u, Mr. Walden," said
Mrs. Newville, who ran her eyes over him, and, so far as Robert could
judge, rather liking his stalwart form and figure, while saying to
herself that he was no hawk or eagle to bear off her chicken.

"Ruth, daughter, this way, please," said Mrs. Newville.

Robert saw a young lady wearing a white muslin dress turn towards them
from a group of ladies and gentlemen; but it was not the snowy
whiteness of the garment, neither her dark brown unpowdered hair in
contrast to that of the ladies around her, that attracted his
attention, but the hazel eyes and the lips that had said, "I never
shall forget your kindness, sir."

"Mr. Walden, allow me to introduce my daughter," said Mrs. Newville.

There was a startled, wondering look in the hazel eyes. She
courtesied, with the fresh blood suffusing her cheeks.

"I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Mr. Walden," she said.

"I took the liberty of bringing him," said Berinthia. "I was sure you
would extend to him the same cordial welcome you give to everybody."

"Certainly, anybody whom you may invite will always be welcome. Mr.
Walden, shall I serve you with a cup of tea? What kind will you
take--shall it be Old Hyson, Bohea, or Twankey?"

She stood with a salver ready to serve him.

"I will take Old Hyson, if you please," he said.

The pink slippers tripped across the lawn to a table where Phillis in
white apron and cap, with smiling countenance, was pouring tea from
silver urns into dainty cups. So this was the young lady whom he had
rescued from the clutches of the villains. What should he say to her?
By no word or look must she know that he was conscious of having
befriended her.

The sun was shining through the branches of the melocotoon tree
beneath which she was standing. It seemed to him that the rich bloom
of the ripening fruit by some subtle process of nature was being
transmuted to her face. He recalled the description of the
pure-hearted damsel that welcomed the Pilgrim of Bunyan's allegory to
the beautiful palace in the land of Beulah. She soon returned bringing
with steady hand the salver with the tea, sugar-bowl, and pitcher of
cream.

"Shall I serve you with the sugar and cream, Mr. Walden?"

He could but notice the graceful movement of her deft fingers as she
picked the sugar from the bowl with the silver tongs, and poured the
cream.

"I will bring you some confections," she said, and tripped away once
more, returning with a pl