power; had created the feeling
which prompted his entreaty. And to show her good faith in this promise
she asked him to wait till later in the evening, when Avice might
possibly run across to see her.

Pierston, who fancied he had won the younger Avice's interest, at least,
by the part he had played upon the rocks the week before, had a dread
of encountering her in full light till he should have advanced a little
further in her regard. He accordingly was perplexed at this proposal,
and, seeing his hesitation, Mrs. Pierston suggested that they should
walk together in the direction whence Avice would come, if she came at
all.

He welcomed the idea, and in a few minutes they started, strolling
along under the now strong moonlight, and when they reached the gates of
Sylvania Castle turning back again towards the house. After two or three
such walks up and down the gate of the castle grounds clicked, and a
form came forth which proved to be the expected one.

As soon as they met the girl recognized in her mother's companion the
gentleman who had helped her on the shore; and she seemed really glad to
find that her chivalrous assistant was claimed by her parent as an old
friend. She remembered hearing at divers times about this worthy London
man of talent and position, whose ancestry were people of her own isle,
and possibly, from the name, of a common stock with her own.

'And you have actually lived in Sylvania Castle yourself, Mr. Pierston?'
asked Avice the daughter, with her innocent young voice. 'Was it long
ago?'

'Yes, it was some time ago,' replied the sculptor, with a sinking at his
heart lest she should ask how long.

'It must have been when I was away--or when I was very little?'

'I don't think you were away.'

'But I don't think I could have been here?'

'No, perhaps you couldn't have been here.'

'I think she was hiding herself in the parsley-bed,' said Avice's mother
blandly.

They talked in this general way till they reached Mrs. Pierston's house;
but Jocelyn resisted both the widow's invitation and the desire of
his own heart, and went away without entering. To risk, by visibly
confronting her, the advantage that he had already gained, or fancied
he had gained, with the re-incarnate Avice required more courage than he
could claim in his present mood.

* * *

Such evening promenades as these were frequent during the waxing of
that summer moon. On one oc