d herself quickly, however,
and said with even more than her ordinary kindliness of tone and manner
towards the scholar, "I am so glad to see and congratulate you."

"And I so glad to receive your congratulations," answered the scholar in
smooth, slow voice, without a stutter.

"But, George, how is this?" asked Lady Montfort. "Bring that chair,
sit down here, and tell me all about it. You wrote me word you were
cured,--at least sufficiently to re move your noble scruples. You
did not say how. Your uncle tells me, by patient will and resolute
practice."

"Under good guidance. But I am going to confide to you a secret, if you
will promise to keep it."

"Oh, you may trust me: I have no female friends."

The clergyman smiled, and spoke at once of the lessons he had received
from the basketmaker.

"I have his permission," he said in conclusion, "to confide the service
he rendered me, the intimacy that has sprung up between us, but to you
alone,--not a word to your guests. When you have once seen him, you will
understand why an eccentric man, who has known better days, would shrink
from the impertinent curiosity of idle customers. Contented with his
humble livelihood, he asks but liberty and repose."

"That I already comprehend," said Lady Montfort, half sighing, half
smiling. "But my curiosity shall not molest him, and when I visit the
village, I will pass by his cottage."

"Nay, my dear Lady Montfort, that would be to refuse the favour I am
about to ask, which is that you would come with me to that very cottage.
It would so please him."

"Please him! why?"

"Because this poor man has a young female grandchild, and he is so
anxious that you should see and be kind to her, and because, too, he
seems most anxious to remain in his present residence. The cottage, of
course, belongs to Lord Montfort, and is let to him by the bailiff, and
if you deign to feel interest in him, his tenure is safe."

Lady Montfort looked down, and coloured. She thought, perhaps, how false
a security her protection, and how slight an influence her interest
would be; but she did not say so. George went on; and so eloquently,
and so touchingly did he describe both grandsire and grandchild, so
skilfully did he intimate the mystery which hung over them, that Lady
Montfort became much moved by his narrative; and willingly promised to
accompany him across the park to the basketmaker's cottage the first
opportunity. But when one has sixty guests