, hiding from us. She showed herself; blushing,
hesitating, offering a nosegay of wild flowers. My mother whispered to
me--I thanked the little mill-girl, and gave her a kiss. Did I feel the
child's breath, in my day-dream, still fluttering on my cheek? Was I
conscious of her touch? I started, trembled, returned reluctantly to my
present self. A visible hand touched my arm. As I turned suddenly, a
living breath played on my face. The child had faded into a vanishing
shade: the perfected woman who had grown from her had stolen on me
unawares, and was asking me to pardon her. "Mr. Gerard, you were lost in
your thoughts; I spoke, and you never heard me."

I looked at her in silence.

Was this the dear Cristel so well known to me? Or was it a mockery of her
that had taken her place?

"I hope I have not offended you?" she said.

"You have surprised me," I answered. "Something must have happened, since
I saw you last. What is it?"

"Nothing."

I advanced a step, and drew her closer to me. A dark flush discolored her
face. An overpowering brilliancy flashed from her eyes; there was an
hysterical defiance in her manner. "Are you excited? are you angry? are
you trying to startle me by acting a part?" I urged those questions on
her, one after another; and I was loudly and confidently answered.

"I dare say I am excited, Mr. Gerard, by the honor that has been done me.
You are going to keep your engagement, of course? Well, your friend, your
favorite friend, has invited me to meet you. No! that's not quite true. I
invited myself--the deaf gentleman submitted."

"Why did you invite yourself?"

"Because a tea-party is not complete without a woman."

Her manner was as strangely altered as her looks. That she was beside
herself for the moment, I clearly saw. That she had answered me
unreservedly, it was impossible to believe. I began to feel angry, when I
ought to have made allowances for her.

"Is this Lady Rachel's doing?" I said.

"What do you know of Lady Rachel, sir?"

"I know that she has visited you, and spoken to you."

"Do you know what she has said?"

"I can guess."

"Mr. Gerard, don't abuse that good and kind lady. She deserves your
gratitude as well as mine."

Her manner had become quieter; her face was more composed; her expression
almost recovered its natural charm while she spoke of Lady Rachel. I was
stupefied.

"Try, sir, to forget it and forgive it," she resumed gently, "if I have
misbehaved my