the door, to carry away the remaining gu Blanche and her father and mother, and Jane, were going to walk home. They all they should like it best. But where was A Jane? Blanche had seen her last in the servatory, looking at some new plantswas a great botanist-so she undertook to her. As she entered the drawing-room w opened into the conservatory, she could not bear a smile, as she heard the words

"That's a very sensible remark;" and foll ing the sound, she saw Mr. Brown and Aunt Ja standing beside the fountain.

"Oh! here you are, auntie, dear; we're go now."

"And quite time, too. Good-night, Brown."

Good-night! my dear Miss Wilmont.

hope we shall meet again very soon, ΤΙ

calendar. But will you allow me to see you to your carriage?"

"We're going to walk, so we need not trouble you."

"To walk! Oh, no, let me drive you at any rate; you will assuredly take cold; it is most imprudent, and my brougham is here."

A strange smile passed over Aunt Jane's face, and a tinge of colour that might have been a blush, as she said,

"Well, I thought all along it was madness.”

"Yes, yes; come with me, by all means. Will you come, too, Miss Blanche?" he said, hesitatingly.

"No, thank you, I prefer walking. Good-bye, then, auntie: you'll be home long before us." And away she ran, full of the news, to her mother, that Aunt Jane was going to be driven home by Mr. Brown! and nearly knocked down Mr. Freeling coming to meet her.

will let me, won't you?"

Of course, if he wished. And so, throug quiet lanes at early dawn, they walked hom gether.

CHAPTER XV.

YES OR NO.

May I find a woman wise,
And her wisdom not disguise ;
Hath she wit as well as will,
Double-armed she is to kill.

LANCHE was not down in time to
pour out "papa's" coffee the next

morning, but was just in time to catch him at the garden gate for a parting kiss.

It was a fresh bright October morning, the sun struggling through the mist. The busy spiders had spun in the night silver threads from tree to tree, and the dew had spangled them with diamonds which glittered in the sun; the birds were busy "telling one another" that the summer was gone, but bright days still might make them glad; and, bright as the birds and

flying down the garden to ner iatner.

"Well, Blanche, you look as fresh as a year-old," was his greeting. "How did yo your walk home, eh?"

"Now, papa, no chaff, as Ernest says, shall not give you your kiss."

"Ah! I suppose I must treasure them. I shall soon have none, they'll be all gone.

"Papa, be quiet," and Blanche effect stopped his mouth by kissing it very ferve and flying back into the house before he d speak another word.

Aunt Jane and Mrs. Wilmont were both d when she came in.

"Well, Jane, after all, how did you like theatricals?" said Mrs. Wilmont.

Oh, very much indeed, my dear Mildred. Mrs. Wilmont and Blanche exchange glance of surprise at this unusually courte answer; and during the whole day the sa