ures.

"I had told Lord Culduff so much about your cottage, Julia," said
Marion, "that he insisted on coming to see it, without even apprising
you of his intention."

"It is just as well," said she artlessly. "A little more or less sun
gives the only change in its appearance. Lord Culduff sees it now as it
looks nearly every day."

"And very charming that is," said he, walking to the window and looking
out. And then he asked the name of a headland, and how a small rocky
island was called, and on which side lay the village of Portshandon, and
at what distance was the church, the replies to which seemed to afford
him unmixed satisfaction; for, as he resumed his seat, he muttered
several times to himself, "Very delightful indeed; very pleasing in
every way!"

"Lord Culduff was asking me, as he came-along," said Marion, "whether
I thought the solitude--I think he called it the savagery of this
spot--was likely to be better borne by one native to such wildness, or
by one so graced and gifted as yourself, and I protest he puzzled me."

"I used to think it very lonely when I came here first, but I believe I
should be sorry to leave it now," said Julia, calmly.

"There, my Lord," said Marion, "you are to pick your answer out of
that."

"As to those resources which you are so flattering as to call my gifts
and graces," said Julia, laughing, "such of them at least as lighten
the solitude were all learned here, I never took to gardening before; I
never fed poultry."

"Oh, Julia! have mercy on our illusions!"

"You must tell me what they are, before I can spare them. The curate's
sister has no claim to be thought an enchanted princess."

"It is all enchantment!" said Lord Culduff, who had only very
imperfectly caught what she said.

"Then, I suppose, my Lord," said Marion, haughtily, "I ought to rescue
you before the spell is complete, as I came here in quality of guide."
And she rose as she spoke. "The piano has not been opened to-day, Julia.
I take it you seldom sing of a morning?"

"Very seldom, indeed."

"So I told Lord Culduff; but I promised him his recompense in the
evening. You are coming to us to-morrow, ain't you?"

"I fear not. I think George made our excuses. We are to have Mr.
Longworth and a French friend of his here with us."

"You see, my Lord, what a gay neighborhood we have; here is a rival
dinner-party," said Marion.

"There's no question of a dinner; they come to tea, I assure you," said
Ju