In her love for her babe all other loves had been swallowed up,
refined, reduced in force. She loved Iver still, but only as a
friend, a brother. Her breast had room for one prevailing love
only--that of her child.

As she sat, slightly rocking the cradle, and with a smile dimpling
her cheek, a knock sounded at the door, and at her call there
entered a young man whom she had seen during the winter with Jonas.
He was a gentleman, and she had been told that he had lodged at the
Huts, and she knew that he had engaged the Broom-Squire to attend
him, when duck-shooting, at the Fransham ponds.

Mehetabel apologized for not rising as he entered, and pointed to
the cradle.

"My name is Markham," said the young man, "I have come to see Mr.
Kink. This is his house, I believe?"

"Yes, sir; but he is not at home."

"Will he be long absent?"

"I do not know. Will you please to take a chair?"

"Thank you." The young gentleman seated himself, wiped his brow,
and threw his cap on the floor.

"I want some fishing. I made Mr. Kink's acquaintance, shooting,
during the winter. Excuse me, are you his sister or his wife?"

"His wife, sir."

"You are very young."

To this Mehetabel made no reply.

"And uncommonly pretty," pursued Mr. Markham, looking at her with
admiration. "Where the deuce did the Broom-Squire pick you up?"

The young mother was annoyed--a little color formed in her cheek.
"Can I give a message to Jonas?" she asked.

"A message? Tell him he's a lucky dog. By heaven! I had no idea
that a pearl lay at the bottom of the Punch-Bowl. And that is your
baby?"

"Yes, sir."

Mehetabel lightly raised the sheet that covered the child's head.

The stranger stooped and looked at the sleeping child, that seemed
to be made uneasy by his glance, and turned moaning away.

"It looks as if it were for another world--not this," said the
gentleman.

The flush spread over Mehetabel's brow. "Sir," she said in a
fluttering voice, "You are not a doctor, are you?"

"Oh, dear, no!--a barrister."

"Then," said she, in a tone of relief, "you do not know. The child
is very well, but young."

"That may be."

The young man returned to his seat.

"I have left a fishing-rod outside," he said. "I wanted Kink to
accompany me on one of the ponds where there is a punt. There must
be plenty of fish in these sheets of water?"

"I believe there are, sir. As Jonas is away, perhaps Samuel Rocliffe
can help you. He is my husband'