is gone. "Poor Mr. Thorndale
left us this morning, after a day of private conferences, in which
he seems to have had no satisfaction, for his resolute dignity and
determination to be agreeable all the evening were"--ahem--"were great.
Mabel cannot get at any of the real reasons from Eveleen, though I think
I could help her, but I can't tell you."'

'Charlotte means mischief.' said Charles, as he concluded.

'I am very sorry!' said Philip. 'I did think Lady Eveleen would have
been able to estimate Thorndale. It will be a great disappointment--the
inclination has been of long standing. Poor Thorndale!'

'It would have been a very good thing for Eva,' said Amabel. 'Mr.
Thorndale is such a sensible man.'

'And I thought his steady sense just what was wanting to bring out all
her good qualities that are running to waste in that irregular home,'
said Philip. 'What can have possessed her?'

'Ay! something must have possessed her,' said Charles. 'Eva was always
ready to be fallen in love with on the shortest notice, and if there
was not something prior in her imagination, Thorndale would not have had
much difficulty. By the bye, depend upon it, 'tis the tutor.'

Philip looked a little startled, but instantly reassuring himself,
said,--

'George Fielder! Impossible! You have never seen him!'

'Ah! don't you remember her description!' said Amy, in a low voice,
rather sadly.

The very reason, Amy,' said Charles; 'it showed that he had attracted
her fancy.'

Philip smiled a little incredulously.

'Ay!' said Charles, 'you may smile, but you handsome men can little
appreciate the attractiveness of an interesting ugliness. It is the way
to be looked at in the end. Mark my words, it is the tutor.'

'I hope not!' said Philip, as if shaken in his confidence. 'Any way it
is a bad affair. I am very much concerned for Thorndale.'

So sincerely concerned, that his head began to ache in the midst of some
writing. He was obliged to leave it to Charles to finish, and go out to
walk with Amy.

Amabel came in before him, and began to talk to Charles about his great
vexation at his friend's disappointment.

'I am almost sorry you threw out that hint about Mr. Fielder,' said she.
'Don't you remember how he was recommended?'

'Ah! I had forgotten it was Philip's doing; a bit of his spirit of
opposition,' said Charles. 'Were not the boys to have gone to Coombe
Prior?'

'Yes' said Amabel, 'that is the thing that seems to have ma