and by what route.

"I came out in a yacht; stopping a few days at Gibraltar, and a week at
Malta."

"Had you pleasant weather?"

"After we got clear of the Channel, excellent weather."

"You came alone, I suppose?"

"Quite alone."

"How do you get on without your dear friend Effingdale, or your
'familiar,' Upton?"

Norwood colored a little at a question the drift of which he felt
thoroughly, but tried with a laugh to evade an answer.

"Are they in England? I thought I read their names at the Newmarket
meeting?" asked she, after waiting in vain for a reply.

"Yes; they were both at Newmarket," replied he, shortly.

"Was it a good meeting?"

"I can scarcely say so," rejoined he, attempting a laugh. "My book
turned out very unfortunately."

"I heard so," was the short reply; and in a tone so dry and significant
that a dead silence followed.

"Pretty spaniel, that," said Norwood, trying a slight sortie into the
enemy's camp. "A present, I suppose, from Midchekoff?"

"Yes."

"It is not clean bred, however, no more than his late master. Have you
seen much of the Prince?"

"He comes here every evening, after the Opera."

"What a bore that must be he is a most insufferable proser."

"I must say I disagree with you; I reckon him excessively agreeable."

"How changed you must be, Hes--Lady Hester."

"I believe I am, my Lord."

"And yet you look the same the very same as when we sauntered for hours
through the old woods at Dipsley." She blushed deeply; less, perhaps, at
the words, than at the look which accompanied them.

"Is this your newly found niece or cousin?" said Norwood, as he pointed
to the portrait of Kate Dal ton.

"Yes. Is n't she pretty?"

"The picture is."

"She is much handsomer, however, a charming creature in every respect,
as you will confess when you see her."

"And for what high destiny is she meant? Is she to be a Russian
Princess, a Duchessa of Italy, or the goodwife of an untitled
Englishman?"

"She may have her choice, I believe, of either of the three--."

"Happy girl!" said he half scornfully; "and when may I hope to behold so
much excellence?"

"To-day, if you like to dine here."

"I should like it much but but--"

"But what?"

"It's better to be frank at once, Hester," said he, boldly, "and say
that I feel you are grown very cold and distant toward me. This is not
your old manner, this not exactly the reception I looked for. Now, if
you have any cause for t