and seated herself with her work at a little distance from the pianoforte. Anne, who was near her, looked up as if to make a remark. “Don't speak," said Minna, under her breath.

But at that moment Lady Fortrose said aloud—

"I dare say Minna will sing the other part, and then you can sing the first, Lady Maria. Come, Minna !”

Minna rose and went to the piano; she liked singing second, and did it very well, and was thankful to stand where her aunt did not see her. The song was very successful. Minna looked perfectly calm, but very pale. She knew her part by ear, and employed herself in thinking while she sang it, so that she left off with an excessively grave face, and Winifred found herself involuntarily applying again those words—

"Serene, and resolute, and still, and calm, and self-possessed."

CHAPTER XIX.

LOVE AND DUTY.

Oh! many a shaft at random sent
Finds mark the archer little meant,
And many a word at random spoken

May soothe or wound a heart that's broken.
Lord of the Isles.

Go from me. Yet I feel that I shall stand
Henceforward in thy shadow;

And when I sue

God for myself, He hears that name of thine,
And sees within my eyes the tears of two.

MRS. E. B. BROWNING.

THE next two or three days passed in the same sort of way, Minna becoming more used to the trial, and Anne more hopeful, as she saw how calm Minna was. Anne's fidelity had been put to the proof by Hazelby, who asked her one day if she knew how he had offended Minna.

"Offended her! You have not, have you?" said Anne.

"I did not know it," said he ;

"but I see she is very much vexed at something; and as she avoids speaking

to me,

I think I must have offended her."

"Oh, no! that is not it, I assure you," said Anne. "Then what is it? Is anything the matter?" "Minna is not vexed; it is all your imagination." "Perhaps it is also my imagination that your cheeks

have more colour than usual. How do you account for that, Lady Anne? You don't generally blush when I speak to you."

"Oh, Hazelby! don't be unkind, and don't ask me questions, for I can't tell you."

"Then there is something to tell. Is Miss Raymond unhappy, or are you? Now don't cry, Anne. I did not mean to vex you; but I might help you."

"Oh, no, you cannot. I told her you would, but it is no use; and don't be angry with Minna, she is so good."

"I am not angry-what nonsense; but why will she not speak to me?"

"She will of course she will, only 'Well, what?"

"If you would just not talk about next summer,” said Anne, imploringly.

"Next summer! Why, what is the objection to next summer? You are mysterious, Anne."

"I cannot help it, I cannot tell you, so please don't ask me any more," said Anne, very earnestly.

Hazelby looked at her with a puzzled expression, and presently went out of the room, not at all satisfied with the result of his investigations.

A long walk was proposed that same morning. Anne, of course, could not go; but all the rest of the young party accompanied Lord Fortrose.

It was one of those soft, brilliant days that often occur towards the end of January, when the atmosphere is so clear, the sun so bright, and the blue of sea and sky so deep and pure, that one can scarcely believe the winter is not gone. The party set out immediately after breakfast, to get the best of the day.

Their course lay round the edge of the cliffs, where a road had once been levelled, but here and there it had broken away, and the rude path cut in the rock was often rugged and dangerous, being, besides, extremely narrow. Hazelby and Herbert, who knew the way well, acted as guides, and were ready to help in any difficulty.

Minna was happier than she had felt since the receipt of the fatal letter. Susceptible as she always was of the influence of fine weather and beautiful scenery, this bright cheering day gave an almost spring-like tone to her feelings, and she succeeded for some time in banishing the thoughts that would have embittered her enjoyment. This was rendered the more easy because Mr. Greville was generally near her, and while he gratified her by his admiration of the scenes she loved, there was nothing in conversation with him that could touch too nearly either on her past or future life.

Beatrice and Lord Ralegh soon separated themselves from the rest of the party, and turned homewards by a short cut.

Herbert scrambled up and down the cliff, in all possible and apparently impossible places; and attached himself sometimes to Lady Maria, with whom he was much fascinated, and sometimes to Minna and his father, who, with Mr. Greville, were rather behind the others.

Minna was quite enlivened by Herbert's high spirits, and very much amused by his admiration of Lady Maria, who was just the sort of lively beauty to charm a boy of fifteen. He joined Minna in the course of the walk, and detained her behind the rest of the

party, to expatiate on the loveliness of his favourite, and to complain that Hazelby would keep her in conversation, so that he could not get in a word.

Minna was so very glad to see Hazelby engaged with any one but herself, that she could not sympathize very warmly in Herbert's grievance; and she was sorry when he made an excuse for calling to Hazelby, and demanding why he walked so fast that they could not keep up with him. Thereupon he and Lady Maria stopped, and turning back advanced a few steps to meet the others.

66

Why, Herbert," said Hazelby, "I thought you liked walking fast."

"Yes; but you are so unsociable, keeping such miles in front."

"I really did not know we were walking so fast," said Lady Maria.

"but

"I did not think you were," said Minna; Herbert was anxious for your society, I believe. It was too bad of him to call you back."

"I suppose I ought to be grateful for the compliment," said Lady Maria, with a smile; but she did not look grateful, and Minna felt vexed with Herbert.

They now arrived at a place where the path had broken away, so that it was necessary to go down a steep descent, and come up again by a very rugged track on the other side. There was only room for one person at a time; and as the cliff descended perpendicularly from the edge of the path to the beach some hundred feet below, it was extremely dangerous.

Hazelby went first, and came back, saying it was quite practicable, if the ladies would trust themselves to his guidance.