of yourselves?"

"Sometimes -- I am afraid," he said with a smile.

"I suppose your greater power of nerve and of guarding
appearances, is one secret of the triumphant sort of pride you
wear upon occasion. There --I see it in your face now."

"I hope not," said Winthrop laughing. "The best instance of
self-control that I ever saw, was most unaccompanied with any
arrogance of merit or power."

"He means his mother again," thought Elizabeth.

"Was that instance in a man or a woman, Mr. Landholm?"

"It was in a woman -- unfortunately for your ground."

"Not at all," said Elizabeth. "Exceptions prove nothing."

Winthrop said nothing, for his thoughts were busy with that
image of sweet self-guidance which he had never known to be
unsteady or fail;