moranda, you see. I walk so
much and come unexpectedly on such pretty nooks and studies, I just try
to make a note of them, but it is really more writing than sketching; my
sister says it is a cipher which nobody but myself understands. However,
I'll try and explain just two--because you really ought to go and see the
places. Oh, no; not that,' he laughed, as accidentally the page blew over,
'that's the Cat and Fiddle, a curious little pot-house, where they gave me
some very good ale one day.'

Milly at this exhibited some uneasy tokens of being about to speak, but not
knowing what might be coming, I hastened to observe on the spirited little
sketches to which he meant to draw my attention.

'I want to show you only the places within easy reach--a short ride or
drive.'

So he proceeded to turn over two or three, in addition to the two he had
at first proposed, and then another; then a little sketch just tinted, and
really quite a charming little gem, of Cousin Monica's pretty gabled old
house; and every subject had its little criticism, or its narrative, or
adventure.

As he was about returning this little sketch-book to his pocket, still
chatting to me, he suddenly recollected poor Milly, who was looking rather
lowering; but she brightened a good deal as he presented it to her, with a
little speech which she palpably misunderstood, for she made one of her odd
courtesies, and was about, I thought, to put it into her large pocket, and
accept it as a present.

'Look at the drawings, Milly, and then return it,' I whispered.

At his request I allowed him to look at my unfinished sketch of the bridge,
and while he was measuring distances and proportions with his eye, Milly
whispered rather angrily to me.

'And why should I?'

'Because he wants it back, and only meant to lend it to you,' whispered I.

'_Lend_ it to me--and after you! Bury-me-wick if I look at a leaf of it,'
she retorted in high dudgeon. 'Take it, lass; give it him yourself--I'll
not,' and she popped it into my hand, and made a sulky step back.

'My cousin is very much obliged,' I said, returning the book, and smiling
for her, and he took it smiling also and said--

'I think if I had known how very well you draw, Miss Ruthyn, I should have
hesitated about showing you my poor scrawls. But these are not my best, you
know; Lady Knollys will tell you that I can really do better--a great deal
better, I think.'

And then with more apologies for what he