favourite with his hostess. Her fair, soft face was slightly turned away from the doctor, who was speaking across her to Mrs. Dale; but his eyes were on the younger lady,-eyes that even from the farther side of the large room seemed to be full of admiration.

"What do you call that then?" Captain Robin continued, as Susy lifted her beautiful eyes slyly, and fixed them on his. "But perhaps coquetry is natural to pretty women, and they don't know when they practise it."

Poor Susy! Mrs. Dale was asking the doctor after a mutual acquaintance who was in India; and, quite unconscious of the deep interest Susy took in India, Mr. Murkitroyd was relating some of his friend's experiencesexperiences by no means of a pleasant nature. "I can't understand," he added, "how ladies can stand the discomforts of Indian life; they really must be actuated by the most unselfish, sterling love to go out there." It was this that made Susy's eyes smile upon him; she had

hardly given him credit for such a sentiment before. Mr. Dale came up to carry Margaret off to the piano, where stood Johnny, biding his time. The squire left his son to turn the music, and came back to his guest.

"If you want a treat," he whispered, “go and watch Diana's arm-it's perfect."

These good people are bewitched," thought the little captain, who had seen too many perfect arms to make a marvel of one. Nevertheless he went and stood where he could have a good view of the performer; and as he stood silently observant, the experienced man of the world made another discovery.

When Margaret finished her piece, Susy took her place at the piano, and played an accompaniment, while Johnny and Margaret sang a duet; their voices blended very beautifullyrich, sweet voices, full and clear with youth and health. "I'd rather hear that than go to the opera," he said to the doctor.

Ah!" replied the latter, "so would I; the

opera

is a mistake. I should like it without all

that squalling though."

Which speech being instantly repeated, raised the laugh against Mr. Murkitroyd. Captain Robin was not to be thrown into the shade, he sat down to the piano too, and whistled a fashionable waltz, exhibiting no small skill and taste. After that, at Mr. Dale's earnest request, Susy sang, "Oft in the stilly night;" it was the squire's favourite song, and he always declared Susy to be the only person who sung it as he had heard the poet himself sing it.

Susy's voice was neither powerful nor full, but it was the sweetest, clearest thrill that ever mortal lips gave sound to, and came straight from a pure, tender heart. Even Captain Robin felt its power, and sighed as the sound ceased, as if awakened from a delicious reverie; but Mr. Murkitroyd, whose eyes had never left the singer's face while she sang, turned away as soon as she stopped, and was silent while all the rest were complimenting her. Tender

face, tender tones, tender words: they had crept and entwined themselves in and about the surgeon's soul, and the long ride home through the silent country under the moonlight sky fettered and chained them closer and faster.

Susy and Margaret slept at The Chase. The two young men smoked together before going to bed.

"Tell you what it is," said the captain confidentially; "if you are to marry Grace Exelby, you'd better be quick about it, my boy. Cousin Margaret would be a dangerous rival."

John Dale winked to himself, "What makes you say this?" he asked, with a rapid beating at his heart.

*"Never mind; I merely give a friendly warning."

"So kind of you!" said Johnny, with a laugh, meant to be easy, but which was rather embarrassed.

Captain Robin said no more, but he thought a good deal. Like all little men, he had an

ardent admiration for tall women, and he was very much struck with Margaret Shrugg.

"I'd go in for her myself," thought he, “and cut that great, hulking fellow out in no time," Johnny Dale's stalwart figure being thus maligned. "But I really couldn't sacrifice myself for a chemist's daughter, and that's all she is in the eyes of the world. Yet it's a pity for her to lose her time with that idle young fellow."

Captain Shrugg closed his eyes in the full assurance he could cut out any man twice his size in the affections of any lady; perhaps he had as little real ground for this belief as for the supposition that Johnny Dale was worshipping at Diana's shrine.

And Diana, laying her brilliant head on her pillow, said to Susy,—

"This kind of visiting is really more enjoyable than a crowded London party; isn't it? What nice, kind people these Dales are. What an enviable life is Johnny's."