l it in her copper, with rain-water and
bleaching-powder (I hope you think me a tolerable laundress), it would
do him incalculable good.'

"This morning, fancying I heard her descend somewhat early, I was down
instantly. I had not been deceived. There she was, busy at work in the
breakfast-parlour, of which the housemaid was completing the arrangement
and dusting. She had risen betimes to finish some little keepsake she
intended for Henry. I got only a cool reception, which I accepted till
the girl was gone, taking my book to the window-seat very quietly. Even
when we were alone I was slow to disturb her. To sit with her in sight
was happiness, and the proper happiness, for early morning--serene,
incomplete, but progressive. Had I been obtrusive, I knew I should have
encountered rebuff. 'Not at home to suitors' was written on her brow.
Therefore I read on, stole now and then a look, watched her countenance
soften and open as she felt I respected her mood, and enjoyed the gentle
content of the moment.

"The distance between us shrank, and the light hoar-frost thawed
insensibly. Ere an hour elapsed I was at her side, watching her sew,
gathering her sweet smiles and her merry words, which fell for me
abundantly. We sat, as we had a right to sit, side by side; my arm
rested on her chair; I was near enough to count the stitches of her
work, and to discern the eye of her needle. The door suddenly opened.

"I believe, if I had just then started from her, she would have
despised me. Thanks to the phlegm of my nature, I rarely start. When I
am well-off, _bien_, comfortable, I am not soon stirred. _Bien_ I
was--_tres bien_--consequently immutable. No muscle moved. I hardly
looked to the door.

"'Good-morning, uncle,' said she, addressing that personage, who paused
on the threshold in a state of petrifaction.

"'Have you been long downstairs, Miss Keeldar, and alone with Mr.
Moore?'

"'Yes, a very long time. We both came down early; it was scarcely
light.'

"'The proceeding is improper----'

"'It was at first, I was rather cross, and not civil; but you will
perceive that we are now friends.'

"'I perceive more than you would wish me to perceive.'

"'Hardly, sir,' said I; 'we have no disguises. Will you permit me to
intimate that any further observations you have to make may as well be
addressed to me? Henceforward I stand between Miss Keeldar and all
annoyance.'

"'_You!_ What have _you_ to do with Miss Keeldar?'