a right good fellow, and one must be civil to them all. No, no, Kate;
with my many faults, I am a very different person from what you seem
to think. I have my hopes and wishes, certainly, but----"

I can't possibly go on to relate the conclusion of Frank's rhapsody,
but he took great pains to convince me that if there was ever a
high-principled, pure-minded, much-injured individual, that exemplary
character was the gentleman now walking by my side; and I was
convinced, but at the same time not exactly satisfied. In thinking
over the whole of our conversation, I could gather nothing very
definite, nothing that led to any particular result, from it.

One thing was clear to my mind, and that was at all events a
gratifying reflection. Frank did not seem to be aware that I had any
worldly prospects whatever: it was evident that if he liked me he
liked me entirely for myself. I confess I should not wish to be a
great heiress; I should always be fancying that it was the "fine eyes
of my casket," as the French say, which attracted my admirers, and I
could not stand that. No, Frank was not mercenary, I was sure, and if
even--why the competency I should be possessed of would be an
agreeable surprise. If, indeed! Nothing was clear, nothing was
settled. What a fool I was to dwell so upon an uncertainty, to anchor
my hopes upon a dream! I was not at all comfortable that afternoon:
the more I thought, the more I walked about my boudoir in a state of
high fidget and restlessness. One thing, however, was consolatory--the
frost was breaking. Already in London it was a decided thaw, and I
went to pay Brilliant a visit in the stable.

Now I dare say I shall be considered very bold and unladylike, and
_unfeminine_--that's the word--for owning that I do indeed enjoy
paying my favourites a visit in their comfortable quarters. It's worth
a good deal to see Brilliant's reception of me when I approach his
stable. From the instant I enter his abode and he hears my voice, he
begins to move restlessly to and fro, whisking his dear tail, cocking
his ears, and pawing up his "litter," till indeed that word alone
describes the state to which he reduces his bed; then when I go up to
him he lays back his ears with sheer delight, and gives a jump, as if
he was going to kick me, and whisks that thin tail about more than
ever. I lay my cheek to his smooth soft skin, and he nestles his
beautiful head in my arms, and pokes his pretty muzzle into my
pocket