ore you've come out. Farewell! God bless you, dear.'

Wyat was dropping the 'white' restorative into a wine-glass and the room
was redolent of ether. I was glad to escape. The figures and whole _mise en
scene_ were unearthly.

'Well, Milly,' I said, as I met her in the hall, 'your papa is going to
write to him.'

I sometimes wonder whether Milly was right, and how I should have acted a
few months earlier.

Next day whom should we meet in the Windmill Wood but Captain Oakley. The
spot where this interesting _rencontre_ occurred was near that ruinous
bridge on my sketch of which I had received so many compliments. It was
so great a surprise that I had not time to recollect my indignation, and,
having received him very affably, I found it impossible, during our brief
interview, to recover my lost altitude.

After our greetings were over, and some compliments neatly made, he said--

'I had such a curious note from Mr. Silas Ruthyn. I am sure he thinks me a
very impertinent fellow, for it was really anything but inviting--extremely
rude, in fact. But I could not quite see that because he does not want
me to invade his bed-room--an incursion I never dreamed of--I was not to
present myself to you, who had already honoured me with your acquaintance,
with the sanction of those who were most interested in your welfare, and
who were just as well qualified as he, I fancy, to say who were qualified
for such an honour.'

'My uncle, Mr. Silas Ruthyn, you are aware, is my guardian; and this is my
cousin, his daughter.'

This was an opportunity of becoming a little lofty, and I improved it. He
raised his hat and bowed to Milly.

'I'm afraid I've been very rude and stupid. Mr. Ruthyn, of course, has a
perfect right to--to--in fact, I was not the least aware that I had the
honour of so near a relation's--a--a--and what exquisite scenery you
have! I think this country round Feltram particularly fine; and this
Bartram-Haugh is, I venture to say, about the very most beautiful spot in
this beautiful region. I do assure you I am tempted beyond measure to make
Feltram and the Hall Hotel my head-quarters for at least a week. I only
regret the foliage; but your trees show wonderfully, even in winter, so
many of them have got that ivy about them. They say it spoils trees, but it
certainly beautifies them. I have just ten days' leave unexpired; I wish
I could induce you to advise me how to apply them. What shall I do, Miss
Ruthyn?'

'I