n
who is to amuse herself by their extravagances, and then ask their
gratitude for having deceived them.

"I 'll be shot if I _am_ grateful," said he, as he threw his cigar into
the pond. "I 'm astonished--amazed--now that it's all over" (here his
voice shook a little), "that my stupid vanity could ever have led me
to think of her, or that I ever mistook that patronizing way she had
towards me for more than good-nature. But, I take it, there are scores
of fellows who have had the selfsame experiences. Here's the seat I
made for her," muttered he, as he came in front of a rustic bench. For
a moment a savage thought crossed him that he would break it in pieces,
and throw the fragments into the lake,--a sort of jealous anger lest
some day or other she might sit there with "another;" but he restrained
himself, and said, "Better not; better let her see that her civilizing
process has done something, and that though I have lost my game I can
bear my defeat becomingly."

He began to wish that she were there at that moment. Not that he might
renew his vows of love, or repledge his affection; but to show her how
calm and reasonable--ay, reasonable was her favorite word--he could be,
how collectedly he could listen to her, and how composedly reply. He
strolled up to the entrance door. It was open. The servants were busy in
preparing for the arrival of their masters, who were expected within the
week. All were delighted to see Master Tony again, and the words
somehow rather grated on his ears. It was another reminder of that same
"boyhood" he bore such a grudge against "I am going to have a look
out of the small drawing-room window, Mrs. Hayles," said he to the
housekeeper, cutting short her congratulations, and hurrying upstairs.

It was true he went up for a view; but not of the coastline to Fairhead,
fine as it was. It was of a full-length portrait of Alice, life-size,
by Grant. She was standing beside her horse,--the Arab Tony trained for
her. A braid of her hair had fallen, and she was in the act of arranging
it, while one hand held up her drooping riding-dress. There was that in
the air and attitude that bespoke a certain embarrassment with a sense
of humorous enjoyment of the dilemma. A sketch from life, in fact,
had given the idea of the picture, and the reality of the incident was
unquestionable.

Tony blushed a deep crimson as he looked, and muttered, "The very smile
she had on when she said good-bye. I wonder I neve