my plan was to teach, in order to earn money to learn. I must find a family of little boys, to whom I can teach Latin and Greek, for an hour or two every day. My maid will walk with me to the house

"Extraordinary!" interrupted Valentine. "With the money I earn so, I can learn wood-engraving and dress-making. When I know enough of wood-engraving to practise it, and earn money by it also, I shall spend that in learning to cook-".

"Amazing!" said Valentine, changing his

word.

"I shall then begin to lead a happy life; I shall have as much to do as I can do; and, being by that time a proficient in woodcutting, I shall have a class of respectable girls, to whom I shall teach the art, and so make them independent-"

"Astounding!" cried Valentine, changing his word again.

Mr. Brandon stood stock-still, and said nothing.

"My maid will make my dress; for my reading, I shall go to the British Museum. Perhaps, in order to save money for concerts and lectures, I shall translate some French

books, and I may, perhaps, write books for children. By that time I shall leave off taking lessons in wood-cutting altogether, and, still teaching my little boys, I shall have plenty of money to spend in laying in a stock of eatables; and I shall go to some industrial school, and offer to be honorary cook there, and teach the girls to make all sorts of nice stews and puddings, and soups and pies. I shall provide the materials; and, at first, I shall give away the dishes. I shall let the girls carry them home to their mothers; then the mothers and other poor women will come to learn. I shall charge a penny a lesson, and hire a kitchen, to concoct and cook the things in; and I shall give prizes of pies to those who learn fastest."

"Frantic!" exclaimed Valentine.

I had observed, for some moments past, that Mr. Brandon had difficulty in restraining a smile, which first showed itself in the corners of his mouth, and when he chased it thence, peeped out at his eyes. He, however, did not say anything disrespectful concerning my plans; but, when I ceased to speak, remarked that he was afraid he hoped he might be mistaken-but he was afraid I was too sanguine.

Then, if I am, and if I do no good, and derive no pleasure from all these things, only think what a desirable person I shall be for papa; if, when he grows older, he should send for me to go out to California."

"Ca-li-for-nia!" said Valentine, with unfeigned contempt.

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Yes, I am almost sure it will end in my going out to California."

"And I am quite sure, D. dear," replied; Valentine, with extreme suavity, "that it will not end in your going out to California."

"Indeed!"

"For I, being your most intimate friend, and, as I may say, your most honoured adviser, you would naturally write to me first, and say, 'My valued compatriot, if I go out to this hole of a California, and dislike it, will you come and fetch me home again?' I should reply, 'No, I won't.' Consequently———

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Consequently, she would get some other swain to do her that service!" interrupted Mr. Brandon.

"Consequently," I added, "I should go, determined to be pleased, and never to come home any more."

"Consequently!" burst in Valentine, after

this double interruption, "she would think better of it, and remain at home; if she didn't" here he paused, and shook his head in a menacing fashion.

"Be calm, my dear boy," said Giles, bantering him, "this peril seems imminent, but is not to be warded off by threats or warnings. The Smilex simulata is not a plant, as I have heard, that flourishes in those diggings-all ladies are remarkably eligible' there."

Seeing me look surprised, he added, "Those wallflowers, you perceive, grow in my garden. now. I think it just as well you should know that anything you say to Valentine is sure to be in my possession the very next morning, by seven o'clock at the latest."

CHAPTER VI.

"In brief since I do purpose to marry I will think nothing to any purpose that the world can say against it."-Much Ado about Nothing.

In a week I was to leave the hospitable house where I had been entertained so long. In a week I was to begin life for myself, and as yet I had arranged nothing but this, that I was to go to Miss Tott for a fortnight, and stay longer if I chose. Valentine, always affectionate, always pleased to be with me, became more so as the time went on; there was a kind of brother and sister intimacy between us, which was partly the result of our being so much thrown together, and partly the result of his natural openness of temper and love of companionship.

"I say," he observed, as on the first day of this week we were sitting together, mounting our photographs, "if you want a maid why don't you talk to Anne Molton-the work