ly or of unpleasant features, judged by approved
standards of manly beauty, yet compared with Oswald Langdon, Paul Lanier
was to Alice Webster an uninteresting deformity.

The two girls were sitting upon the lawn, in shade of a tree, listening
to Oswald's full, well-modulated voice reading from the opening chapter
of "Aurora Leigh," when a neatly dressed, stylish-appearing young man
stood before them. Lifting his hat with a low bow, he responded to
Alice's startled "Mr. Lanier!" with "Good-evening, Alice."

With apparent fear, Alice presented Paul to Esther and Oswald as her
friend from London, "Mr. Paul Lanier."

Noting the dismay of Alice at his sudden appearance, and quickly
divining that her sentiments toward him had not improved, Paul bit his
lips with suppressed ire, but otherwise was outwardly impassive. Paul
made a hurried explanation to Alice's unspoken inquiries: "I returned
from India sooner than expected. I learned of you being at Northfield,
and came from London to see you."

Alice endeavored to appear cheerful, but her efforts were apparent to
all.

Paul attributed her conduct to the presence of Oswald, and from that
moment became an implacable foe.

Oswald saw in the presence of Paul Lanier at Northfield, for the avowed
purpose of meeting Alice Webster, a chance to renew his quest. So, far
from attempting to supplant Paul, he wished him success, and hoped Alice
would think kindly of her old-time friend, who had traveled from far
India to see this capricious girl. Was not the infatuated Paul handsome,
stylish, and evidently sincere? Oswald felt a sense of pity for the
foolish prejudices of the silly Alice. His sympathies were aroused in
behalf of the slighted Paul, who would be justified in cutting the
acquaintance of such a perverse sweetheart. Oswald trusted that Paul
would consider before taking such a course. It would be well for
strong-minded, decisive men to practice forbearance with girlish whims
and fancies.

Ignoring the coolness of Alice, Paul was very courteous, seeming not to
notice her evident dislike.

The efforts of both young men to be alone with their objects of interest
were thwarted by the tact of Alice, who was attracted to the side of
Oswald or Esther, as varying circumstances required.

The evening was passed in conversation and instrumental music, yet there
were feelings of bitterness in that apparently happy group. Sir Donald
and Esther felt the pleasure growing out of ge