Could it be. in answer to such a mood that there came a crashing through the brushwood and the trampling of a horse's feet, and Thomasina looked up to see Edward Noel riding down the woodland path? That the meeting was equally unexpected by both was very plain, and that the first feeling of surprise was quickly lost in pleasure was at least equally evident. Noel pulled up his horse for a moment, and then rode up to her and dismounted.

'I learned at one of the lodges that I might ride this way without going too near the house, but I did not expect to see you, see you, Miss

Bertram.'.

'Nor I you. Are you staying at Ash

leigh?'

'No; in fact, the Camdens do not know that I am in the neighbourhood. I have

brought my horse down to Marston Abbas, where the inn is very fair, and I intend to

hunt in this country for the next three months.' It was with evident embarrassment that Noel thus accounted for his appearance, and Thomasina found it infectious.

'I did not know that you cared for hunting?' she said shyly.

'I am not keen about sport, like my cousin Harry.'

'And I thought that you were to select your "low Radical borough" and begin to canvass it in November?'

'You have a good memory, Miss Bertram. But it is still doubtful whether there will be a dissolution in the spring, and I can safely defer my canvassing until February.'

'I have nearly finished the "Wealth of Nations," said Thomasina abruptly.

'I heard that you had begun it; my cousin gave me your message. Do you know,' Edward Noel added, with a smile of peculiar brightness, 'that it was that message

which decided my inclination to come down to Marston Abbas ?'

There was no answering smile on Thomasina's face. She had a good deal of what was euphuistically termed the Bertram temperament-in plainer words, obstinacy—and since she had settled it with herself that she was in love with Robin Windsor, even in some sort engaged to him, she did not care to have this conviction disturbed by words which made her heart beat with unruly vehemence.

Can

I direct you how to make a round of the park?' she said gravely; 'I must be walking homewards.'

you,

I should like to walk a little way with.

if I knew what to do with this animal.'

Shall I lead him for you?' said Thomasina, smiling now, for Noel did not appear to be on perfectly easy terms with his horse, which was not alarmingly spirited.

You are severe upon me,' he replied,

slipping the horse's rein through his arm and continuing to walk by her side. 'You know that it is not given to every man to be born and bred in a hunting country.'

'You are very much mistaken, Mr. Noel, if you imagine that, because I like the exercise, I care for the society of hunting men. I think that there is nothing more vapid than their talk as such.'

'Then you will be tolerant of my shortcomings in a new rôle. You will not expect me to hunt four days a week, to time all the quick runs, and to note the good points of my own horses and the bad points of my neighbours'. Do you think that I may hope to make Sir Richard Bertram's acquaintance?'

He will be very glad to see you,' said Thomasina, and I hope that you will also know my father and Mrs. Bertram, who live on the outskirts of the park.'

'At which house are you to be found, Miss Bertram ?'

'I live with my grandfather,' said Thomasina. She was not sorry that the roads here diverged, and that the gate through which she must pass was too narrow to admit Noel's horse. She was pleased that he had come into the neighbourhood, and not displeased to believe that he came for her sake, but she did not wish that his motive should be so broadly hinted, and she thought that it might be best for both that they should meet for the future in general society.