out forthwith, each girl watching till the coveted
glimpse had been obtained, and informing her companions of her success
by groans and exclamations.

"I see him, I do! He is staring across. He looks very ill. His hair
is quite white. Poor old man, how dull he must be!"

When it came to Chrissie's turn she stared across with undisguised
curiosity, and refused to accept her sisters' reproaches when the white
head was hurriedly withdrawn from view.

"I was the last! You had all had your turns, so I have not deprived you
of anything," she maintained. "I only meant to smile at him in a kind,
neighbourly fashion. He will look out again in a few minutes, never
fear!"

But Mr Vanburgh's face appeared no more at the window, and it seemed as
if the knowledge that he had been observed had been so unwelcome as to
put an end to his scrutiny. The girls could only comfort themselves
with the remembrance that their mother had promised to call at the
Grange during the next few weeks, when, no doubt, first-hand information
would be forthcoming about its occupant.

CHAPTER TWELVE.

NOT AT HOME!

After due consultation, Mr and Mrs Rendell decided to sanction a
private engagement between Lilias and Ned Talbot for a year to come,
with the understanding that if the young people remained of the same
mind, no objection would then be put in the way of their speedy
marriage; and as they would be allowed to correspond, and to meet as
often as opportunity offered, the decision was received with
satisfaction by the lovers. Lilias complacently settled to be married
in fifteen months' time, and was resigned to a probation sweetened by
the receipt of constant letters, presents, and adulation; while Ned,
with characteristic honesty, confessed in his own heart that he had no
very deep acquaintance with his beloved's character, and that he could
not be better employed than in the study of the same. Lilias's
exquisite girlish beauty had so dazzled his senses, that he had been shy
and ill at ease in her presence, and their conversations together had
been of the lightest, most impersonal nature. It would be an entrancing
occupation to discover all the hidden charms possessed by this sweetest
of created beings; for, like most young men, Ned was convinced that a
lovely body must needs be an index to a lovely mind, and that beauty of
face was but a reflection from the soul within. Every month that passed
would draw Lilias and himself