month at least. We are all going-I mean, Miss Mowbray, and Annie, and I; so is * Bruce, I know ... you must make him introduce you." "I'll do my best," replied Walter, with a glance at Janet; and then he left them. CHAPTER XII. Then, in that time and place, I spoke to her. Requiring at her hand the greatest gift, TENNYSON. Breakfast was but just over the following morning, when Walter Crauford again appeared at Harefield. Janet was alone in the drawing-room; he entered unannounced, and the start, the blush, and the momentary embarrassment, that could not escape his quick eye, were the most precious proofs of welcome she could have bestowed. In another moment, however, other persons had entered, and Walter's attention could no longer be for Janet alone. The cottage-Edward must show him the cottage; he had come with the expectation, the express purpose of being introduced to the cottage. "Put on your bonnet, Janet," cried Annie, "we will all go." And the four young people set forward. It was a fine, mild, autumn morning; the sun was shining, but a faint mist still veiled the distance; everything was wet, drenched with dew; the lawns and meadows glittered from end to end; the dahlias bowed their gorgeous heads, heavy with moisture; the roses had all grown pale, and here and there, the yellow chesnut trees and scarlet beech, already shone in glowing contrast to the dark, dome-like elms, that formed the beauty and boast of Harefield. For awhile the party walked in one group, as chance directed, but when the path grew narrower, so that only two could occupy it together, how Walter blessed Annie for going for ward and taking her husband's arm, leaving him to follow with Janet, to talk with her, unheeded by listening ears, and lingering and loitering by the way, to draw out the delightful moments of their privacy to the greatest possible length, and the utmost limits of their companions' patience. And yet, when Edward opened the gate, leading from the meadow to the cottage garden, and called to those behind to make haste and follow, how short appeared the time, and how misused the opportunity! But now they had reached the end of their walk, and all his own plans and purposes must give way before the interests of others. Since Janet's visit with Lady Rutherford, the alterations at the cottage had progressed rapidly towards completion, and Edward and Annie, in their eagerness and enjoyment, appeared as if they could never weary of exhibiting, descanting upon, and "showing off" their future abode. Every portion of the building, inside and out, was visited and discussed; the grand question of green or crimson hangings for the diningroom was submitted to Walter's consideration, and all the pros and cons that had ever been brought forward on either side, laid before him; besides this, Edward wanted his opinion of the drawing-room chimney-piece-and what did he think about painted glass in the hall window? Then, so much of the furniture as had already arrived, must be exhibited and examined; and during all this they were hurrying to and fro, and in and out, and up and down, till at last, there being nothing more to show or to see, they all sat down under the verandah, to look at the view. After a short time, finding that their presence there interfered with the workmen, it was judged expedient to take leave of the little domain, which they |