He used to be the gentlest,
easiest, and softest of all natures,--never put out, never crossed by
anything."

"And so I 've no doubt you 'd have found him to-day if I had not been
here."

"What do you mean?"

"Surely you remarked the sudden change that came over his face when he
saw me. He thought you were alone. At all events, he never speculated on
finding me at your side."

"Indeed!" said she, with an air of half-offended pride; "and are you
reputed to be such a very dangerous person that to drive out with you
should inspire all this terror?"

"I don't believe I am," said Maitland, laughing; "but perhaps your
rustic friend might be pardoned if he thought so."

"How very subtle that is! Even in your humility you contrive to shoot a
bolt at poor Tony."

"And why poor? Is he poor who is so rich in defenders? Is it a sign of
poverty when a man can afford to dispense with all the restraints that
attach to others, and say and do what he likes, with the certainty that
it will all be submitted to? I call that wealth unbounded,--at least, it
is the one prize that money confers; and if one can have it without the
dross, I 'd say, Give me the privilege and keep the title-deeds."

"Mr. Maitland," said she, gravely, "Tony Butler is not in the least like
what you would represent him. In my life I never knew any one so full of
consideration for others."

"Go on," said he, laughing. "It's only another goldmine of his you are
displaying before me. Has he any other gifts or graces?"

"He has a store of good qualities, Mr. Maitland; they are not, perhaps,
very showy ones."

"Like those of some other of our acquaintance," added he, as if
finishing her speech for her. "My dear Mrs. Trafford, I would not
disparage your early friend--your once playfellow--for the world.
Indeed, I feel, if life could be like a half-holiday from school, he 'd
be an admirable companion to pass it with; the misfortune is that these
men must take their places in the common tournament with the rest of
us, and then they are not so certain of making a distinguished figure as
when seen in the old playground with bat and ball and wicket."

"You mean that such a man as Tony Butler will not be likely to make a
great career in life?"

His reply was a shrug of the shoulders.

"And why not, pray?" asked she, defiantly.

"What if you were to ask Mark this question? Let him give you his
impressions on this theme."

"I see what it is," cried she, warml