lic life; but in the sanguine
moments of realization or of hope, some dark shade will step in to mar
the brightness.

Barbara stood at the drawing-room window watching for him. Not in her
was the dark shade; her dress was a marvel of vanity and prettiness, and
she had chosen to place on her fair hair a dainty headdress of lace--as
if her hair required any such ornament! She waltzed up to Mr. Carlyle
when he entered, and saucily held up her face, the light of love dancing
in her bright blue eyes.

"What do you want?" he provokingly asked, putting his hands behind him,
and letting her stand there.

"Oh, well--if you won't say good-evening to me, I have a great mind to
say you should not kiss me for a week, Archibald."

He laughed. "Who would be punished by that?" whispered he.

Barbara pouted her pretty lips, and the tears positively came into her
eyes. "Which is as much as to say it would be no punishment to you.
Archibald, _don't_ you care for me?"

He threw his arms around her and clasped her to his heart, taking plenty
of kisses then. "You know whether I care not," he fondly whispered.

But now, will you believe that that unfortunate Lady Isabel had been
a witness to this? Well, it was only what his greeting to her had once
been. Her pale face flushed scarlet, and she glided out of the room
again as softly as she had entered it. They had not seen her. Mr.
Carlyle drew his wife to the window, and stood there, his arms round her
waist.

"Barbara, what should you say to living in London for a few months out
of the twelve?"

"London? I am very happy where I am. Why should you ask me that? You are
not going to live in London?"

"I am not sure of that. I think I am for a portion of the year. I have
had an offer made me this afternoon, Barbara."

She looked at him, wondering what he meant--wondering whether he was
serious. An offer? What sort of an offer? Of what nature could it be?

He smiled at her perplexity. "Should you like to see M. P. attached to
my name? West Lynne wants me to become its member."

A pause to take in the news; a sudden rush of color, and then she
gleefully clasped her hands round his arm, her eyes sparkling with
pleasure.

"Oh, Archibald, how glad I am! I knew how you were appreciated, and you
will be appreciated more and more. This is right; it was not well for
you to remain what you are for life--a private individual, a country
lawyer."

"I am perfectly contented with my lot, Bar