y reason for such an interest in me."

"Oh, Tony," broke in the widow; but Maitland interrupted, and said:
"It's easy enough to explain. Your mother and myself have grown, in
talking over a number of common friends, to fancy that we knew each
other long ago. It was, I assure you, a very fascinating delusion for
me. I learned to recall some of the most cherished of my early friends,
and remember traits in them which had been the delight of my childhood.
Pray forgive me, then, if in such a company your figure got mixed up,
and I thought or fancied that I knew you."

There was a rapid eagerness in the manner he said these words that
seemed to vouch for their sincerity; but their only immediate effect was
to make Tony very ill at ease and awkward.

"Mr. Maitland has not told you, as he might have told you, Tony, that he
came here with the offer of a substantial service. He had heard that you
were in search of some pursuit or occupation."

"Pray, madam, I entreat of you to say nothing of this now; wait, at
least, until Mr. Butler and I shall know more of each other."

"A strange sort of a piece you have there," said Tony, in his confusion;
for his cheek was scarlet with shame,--"something between an old
duelling-pistol and a carbine."

"It 's a short Tyrol rifle, a peasant's weapon. It 's not a very comely
piece of ordnance, but it is very true and easy to carry. I bought
it from an old chamois-hunter at Maltz; and I carried it with me this
morning with the hope that you would accept it."

"Oh, I couldn't think of it; I beg you to excuse me. I 'm much obliged;
in fact, I never do--never did--take a present."

"That's true, sir. Tony and I bear our narrow means only because there's
a sort of ragged independence in our natures that saves us from craving
for whatever we can do without."

"A pretty wide catalogue, too, I assure you," said Tony, laughing,
and at once recovering his wonted good-humor. "We have made what the
officials call the extraordinaires fill a very small column. There!"
cried he, suddenly, "is the sea-gull on that point of rock yonder out of
range for your rifle?"

"Nothing near it. Will you try?" asked Maitland, offering the gun.

"I 'd rather see you."

"I 'm something out of practice latterly. I have been leading a town
life," said Maitland, as he drew a small eyeglass from his pocket and
fixed it in his eye. "Is it that fellow there you mean? There's a far
better shot to the left,--that larg