he proper corner; and yet, if taken
at the wrong point, you would say she was incombustible.

Hence it came to pass that I had no one even to speak to, about Lorna
and my grievances; for Captain Stickles was now gone southward; and John
Fry. of course, was too low for it, although a married man, and well
under his wife's management. But finding myself unable at last to bear
this any longer, upon the first day when all the wheat was cut, and the
stooks set up in every field, yet none quite fit for carrying, I saddled
good Kickums at five in the morning, and without a word to mother (for a
little anxiety might do her good) off I set for Molland parish, to have
the counsel and the comfort of my darling Annie.

The horse took me over the ground so fast (there being few better to go
when he liked), that by nine o'clock Annie was in my arms, and blushing
to the colour of Winnie's cheeks, with sudden delight and young
happiness.

"You precious little soul!" I cried: "how does Tom behave to you?"

"Hush!" said Annie: "how dare you ask? He is the kindest, and the best,
and the noblest of all men, John; not even setting yourself aside. Now
look not jealous, John: so it is. We all have special gifts, you know.
You are as good as you can be, John; but my husband's special gift is
nobility of character." Here she looked at me, as one who has discovered
something quite unknown.

"I am devilish glad to hear it," said I, being touched at going down so:
"keep him to that mark, my dear; and cork the whisky bottle."

"Yes, darling John," she answered quickly, not desiring to open that
subject, and being too sweet to resent it: "and how is lovely Lorna?
What an age it is since I have seen you! I suppose we must thank her for
that."

"You may thank her for seeing me now," said I; "or rather,"--seeing how
hurt she looked,--"you may thank my knowledge of your kindness, and my
desire to speak of her to a soft-hearted dear little soul like you. I
think all the women are gone mad. Even mother treats me shamefully. And
as for Lizzie--" Here I stopped, knowing no words strong enough, without
shocking Annie.

"Do you mean to say that Lorna is gone?" asked Annie, in great
amazement; yet leaping at the truth, as women do, with nothing at all to
leap from.

"Gone. And I never shall see her again. It serves me right for aspiring
so."

Being grieved at my manner, she led me in where none could interrupt
us; and in spite of all my dejection,