the evening, you know, colonel.'

'Oh, yes, I am looking forwards to that, and to the first dance.
Remember you promised me.'

'Oh, yeth, I am thure of plenty of partnerth.'

'I should imagine so. We men must have very bad taste if we let you sit
down. Did you walk here this morning?'

'No, I rode. The hortheth are taken round. I have been here a long time
with Freda. It ith thuch a nice morning, ithn't it, Colonel Vaughan?'

'Delightful! What do you mean to do when you are your own mistress? I
quite fancy how grand you will feel when you have struck the magic
hour.'

'I darethay I thall be jutht the thame, unleth I get married.'

Freda glances up, and perceives a smile of amusement on Colonel
Vaughan's lips, and the usual calm inanity on Miss Nugent's handsome
features.

'That will depend on yourself, I am sure,' said the colonel.

Freda looks again, and sees the colonel's magnificent eyes fixed on the
young lady, who returns his glance, and simpers out,--

'I darethay it will.'

Colonel Vaughan turns suddenly, and encounters Freda's glance.

'How does the drawing get on Freda? Capitally! What a sky! quite
artistic.'

This is said whilst looking over Freda's shoulder, but she does not
respond to the remark.

'I wath jutht thaying I with I could draw. It mutht be thuth a nithe
amuthement.'

'Very. How is Lady Mary, to-day? I am ashamed to say I forgot to ask for
her.'

'Very well, thank you. The thaid you promithed to come over and help to
arrange the decorationth. I hope you will.'

'Thank you, yes. Perhaps Miss Gwynne will ride over with me to-morrow;
will you, Freda?'

'I am engaged to-morrow,' said Freda shortly.

'You will come at any rate, if Freda won't?' said Miss Nugent; 'the
alwayth thayth the ith engaged when we athk her. Now, don't be engaged
on Thurthday. I muth go now; will you be tho kind ath to ring for the
hortheth, Colonel Vaughan?'

The horses were ordered, and the colonel assisted the young heiress to
mount. She looked remarkably well on horseback, and even Freda was
obliged to allow that she and her grey mare would have made a fine
equestrian statue. She saw Colonel Vaughan look at her, and even watch
her down the drive. When he returned to the drawing-room, he said,--

'What is the matter, Miss Freda? Have the domestic deities been adverse
this morning? I am afraid you are very--cross,'

'Thank you, Colonel Vaughan. I am not at all--cross.'

'Have I had the misfortun