"It is every one's business to see that they do not die therefrom without help," said Rosalie smiling. "No it isn't-" said the doctor. "Not yours.

Nonsense!"

"I am putting the business into your hands now, sir." "But if I go," said the doctor, "you know I should despatch him, the first thing. Immense saving of trouble.” "I will trust you, sir, with many thanks.'

"I haven't promised to go yet," said Dr. Buffem. "I've got two ladies and three gentlemen to attend to. Real ladies who don't know that hackney coachmen have souls, and gentlemen who don't know much about their. own. Think of that!"

-

"I don't like to think of it, sir-nor of them. And now I will not break up business hours any further. Dr. Buffem-"

"Yours to command!" said the doctor, bowing.

But the cheek flushed a little, and she stood hesitating. "Out with it!" said the doctor. "I know you are going to say something very impertinent."

"These people are very poor," she said, colouring more and more, "and-"

66

Hackney coachmen that drink always are," said the doctor sententiously.

"And-if-Will you please send your bill to me, sir ?" "That you may break the amount to them by degrees ?" said the doctor, looking at her across the finger and thumb which held a prepared pinch of snuff.

"Yes, if you choose to think so," she said laughing. "Only send it to me.'

"I'll be-no matter what-if I do!" said Dr. Buffem. "Take yourself off, Miss Rosalie, and don't come here fooling old doctors. Here have you and your hackney coachman cost me more snuff than you'll ever bring me in. I've a great mind to make you pay interest in advance."

But Rosalie negatived that and moved towards the door. "It always puts me out of patience to be cheated!" said the doctor, following her. "See here-what's become of that boy who used to be always tied to your apron string? Have you seen him since he came home ?"

"Only once, sir."

"So ho!-only once.' How did you know what boy I meant?-recognise the description, don't you? I'll send you some fever powders when you get home. Ah, I thought I'd have my revenge. Talk to me of hackney coachmen, indeed! It'll be a large bill!-tremendous !" The hour was late and dinner waiting when Rosalie reached home. Hulda was waiting too.

"O Alie, why didn't you come before? Here has been that nice gentleman again; and there are two notes in the parlour."

66

Well, let me take off my bonnet, and then I will see to the notes."

They were two, as Hulda had said—one to herself, the other to Thornton. The style and address of the one were peculiar, and Rosalie thought she remembered having seen it before, thought she recollected that a similar invitation (as this looked to be) had kept her brother out much later than usual one night, and had been followed by days of peculiar distaste for home and her society. She would have given anything to put the note in that bright blaze before her ere Thornton came in. For a moment the temptation was so strong that she thought she would do it,-thought she would risk anything to keep him even for once out of bad company. But she remembered that underhand dealings became not her, and could not benefit him in the long run,—she must let things have their way, and patiently wait and hope. With a half sigh she heard her brother come in, and felt the note taken from her hand.

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"What are you doing with my despatches ?" he said. Holding them safe-and wanting very much to put them in the fire."

"I should like to see you do that," said Thornton, as he refolded the note and put it in his pocket. "What

is the other ?"

"Not much—a request from Mrs. Raynor that I will spend to-morrow with her."

"And

"No."

you will ?"

Why not ?"

"I do not wish to go."

"I wonder if your foot ever trembles on the narrow bridge of truth ?" said her brother, raising her face and surveying it intently.

"Not in this case. But don't you wish to go to

dinner ?"

"Well, I certainly might be hungry," said Thornton, as he followed her, "for I have been parading and walking in the most exemplary and orthodox manner-quite à-la-bon fils. Where have you been ?"

"Where I wish you had."

"Oh, I remember, and cannot echo the wish. And you have been working yourself up to some untenable point of perfection, I suppose-à-la-vraie femme.

Only untenable to the people who never occupy it." By the way," said Thornton, "just for the fun of the thing, I think I will have a party upon the proposed plan; only I shall not fail to proclaim to the company whose hospitable thought' contrived it all."

