heard me say?"

"That you wanted a colleague, or a companion of some sort; and as I was the only useless person here, I offered myself."

"In good faith?"

"In good faith!—why not? I am more likely to gain by the association than you are; at least, if you can only be as pleasant of a morning as you were yesterday at dinner."

"I 'll try," said he, springing to his feet; "and as a success in these efforts is mainly owing to the amount of zeal that animates them, I am hopeful."

"Which means a flattery at the outset," said she, smiling.

"Only as much as your friend Mr. Withering would throw out to dispose the court in his favor; and now, which way shall we walk? Are you to be the guide, or I?"

"You, by all means, since you know nothing of the locality."

"Agreed. Well, here is my plan. We cross the river in this boat, and take that path yonder that leads up by the waterfall. I know, from the dark shadow of the mountain, that there is a deep glen, very wild, very romantic, and very solemn, through which I mean to conduct you."

"All this means a very long excursion, does it not?"

"You have just told me that you were free from all engagement."

"Yes; but not from all control. I must ask Aunt Dinah's leave before I set out on this notable expedition."

"Do nothing of the kind. It would be to make a caprice seem a plan. Let us go where you will,—here, along the river's side; anywhere, so that we may affect to think that we are free agents, and not merely good children sent out for a walk."

"What a rebel against authority you are for one so despotic yourself!"

"I despotic! Who ever called me so?"

"Your officers say as much."

"I know from what quarter that came," said he; and his bronzed face grew a shade deeper. "That dilettante soldier, young Conyers, has given me