ve we fallen out
on that point! But you and Mrs. Blake are very different people, my
dear; with all your faults, your friends would not wish to see you
changed.'

But the dark shade of the shrubbery walk they were just entering hid the
strangely tender look that was in Michael's eyes as he said the last
words.

CHAPTER XV

MRS. BLAKE HAS HER NEW GOWN

'Thou art a girl of noble nature's crowning:
A smile of thine is like an act of grace;
Thou hast no noisome looks, no pretty frowning,
Like daily beauties of a vulgar race.
When thou dost smile, a light is on thy face,
A clear, cool kindliness, a lunar beam
Of peaceful radiance, silvering o'er the stream
Of human thought with beauteous glory,
Not quite a waking truth, nor quite a dream:
A visitation--bright though transitory.'

HARTLEY COLERIDGE.

Audrey was much disappointed by the result of her conversation with her
cousin. It was true that Michael had tried to efface the severity of his
own words by remarking that a third interview might somewhat alter his
opinion of the fascinating widow--that he might even grow to like her in
time. Audrey knew better. Michael had a certain genius of intuition; he
made up his mind about people at once, and she had never known him to
reverse his decision. As far as regarded the younger members of the
Blake family, they would still be able to work happily together. Michael
was certainly much interested in Kester; he had adopted him in the same
manner as she had adopted Mollie. It was a comfort also that he approved
of Mr. Blake. Michael had spoken of him with decided approval, and
without any stint or limit of praise; nevertheless she was well aware
that Michael would willingly have restricted their intimacy, and that he
saw with some reluctance her father's growing partiality for the young
master.

Audrey had only spoken the simple truth when she owned that Michael's
approval was necessary to her perfect enjoyment of her friend. She might
still maintain her own opinions of Mrs. Blake. Nevertheless, the first
fine flavour of her pleasure had been destroyed by Michael's severe
criticism; the delicate bloom had been impaired. She would hold fast to
her new friend; she would even be kinder to her, as though to make up
for other people's hard speeches; but much of her enthusiasm must be
locked in her own breast.

'What is the use of talkin