nything
pleases me that promises my sister's happiness, and I have known your
cousin nearly as long as you have. It will be a very long engagement,
for he must make his way first. The dear boy is not nearly as wealthy as
he supposed; having no tastes, and hardly any expenses, he used to talk
as if he were a millionaire. He must at least double his income before
he can dream of more intimate ties. This has been a bitter pill, but I
am glad to say that they have accepted it bravely.

Hoping that you and Mrs. Silt will profit by your week at Margate.-I
remain, yours very sincerely,

Herbert Pembroke

Cadover, Wilts.

Dear Miss Pembroke,--Agnes--

I hear that you are going to marry my nephew. I have no idea what he is
like, and wonder whether you would bring him that I may find out. Isn't
September rather a nice month? You might have to go to Stone Henge, but
with that exception would be left unmolested. I do hope you will manage
the visit. We met once at Mrs. Lewin's, and I have a very clear
recollection of you.--Believe me, yours sincerely,

Emily Failing

X

The rain tilted a little from the south-west. For the most part it fell
from a grey cloud silently, but now and then the tilt increased, and
a kind of sigh passed over the country as the drops lashed the walls,
trees, shepherds, and other motionless objects that stood in their
slanting career. At times the cloud would descend and visibly embrace
the earth, to which it had only sent messages; and the earth itself
would bring forth clouds--clouds of a whiter breed--which formed in
shallow valleys and followed the courses of the streams. It seemed the
beginning of life. Again God said, "Shall we divide the waters from the
land or not? Was not the firmament labour and glory sufficient?" At all
events it was the beginning of life pastoral, behind which imagination
cannot travel.

Yet complicated people were getting wet--not only the shepherds. For
instance, the piano-tuner was sopping. So was the vicar's wife. So were
the lieutenant and the peevish damsels in his Battleston car. Gallantry,
charity, and art pursued their various missions, perspiring and muddy,
while out on the slopes beyond them stood the eternal man and the
eternal dog, guarding eternal sheep until the world is vegetarian.

Inside an arbour--which faced east, and thus avoided the bad
weather--there sat a complicated person who was dry. She looked at the
drenched world with a pleased ex