was made, and he was delighted at having for the first time companions of his own age. Mrs. Guysbrooke was particularly kind to Margaret's children, and it often fell to Minna's lot to accompany them to the red house for games of play with Clarence. But this was less pleasant for her than for the children, as her dislike of Sir Antony had rather increased, and he was now almost always at his mother's house. Happily, however, for Minna, he went away in November, to spend the hunting season in Gloucestershire. He might have, in some degree, become aware of the estimation in which she held him, had he noticed the careful weighing of her words when he said—

"I am sorry to say this is the last time I shall have the pleasure of seeing you for some weeks, for I am going to Cirencester for hunting."

"Oh! are you?" said Minna, trying not to show how glad she was.

"And Clarence is going away, too, next week,” added Sir Antony.

"Is he? I am so sorry," said Minna, warmly.

She was very sorry to part with the dear little child; for to her natural love of children was added, in his case, pity for the gentle little creature so early deprived of a mother's care. Mrs. Guysbrooke was fond of him, and very careful of him, but she was unable to show him the fondling and caressing love which seemed peculiarly suited to his sensitive and affectionate disposition. Minna's warm manner had quite won his heart and confidence, and she was even more fond of Clarence than of her own sister's children; they had always been used to such love and gentleness, and therefore did not value, as Clarence did, the unusual

charm of Minna's manner, and his grateful affection was shown in the most winning ways. She was glad to find that her little favourite was only to be absent for three weeks, and she heartily hoped his father's absence was to be indefinitely prolonged.

About this time, Hermione Percival returned from a visit to her aunt, and soon presented herself at the Lodge to beg Minna's company in a walk. Hermione talked a great deal of the pleasure she had had during her visit, but deplored the dulness and gloom that had fallen on society in consequence of the dread of bad accounts from the seat of war.

"Almost everybody," said she, " has some friend or relations there, and I felt for the first time glad that papa had left the army."

"Yes, you must indeed feel thankful; but you know many clergymen have gone out."

"Oh! but papa is not going; there is no fear; but people really think nothing now of going out just to see their friends. I met a gentleman the other day, at the Bampfyldes', who told me he had a friend out there, and he meant to go and see him as soon as the winter was over."

66

Well, that is being a friend indeed. Who was the gentleman ?"

"Mr. Greville; but I do not know who the friend is. I was rather curious; but as he did not say, I did not like to ask; and, to tell you the truth, I was thinking how nice it must be to have a great friend, like Mr. Greville; for he is a very delightful person. I wish you knew him."

"I think I do," said Minna. "Is his Christian name Edward ?"

"I don't know; I never heard his name; but you can easily find him out, and renew your acquaintance, if you like, for he is coming to stay at Sandsclyst House, and, of course, you have been asked to the birthday party there on the 9th."

"Yes; but I did not think I should go, as Margaret has declined it for Gordon, whom I was to have taken."

"But your brother?" said Hermione.

"Yes, Margaret thinks I ought to go, as the Sands have been so kind to Frank; but he never goes to balls himself."

"No; but this will not be a ball, only an evening party."

"Much the same, in fact, you know, it will be.”

"But do go, whether he does or not. Mamma means to ask you to go with us, and I am quite bent upon it."

"Mrs. Percival is very kind, and going with you would be very pleasant, but

'Now, no more 'buts.' I shall ask Mrs. Maitland to make you go, and then you will be very much obliged to her for deciding."

Oh! to call back the days that are not,

Mine eyes were blinded, your words were few;
Dost thou know the truth, now up in heaven,
Douglas, Douglas, tender and true!

"OH, that wretched ball!"

Thus did Minna afterwards characterize the party at Sandsclyst.

Margaret thought the change would be good for Minna, who also herself was the less averse to going, as the prospect of seeing a face she had known at Pentyre was a singularly attractive one, and she hoped Mr. Greville might tell her something of this friend of his, for whom she was at no loss to find a name.

Accordingly she set out with Mrs. Percival and Hermione, early in the afternoon of the ninth of November, for Sandsclyst, which was, as has been before stated, about five miles from Guysbrooke.

The drive was a pleasant one. Minna always enjoyed being with Mrs. Percival, whose kind and natural manner, and real good sense, more than compensated for her want of the cleverness that Hermione valued so highly.

Just as the carriage came in sight of Sandsclyst village, they met a gentleman on horseback, who, on recognising the carriage, stopped it, and, riding up to the window, said, without further preface

R