been mistaken; the change noted on the previous evening, had been no effect of mere chance. For some reason, however, inscrutable to her, it was evident that Walter had determined to forget the past -and there was nothing left but for Janet to do the same. Would she find the task so easy as it appeared to him? She shrank from the inevitable reply.

The clouds cleared off, the sun shone, and Janet and her sister walked out.

"Janet," said Emily, "I met Sir Henry Western in the garden, and he told me to give you these-look-Neapolitan violets." As she placed them in her sister's hand, two or three fell to the ground. Janet did not perceive the loss; she walked on, but Emily remained a moment behind; the flowers, however, were not restored to her sister.

"Janet, why do you think Sir Henry sent you these violets?"

"I suppose because they are so prettybecause he thought I should like them." "Are you sure! Is there no other reason?" Janet turned away her head. "You are a strange child, Emily! What other reason should there be?"

"It was odd to send them by me, though," said Emily, after a pause, "not to give them himself."

They were both very silent during the rest of the walk.

At luncheon, Sir Henry Western and Mr. Wright, both appeared with Lady Rutherford, but Walter Crauford was gone.

"Janet," said Lady Rutherford, some hours later, " if you have not had as much walking as you wish for already to-day, will you go with me to the school this afternoon? it will not be too far, if we cross the bridge. What do you say-will you go?"

Janet was quite ready.

VOL. III.

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"Even should I, after all, be parted from those poor children," continued Lady Rutherford, with a sigh, "that is no reason why I should neglect them as long as I am here-it is some time since I was last at the school."

Janet was much pleased to hear her friend speaking in this manner, so like her former self; besides, she flattered herself that she could trace in it, the effect of a remark made by herself some days before; and this was something satisfactory.

They walked across the Park, over the bridge, and through a narrow strip of woodland, whence they emerged into the village street; beginning slowly to climb the hill, their attention was ere long arrested by three figures on horseback, pausing at the top, a lady and two gentlemen; presently one of the latter turned his horse and rode away, while the other one, with the lady, leisurely commenced

the descent.

"Miss Campbell, and... yes, certainly and Mr. Crauford."

...

Janet looked up; there could be no doubt. Annie reined in her pony as the two parties met, and Walter, who had evidently intended to pass with no farther notice than a bow, was obliged to follow her example. After the usual greetings:

"I suppose you are very fond of riding, Miss Campbell?" observed Lady Rutherford.

"Oh, yes at least I think I shall be; but I have not been out often, and I soon get tired."

"Perhaps you have not yet quite recovered your strength, since your illness." "Perhaps not; I wished very much to have gone farther to-day, but I could not manage it, and so, as Edward is obliged to

C2

go on to Pemberley, Mr. Crauford is so good as to see me home; I am very sorry, for I have quite spoilt his ride."

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"Miss Campbell," said Walter, you must not pull Jessie's mouth in that wayshe does not like standing-if Lady Rutherford will excuse us, we had better ride on."

Lady Rutherford paused, and .looked after them, as Walter, with his hand on Annie's rein, carefully guided the pony down the rough descent. Janet was obliged to stop, and watch them too.

"Often as I have seen him lately," observed Lady Rutherford, "you will think it very strange, when I say that I have really no idea whether Mr. Crauford is handsome or not; he does not produce the impression of an actually handsome man-but he has a most charming countenance-a little stern, perhaps, occasionally-still I don't object to that. What do you think