able instinct that was always
ready to be kindled in Phillis's nature prompted her to pay these
visits; and yet she always went reluctantly.

She had two encounters on the road, both of which she had foreseen
with nice presentiment.

The first was with Mr. Drummond.

He was walking along slowly, with his eyes on the ground. A sort of
flush came to his face when he saw Phillis; and then he stopped, and
shook hands, and asked after them all comprehensively, yet with
constraint in his voice. Phillis told him rather hurriedly that she
was going to the White House: Mrs. Cheyne had sent for her.

Archie smiled:

"I am glad she does not send for me. I have not been there for a long
time. Sarcasm is not an attractive form of welcome. It slams the door
in a man's face. I hope you will not get some hard hits, Miss
Challoner." And then he went on his way.

As she approached Mrs. Williams's cottage, Mr. Dancy was, as usual,
leaning against the little gate. He stepped out in the road, and
accosted her.

"I have not called on your mother," he began, rather abruptly. "After
all, I thought it best not to trouble her just now. Can you spare me a
few minutes? or are you going in there?" looking towards the White
House.

"I am rather in a hurry," returned Phillis, surprised at his manner,
it seemed so agitated. "I am already late, and Mrs. Cheyne will be
expecting me."

"Very well: another time," he replied, stepping back without further
ceremony; but until Phillis's figure disappeared in the trees he
watched her, leaning still upon the little gate.

Mrs. Cheyne received her with a frosty smile; but, on the whole, her
manner was more gracious than usual, and by and by it thawed
completely.

She was a little captious at first, it was true, and she snubbed poor
Miss Mewlstone decidedly once or twice,--but then Miss Mewlstone was
used to being snubbed,--but with Phillis she was sparing of sarcasms.
After a time she began to look kindly at the girl; then she bade her
talk, rather peremptorily, because she liked her voice and found it
pleasant to listen to her; and by and by Phillis grew more at her
ease, and her girlish talk rippled on as smoothly as possible.

Mrs. Cheyne's face softened and grew strangely handsome as she
listened: she was drawing Phillis out,--leading her to speak of the
old life, and of all their youthful sources of happiness. Then she
fell into a retrospect of her own young days, when she was a spoiled
m