Don't you know, Nan," in
her sweet whimsical voice, "that the masculine mind loves to conjugate
the verb 'to amuse'? Mr. Drummond is evidently bored by his own
company; but there! the vagaries of men are innumerable. One might as
well question the ebbing tide as inquire of these young divinities the
reason of all their eccentric actions. He comes because we amuse him,
and we like to see him because he amuses us: and when he bores us, we
can tell him so, which is better than Canute and the waves, after
all." And of course, after this, Nan was compelled to drop the
subject.

But she watched Phillis anxiously; for she saw that the girl was
restless and ill at ease. The thoughtful gray eyes had a shadow in
them. The bright spirits were quenched, and only kindled by a great
effort; and, as the time for their leaving the Friary grew closer day
by day, until the last week approached, she flagged more, and the
shadow grew deeper.

"If he would only speak and end all this suspense!" thought Nan, who
knew nothing of the real state of things, and imagined that Mr.
Drummond had cared for Phillis from the first.

They had already commenced their packing. Sir Harry was back in his
hotel, solacing himself with his cousin's company, and writing brief
letters to his homely little bride-elect, when one fine afternoon he
met them and Grace just starting for the shore.

This was their programme on most afternoons, and of course they had
not gone far before Captain Middleton and his father and sister joined
them; and a little later on, just as they were entering the town, they
overtook Mr. Drummond.

Phillis nodded to him in a friendly manner, and then walked on with
Grace, taking no further notice; but when they were on the shore,
admiring the fine sunset effect, Grace quietly dropped her arm and
slipped away to join the others. Phillis stood motionless: her eyes
were riveted on the grand expanse of sky and ocean. "It is so like
life," she said at last, not seeing who stood beside her, while all
the others were walking on in groups of twos and threes, Dulce close
to the colonel, as usual. "Do you see those little boats, Grace? one
is sailing so smoothly in the sunlight, and the other scarcely
stirring in the shadow,--brightness to some, you see, and shade to
others; and beyond, that clear line of light, like the promise of
eternity."

"Don't you think it lies within most people's power to make their own
lives happier?" returned A