once a day, and there are all the animals to visit, and the
greenhouses and the hot-houses, for I do like a chat with old Morison;
and there is Catharine's dear little baby at the lodge, and the
children at the Parkers' cottage; and I like to help Janet feed and
clean my birds, because the dear little things know me. Oh, yes, the
day is not half long enough for all I have to do," finished Fay,
contentedly.

CHAPTER XVII.

"I AM ONLY WEE WIFIE."

This would plant sore trouble
In that breast now clear,
And with meaning shadows
Mar that sun-bright face.
See that no earth poison
To thy soul come near!
Watch! for like a serpent
Glides that heart disgrace.

Ask to be found worthy
Of God's choicest gift,
Not by wealth made reckless,
Nor by want unkind;
Since on thee dependeth
That no secret rift
Mar the deep life-music
Of her guileless mind.

PHILIP STANHOPE.

Raby felt as though he were listening to a child's innocent prattle as
Fay chattered on in her light-hearted way. In spite of his deep
knowledge of human nature he found himself unaccountably perplexed.
Margaret had spoken to him, as they sat together over their luncheon,
of the flower-like loveliness of the little bride, and yet he found
himself unable to understand Hugh Redmond's choice; his thoughtful,
prematurely saddened nature could not conceive how any man of Hugh's
age could choose such a child for his life-companion. With all her
sweet looks and ways he must grow weary of her in time.

Perhaps her freshness and innocence had bewitched him; there was
something quaint and original about her naive remarks. The
disappointed man might have found her brightness refreshing--her very
contrast to Margaret might have been her attraction in his eyes. Well,
Raby supposed that it was all right; no doubt she was an idolized
little woman. Hugh seemed to keep her in a glass case; nothing was
allowed to trouble her. She will be thoroughly spoiled by this sort of
injudicious fondness, thought Raby, perfectly unconscious how far he
was from grasping the truth.

It was Margaret who began to feel doubtful; her womanly intuition
perceived that there was something wanting; she thought Lady Redmond
spoke as though she were often alone.

"I suppose you are never dull?" she asked, gently.

"Oh, no," returned Fay, with another gay little laugh. "Of course we
have plenty of cal