Miss Josceline is not just now in a mood for amusement, nor even to make new acquaintances,' observed Miss Burt with severity. 'You do not appear to comprehend that she is suffering from a recent bereavement.'

'Pardon me,' returned Mr. Heyton, in a tone at once unabashed and cheerful; there is no one,' and here he touched his heart, who deplores it more than myself. But, in my poor judgment, it is better under such sad circumstances to endeavour to distract the mind by innocent and wholesome enjoyments.'

'Has His Highness expressed a wish to see Miss Josceline?' inquired Miss Burt, without taking any notice of this recipe for depressed spirits, and speaking even more scornfully than before.

'If it is quite convenient to her, I have his orders to introduce her at once,' and he turned to Ella as if to consult her wishes.

'Nay,' said Miss Burt firmly, 'I must claim for once to usurp your office, Mr. Heyton, and to conduct Miss Josceline to his presence myself.'

With a significant pressure on Ella's arm, she led her to a door at the extremity of the hall. It stood in shadow, but Ella noticed it was surmounted by a small gilt coronet. Miss Burt knocked sharply on one of its carved panels, and a voice within bade them enter.

The room to which they had thus gained admittance was somewhat remarkable. Its one window, which would otherwise have commanded the park, was entirely composed of painted glass, diffusing a sort of gaudy gloom; the walls were lined with ancient tapestry, which still further subdued the light; so that had it not been for some assistance from a skylight, itself concealed by a horizontal curtain of white silk, the objects in the apartment would hardly have been discernible. As it was, the rays from above were concentrated in a peculiar manner at the far end of the room, so as to bring out in strong relief the figure of its solitary tenant. This was a man of about five-and-forty years of age, of swarthy complexion, and with grave and glittering eyes. He had been seated at a desk covered with

ancient parchments, from which he rose with. dignity as the ladies entered, and came forward a few steps to meet them.

Your Highness, this is my niece, Miss Josceline, of whom I have had the honour to speak to you.'

Mr. Edward (to use the only name by which the terant of Barton Castle was known to his neighbours) turned on the young girl a compassionate look, which would have been almost parental save for a certain touch of condescension, and held out a large white hand.

Perhaps, in her confusion, Ella forgot the injunction that had been laid on her, or it might be that her pride revolted against obeying it; but, instead of kissing the proffered hand, she held out her own to meet it.

Mr. Edward smiled good-naturedly, as a grown person might do at a child's mistake, and pressed her fingers warmly.

I am acquainted,' he said, in tender, though somewhat sonorous tones, 'with your recent loss, Miss Josceline, and beg of

you to be assured of my most sincere sympathy. In

the quiet of Barton, and in the loving custody of your aunt, I trust you will recover in time your health and spirits. For the present, as you have doubtless been informed, we are living in great retirement, such as is hardly suitable, I fear, to youth and beauty.'

'It is most suitable, sir, to me,' said Ella quietly, and will be very welcome.'

The compliment he had paid her, though similar to that of his secretary, did not give her the same offence. The air and manner of the speaker was stately and measured, while his words seemed to partake of the nature of a general sentiment rather than to have any personal application.

I am deeply grateful,' she added, that through my aunt's good offices you have been. so good as to offer me-- She hesitated; for, in fact, she did not know what had been offered her, and she could not bring herself to say 'a situation,' as though she were the new housemaid.

Let us say a home,' put in Mr. Edward kindly, 'if, as we hope, we shall be able to

make it appear such. Miss Burt has, I hope, made it plain to you that you will be our guest so long as it suits you to remain at Barton Castle.'

'You are most kind-most generous, sir,' said Ella, deeply touched by the other's delicacy and consideration; but I trust' she was about to add some equivalent, which in her confusion she could not find, for the expression of a hope that she might be of some assistance to her aunt, when that lady pulled her by the sleeve. She then perceived that her host was once more holding out his hand to her, no doubt to indicate that the interview was over. With a sudden impulse, born less of gratitude than the desire to please, she took his extended fingers and raised them to her lips.

Mr. Edward smiled at her more benignly than ever. 6 The members of my household,' he said (in a tone that might have implied there were two hundred instead of two of them) 'generally associate together; but you will keep to your own apartments or not, as you please, Miss Josceline.'