"I had company this morning," said Hulda, who thought she had been long enough unnoticed.

"Indeed!" said her brother. "Was it a wasp or a yellow-jacket ?"

"He didn't wear a yellow jacket at all," said Hulda,"it was a black one."

Thornton burst out laughing.

"If I am to have two sisters to look after," he said, "I may as well build a castle at once. I really did not know you were grown up, Hulda."

Not understanding Greek, Hulda was not in the least discomposed.

"You see, Alie, I ran on before Martha to open the door, for I thought maybe it was you; and it was Mr. Raynor."

"Mr. Raynor!" said Thornton, every particle of the laugh vanishing. "What the deuce brought him here ?" "I don't think the deuce brought him here at all," said Hulda in a very dignified manner. "I'm sure he was very pleasant, and a great deal more good-natured

than

THE MORNING CALL.

A silent play of knives and forks followed.

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"And what had Mr. Raynor to say for himself ?” inquired Thornton, when he had swallowed the first effervescence produced by this information.

"Oh, not much," said Hulda,—“nothing at all for himself. He only kissed me and asked for Rosalie." Thornton carried his fork to his mouth with more expression than is usually bestowed upon salad, but verbal remark he made none.

CHAPTER XIII.

Not for my peace will I go far,

As wanderers do, that still do roam;

But make my strengths, such as they are,

Here in my bosom, and at home.-BEN JONSON.

"MISS ARNET, ma'am," said Tom, opening the sittingroom door next morning.

"O Marion!" cried little Hulda, springing towards her, "is that you? I thought you never were coming here again."

"I began to think so myself, pet. Good morning, Alie. Good morning, Captain Thornton! I saw your troop out, and supposed you were with them."

"Good morning, Miss Arnet. I am sorry you should be disappointed, but I can soon go, if that be all."

"You are excessively stiff and disagreeable this morning!" said Marion, colouring.. "Can't one give one's cousin his title without being immediately hailed as Miss Arnet ?"

"It is in the nature of ice to freeze, nevertheless," said Thornton.

"Alie," said Marion, turning to her, "I came to borrow this child-will you let her go ?"

"Ah, please do!" said Hulda who was bestowing on Miss Arnet a small hundred of kisses. "I always like to go with you, Marion. But why don't you come here used to ?—when we all love you so much."

as you

"Are you sure you do?" said Marion.

"Alie, you

haven't spoken to me yet, except with those violet eyes of yours. Will you let Hulda go

"Yes, and glad. She is too quiet here with me sometimes."

"Oh no I'm not," said Hulda. "But I like to go, too." "Then run and get ready, pet-get your bonnet, I mean. Don't put on another frock-I'll lace-ruffle you if it is necessary."

'Why do you plague yourself with that child ?" said Thornton.

"I do not plague myself with that child. Of all the children I ever saw, she is the least of a plague."

"Your experience differs widely from mine."

"You have not studied the subject of counterpoise, Captain Thornton. Things to love one in this world are not so plenty that one can afford to put out the fire of a child's affection, for fear it should now and then fill the room with smoke."

"Very rhetorically expressed," said Thornton; "and quite in Rosalie's style. I should think she had been giving you lessons."

"She gives me a great many that I do not take," said Marion with a sudden change of expression,-" I wish I had ever been more ready to learn! I wish all the world were like her! Alie, my dear, what do you do to me? When you are silent I feel reproved for speaking, and when you speak I feel reproved for the way I have spoken. Your power is like nothing but the old fashion of a lock of hair round a love-letter-very strong, because nobody would break it. One would have small compunction about filing a chain in two; but who could struggle against such a lock as this ?"

"You are riding off too fast on your simile," said her cousin. "The hair bound up only the lady's own thoughts -and was destined to be untied, after all."

"By the proper person," said Marion. "Oh yes-and I expect to see your power in other hands than your own, by and by. Which is the thing of all things that Thornton least likes to hear. I would not for something be the man to encounter him in such circumstances."