ell, yes; at least I don't know. I understand that Morris has improved
that blessed apparatus of his, and the new parson and his daughter have
floated to our doors like driftwood. By the way, have you seen Miss
Fregelius?"

"Seen her? Yes, I have seen her."

"She is a wonderfully captivating girl, isn't she? So unusual, with
those great eyes of hers that seem to vary with the light----"

"Like a cat's," snapped Eliza.

"The light within--I was going to say."

"Oh! I thought you meant the light without. Well, she may be
fascinating--to men, but as I am only a woman, I cannot be expected to
appreciate that. You see we look more to other things."

"Ah. Well, so far as I am a judge she seemed to me to be pretty well set
up in them also. She has a marvellous voice, is certainly a first-class
violinist, and I should say extremely well-read, especially in Norse
literature."

"Oh! I daresay she is a genius as well as a beauty."

"I gather," said the Colonel with a smile, "that you do not like Miss
Fregelius. As my acquaintance with her is limited, would you think me
rude if I asked why?"

"How can I be expected to like her, seeing----" and she paused.

"Seeing what, Miss Layard?"

"What, haven't you heard? I thought it was common property."

He shook his head. "I have heard nothing. Go on, pray, this is quite
interesting."

"That she led on that silly brother of mine until he proposed to
her--yes, proposed to her!--and then refused him. Stephen has been like
a crazy creature ever since, moaning, and groaning, and moping till
I think that he will go off his head, instead of returning thanks to
Providence for a merciful escape."

The Colonel set his lips as though to whistle, then checked himself.

"Under the circumstances, presuming them to be accurately stated, I
am not prepared to say who is to be congratulated or who should thank
Providence. These things are so individual, are they not? But if one
thing is clear, whatever else she is or is not, Miss Fregelius cannot be
a fortune-hunter, although she must want money."

"She may want other things more."

"Perhaps. But I am very stupid, I am afraid I do not understand."

"Men, for instance," suggested Eliza.

"Dear me! that sounds almost carnivorous. I am afraid that there are
not many about here to satisfy her appetite. Your brother, Morris,
the curate at Morton, and myself, if at my age I may creep into that
honourable company, are the only single creat