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'No wonder But remember, I have not lived here since I was nine years old I then went to live with my uncle, a blacksmith, near Exonbury, in order to be able to attend a national school as a day scholar; there was none on this reht And when I was fifteen and had been fairly educated by the school-ht--I was put as a pupil in an architect's office in that town, because I was skilful in the use of the pencil A full premiuainst the wishes of Lord Luxellian, who likes reat deal of hio, when I obtained a situation as improver, as it is called, in a London office That's all of me'

'To think YOU, the London visitor, the town e so e it seems to me!' she murmured

'My mother curtseyed to you and your father last Sunday,' said Stephen, with a pained sruity 'And your papa said to her, "I aular at church, JANE"'

'I remember it, but I have never spoken to her We have only been here eighteen e'

'Contrast with this,' said Stephen, with a h, 'your father's belief in my "blue blood," which is still prevalent in hismy descent from one of the most ancient west-county families, on account of iven ardener in the Fitz seen your face, , I had not heart to contradict him, and tell hie of you'

She sighed deeply 'Yes, I see no this inequality may be made to trouble us,' she murmured, and continued in a low, sad whisper, 'I wouldn't have ht have consented to an engageers a hundred miles off; remoteness softens family contrasts But he will not like--O Stephen, Stephen! what can I do?'

'Do?' he said tentatively, yet with heaviness 'Give o back to London, and think no more of me'