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"I a to say that she feared

Winterborne--the giver of the purse years before--had not h he had all the other three; but she detero no further in this direction, and was silent

These half-revelations made a perceptible difference in Fitzpiers His

sense of personal superiority wasted away, and Grace assumed in his

eyes the true aspect of a ard

"Miss Melbury," he said, suddenly, "I divine that this virtuous man you

mention has been refused by you?"

She could do no otherwise than adood reason God forbid that I should kneel

in another's place at any shrine unfairly But, one,about that!" she cried, quickly "Because when

a man has been refused you feel pity for hi coeon's eyes: it rendered her adorable "But cannot you say?" he

pleaded, distractedly

"I'd rather not--I think I o home at once"

"Oh yes," said Fitzpiers But as he did not ht away froether A

diversion was created by the accident of two birds, that had either

been roosting above their heads or nesting there, tu one over the

other into the hot ashes at their feet, apparently engrossed in a