w.

"I say, where did you get these hideous things?" said Compton,
approaching the table on which "the silver" was laid out. By a special
dispensation it was Lady Mariamne's dishes which caught Phil's
attention. "Some old grandmother, I suppose, that had 'em in the house.
Hallo! if it isn't the Jew! Nell, you don't mean to tell me you got
these horrors from the Jew?"

"They are supposed to be--quite handsome," said Elinor, with a
suppressed laugh. "We must not criticise. It is very kind of people to
send presents at all. We all know it is a very severe tax--to those who
have a great many friends----"

"The stingy old miser," said Compton. "Rolling in money, and to send you
these! By Jove! there's a neat little thing now that looks what it is;
probably one of your nice country friends, Nell----" (It was the kettle,
as a kind Providence decreed; and both the ladies breathed an internal
thanksgiving.) "Shows like a little gem beside that old, thundering,
mean-spirited Jew!"

"That," said the Rector, bridling a little and pink with pleasure, "is
our little offering: and I'm delighted to think that it should please so
good a judge. It was chosen with great care. I saw it first myself,
and the idea flashed upon me--quite an inspiration--that it was the
very thing for Elinor; and when I went home I told my wife--the very
thing--for her boudoir, should she not be seeing company--or just for
your little teas when you are by yourselves. I could at once imagine the
dear girl looking so pretty in one of those wonderful white garments
that are in the next room."

"Hallo!" said Compton, with a laugh, "do you show off your things in
this abandoned way, Nell, to the killingest old cov----"

She put her hand up to his mouth with a cry of dismay and laughter, but
the Rector, with a smile and another little blush, discreetly turned his
back. He was truly glad to see that they were so fond of each other, and
thought it was pretty and innocent that they should not mind showing
it--but it was a little embarrassing for an old and prim clergyman to
look on.

"What a pleasure it must be to you, my dear lady," he said when the
young couple had gone: which took place very soon, for Phil soon grew
tired of the presents, and he was ill at ease when there was no window
from which he could watch the road--"what a pleasure to see them so much
attached! Of course, family advantage and position is always of
importance--but when you get devoted