y sunny corner where the warmth from the skies had made the
cobbles quite hot, a tiny white kitten rolled on its back, making the
most absurd efforts to catch its own tail between its forepaws,--and a
promising brood of fowls were clucking contentedly round some scattered
grain lately flung out from the window of the "Trusty Man's" wash-house
for their delectation. There was nothing in the scene at all of a
character to excite envy in the most morbid and dissatisfied mind;--it
was full of the tamest domesticity, and yet--it was a picture such as
some thoughtful Dutch artist would have liked to paint as a suggestion
of rural simplicity and peace.

"But if one only knew the ins and outs of the life here, it might not
prove so inviting," he thought. "I daresay all the little towns and
villages in this neighbourhood are full of petty discords, jealousies,
envyings and spites,--even Prue's mother, Mrs. Clodder, may have, and
probably has, a neighbour whom she hates, and wishes to get the better
of, in some way or other, for there is really no such thing as actual
peace anywhere except--in the grave! And who knows whether we shall even
find it there! Nothing dies which does not immediately begin to live--in
another fashion. And every community, whether of insects, birds, wild
animals, or men and women, is bound to fight for existence,--therefore
those who cry: 'Peace, peace!' only clamour for a vain thing. The very
stones and rocks and mountains maintain a perpetual war with destroying
elements,--they appear immutable things to our short lives, but they
change in their turn even as we do--they die to live again in other
forms, even as we do. And what is it all for? What is the sum and
substance of so much striving--if merest Nothingness is the end?"

He was disturbed from his reverie by the entrance of Miss Tranter. He
turned round and smiled at her.

"Well!" she said--"Enjoyed your breakfast?"

"Very much indeed, thanks to your kindness!" he replied. "I hardly
thought I had such a good appetite left to me. I feel quite strong and
hearty this morning."

"You look twice the man you were last night, certainly,"--and she eyed
him thoughtfully--"Would you like a job here?"

A flush rose to his brows. He hesitated before replying.

"You'd rather not!" snapped out Miss Tranter--"I can see 'No' in your
face. Well, please yourself!"

He looked at her. Her lips were compressed in a thin line, and she wore
a decidedly vexed ex