ountered him coming out
of his hotel, and they had spent a pleasant hour together talking about
many things; and this conversation had raised Mr. Sinclair very much in
Bessie's estimation, and her interest was warmly reciprocated.

"You have never had a friend I liked so well as I do Miss Lambert," he
said, as he and Edna were walking together. "She is a genuine
girl--absolutely true, and without any pretense or nonsense."

"Daisy is a dear little thing, and I am as fond of her as possible. I am
so glad you like her, Neville," and Edna looked very pleased.

Mr. Sinclair left on the following morning, and in the afternoon Miss
Shelton arrived. She was a pleasant-looking woman, with a tranquil face
and silvery-gray hair, and Bessie was prepossessed in her favor at once.
She was evidently warmly attached to her old pupil, and the news of her
reconciliation with her lover filled her with unbounded satisfaction,
and her congratulations were very hearty.

"I have lived a great many years in the world," she said, "but I have
never seen two better young men than Mr. Sinclair and Mr. Richard."

They were sitting round the fire in the twilight as Miss Shelton made
this little speech; they had come in from their drive half an hour ago;
the tea things had just been taken away, and Edna was sitting on the rug
at Miss Shelton's feet.

"They are both admirable," she murmured; and this encomium on the absent
Richard gratified Bessie.

"I don't think they are to be compared," observed Mrs. Sefton, rather
superciliously. "My dear Miriam, Neville is infinitely superior. Richard
has not got Neville's brains."

"Cleverness is not everything," replied Miss Shelton. "I respect Mr.
Sinclair, and have the highest opinion of his abilities; but Mr. Richard
has always been a favorite of mine. Very few people guess how much he
has in him; but I found it out myself a long time ago."

"You and Ritchie were always good friends, dear Miss Shelton. Hush! I
hear some one in the corridor; it cannot be Neville come back;" and Edna
sprung up from her low seat with a heightened color; but as the door
opened her voice fell. "No, it is only Ritchie," in a disappointed tone.

"Whom were you expecting, Edna?" asked her brother, advancing toward the
fireside circle. "Your tone does not sound very promising for me.
Mother, you see I have taken you by surprise. Miss Shelton, I am
delighted to see you again. How do you do, Miss Lambert?" with a swift
glan