en kept a couple of hours and more
sitting on a stone by the brook Cedron; but then she had acquired
the privilege of telling how Mr. George Bertram and Miss Caroline
Waddington had passed those hours, _tete-a-tete_ together, on the
mountain-side.

"Why, Caroline, we thought you were never coming down again," said
Miss Baker.

"It was Mr. Bertram's fault, aunt; he is immoveable when he gets
to a certain rock up there. He has an idea of turning hermit, and
constructing a cell for himself in that spot."

"If I did turn hermit, it should certainly be for the sake of living
there," said he. "But I fear I want the proper spirit for so holy a
life."

"I hope you have not kept us all this time for nothing: you have had
some success, I trust?" said Miss Todd to Bertram, in a laughing
whisper. Miss Todd's face was quite joyous as she whispered; but then
her face was always joyous.

"I certainly have not done that which I intended to do," said
Bertram, with mock sententiousness. "And so far I have been
unsuccessful."

"Then she has rejected him," said Miss Todd to herself. "What a fool
the girl must be!" but it was a great comfort to Miss Todd that she
knew all about it.

That evening their plans were decided on as to leaving Jerusalem--the
plans, that is, of those whose fortunes we must follow;--Miss Baker,
namely, and her niece; Sir Lionel and his son. Of Miss Todd we may
here take our leave for awhile. She did not on this occasion marry
Sir Lionel, nor did she even have the satisfaction of knowing that
her friends accused her of wishing to do so. Miss Todd had her weak
points, but taking her as a whole, and striking the balance between
good and bad, I do not care how soon we may meet her again. To her
friends also we may bid adieu. Mr. M'Gabbery did not die of love. Mr.
Pott did propose to and was accepted by Miss Jones; but the match
was broken off by the parental Potts who on the occasion nearly
frightened poor Mrs. Jones out of her life. The Hunters sojourned
for awhile on the sides of Lebanon, but did at last return to the
discomforts of European life. Mrs. Hunter tried the effect of her
favourite costume at Tenby, but it was not found to answer. Of Mr.
Cruse, I can only say that he was dreadfully scolded by Mrs. Pott,
in that he had allowed her son to fall in love; and that Mr. Pott
threatened to stop his salary. An attorney's letter, however, settled
that.

It must be confessed that Miss Baker had allowed he