with an arm thrust through each of hers. Mr. Shepherd's holy calling
and spiritual appearance stood him in small stead here; and the
blackest interpretation was put on the matter of the visit.

"Nice things you'll be up to, the pair of you--oh, my aunt!" ejaculated
Maria.

"I think it's beastly risky her going at all," filled in Kate Horner,
gobbling a little; for her upper lip overhung the lower. "These saints
are oftenest bad 'uns."

"Yes, and with an Aunt Sally like that for a wife.--Now look here,
Kiddy, just you watch you're not left alone with him in the dark."

"And mind, you've got to tell us everything--every blessed thing!"

Laura was called for, on Saturday morning, by the maiden sister of her
divinity. Miss Isabella Shepherd was a fair, short, pleasant young
woman, with a nervous, kindly smile, and a congenital inability to look
you in the face when speaking to you; so that the impression she made
was that of a perpetual friendliness, directed, however, not at you,
but at the inanimate objects around you. Laura was so tickled by this
peculiarity, which she spied the moment she entered the waiting-room,
that at first she could take in nothing else. Afterwards, when the
novelty had worn off, she subjected her companion to a closer scrutiny,
and from the height of thirteen years had soon taxed her with being a
frumpish old maid; the valiant but feeble efforts Miss Isabella made to
entertain her, as they walked along, only strengthening her in this
opinion.

Not very far from the College they entered a small, two-storied stone
house, which but for an iron railing and a shrub or two gave right on
the street.

"Will you come up to the study?" said Miss Isabella, smiling warmly,
and ogling the door-mat. "I'm sure Robby would like to see you at once."

Robby? Her saint called Robby?--Laura blushed.

But at the head of the stairs they were brought up short by Mrs.
Shepherd, who, policeman-like, raised a warning hand.

"Hssh ... ssh ... sh!" she breathed, and simultaneously half-closed her
eyes, as if imitating slumber. "Robby has just lain down for a few
minutes. How are you, dear?"--in a whisper. "I'm so pleased to see you."

She looked even more faded than in church. But she was very kind, and
in the bedroom insisted on getting out a clean towel for Laura.

"Now we'll go down.--It's only lunch to-day, for Robby has a
confirmation-class immediately afterwards, and doesn't care to eat
much."

They des