mountain were steep, and it was crowned with a rocky path, looking quite like a sharp point when contemplated from below. There was a jutting-out rock, rather more than half-way up, and just above this a sort of natural platform, from which the view was said to be magnificent; and it was to this point that Minna and Winifred professed themselves ambitious to attain, while Minna was not without a secret hope of persuading Lord Fortrose to let her get up to the peak above.

They started in high spirits, and the ascent seemed wonderfully easy to their young and eager feet.

Beatrice had been pleased with her drive, which proved more interesting than she had expected, and now she amused herself by trying to outstrip the ever-active Minna. This, however, was more easy than usual, as they got higher up, for Minna frequently stopped to admire the beautiful views that broke upon her sight as she surmounted the lower heights that obstructed her gaze in the valley. Once it was a lovely little bay that she discovered, no longer concealed by a projecting cliff, over whose beetling crest our heroine could now look on the blue waters below; sleeping in the shadow of its southern boundary, the little bay presented a striking contrast to the sparkling sea beyond, and it seemed unlikely that its gray-looking waters should ever equal in brilliant animation the glittering expanse that lay beneath the sunshine; but if Bessie had been near her, Minna would have told the "story" that rose up in her mind.

“Ah,” thought she, "the water in the little bay is shut up from what it loves, and from what would smile upon it, and make it smile again. The open sea

has its turn now; but never mind, poor little bay, the sun must come round to the west, and then you will glitter, not in silver, but even in gold!-only wait patiently;" and Minna smiled to herself at the smiling prospect.

"How dull the water looks in that little nook," said Lord Hazelby's voice, at her side; "it is like the colour that you objected to in my sketches of Venice, yesterday evening."

"But the sun will shine there by-and-bye."

"I suppose so. It is more fortunate than those canals, which were dark places in more ways than one. But come along, Beatrice has passed you in triumph long ago, though I wonder she is not attracted to stop and look at the view all around her."

They soon gained the desired point, from whence there was indeed a most lovely view.

Across the sea, to the south-west, the Wicklow mountains appeared like hazy clouds on the horizon; the outline of Holyhead Island was visible on the north, while a broad expanse of blue stretched far beyond it; and on the east mountains rose immediately at hand, while Snowdon was the crowning point of the landscape. Minna was delighted. Her expectations were not at all disappointed, and her love of mountain scenery was gratified.

After eating their luncheon on the projecting rock, Minna begged Lord Fortrose to go with her up to the top of the peak above, but he declared it was too steep, and though Hazelby and Herbert started boldly on the ascent, they soon returned panting with the heat and exertion, and repenting of the rash attempt, which had cost them a great deal of trouble.

The evening was cooler, and at six o'clock the party left their resting-place, and began to retrace their steps down the mountain. Minna did not forget the little bay; but when she came in sight of it again, she was rather disappointed to find that the sun was not yet low enough to endow it with all the glory she had imagined; only at the entrance was the water enlivened by the western rays, but the brightness spread gradually inward as Minna looked, and at last only the inmost recesses remained in shade; one sad thought or remembrance which even that brightness could not quite efface, thought she, pursuing her little allegory, and she passed on, only half satisfied with the fate of the little bay.

CHAPTER VII.

THE NEW YEAR.

Hark! the voice of joy and singing
In the halls of mirth and light,
Thy passing bell is ringing,

Old Year, good night! good night!

Oh! may the new year cherish

All the hopes that now are bright,

And once more ere thou perish,

Old Year, good night! good night!

Song.

THREE years had passed away. The family at Pentyre Castle had no loss, no tale of sorrow to inscribe as a record of those days; changes a few had certainly come, but only such as time must bring to the youngest and the happiest. Increased age to those whose new years are still hailed with joy and pride, the pleasures of childhood to infancy, the interests and delights of youth to those just emerging from childhood, and graver interests and yet undeveloped cares to those who guard and cherish the advancing steps of the many to whom life is yet a new lesson.

The party at Pentyre was increased by the arrival of Lady St. Melion, with her little daughter, Lady Anne, and Lady Elizabeth Fairstone, a day or two after Christmas. Hazelby had also brought with him from Oxford a friend, of whom he was very fond, Edward Greville by name, whose musical talents and

pleasant manners and conversation soon gained him favour with the rest of the family.

If my readers had joined Minna again after this two years' separation, I do not think they would have found her much altered. Bright and happy as ever, fearless of clouds for herself, and yet warmly sympathising in the troubles of other people, her tender feelings were awakened by the evident weakness and expression of pain in Lady Anne's countenance, and she endeavoured to cheer and enliven her, when the little invalid seemed inclined to fret over her hard lot in being unable to join the others to dance the New Year in.

Contrary to her mother's wishes, Lady Anne had insisted on sitting up to see the dance; but it was so evident, from the expression of her face, that the pleasure of others was pain to her, that Minna went to sit by her, and tried to divert her attention. This, however, was difficult, for the subject was recalled to the notice of both by Mr. Greville.

"Miss Raymond," said he, "I have looked for you everywhere. Do let me persuade you to come and dance the Old Year out."

No, thank you," said Minna; "I am rather tired, so I am going to be a spectator of this dance.”

"But it will be the last; it is now a quarter to twelve. You surely mean to dance the New Year in ?"

"I think that is better than dancing the Old Year out, but I really had rather do neither, so you must excuse me."

"Is your decision irrevocable ?”

"Yes," said the laughing voice of Lord Hazelby; "Miss Raymond never changes her mind, so I advise