r, even with a vulgar right arm.

Jeffreys accepted this new responsibility cheerfully, and even eagerly.
It sometimes came over him with a shock, what would these people say if
they knew about young Forrester? Yet was not this care of a boy given
to him now as a means, if not of winning back his good name, at least of
atoning in some measure by the good he would try to do him, and the
patience with which he would bear with his exacting ways for what was
past? It was in that spirit he accepted the trust, and felt happy in
it.

As the summer passed on, Wildtree, the moors around which were famous
for their game, became full of visitors. The invasion did not disturb
Jeffreys, for he felt that he would be able to retire into private life
and avoid it. The company numbered a few boys of Percy's age, so that
even that young gentleman would not be likely to require his services
for a while. He therefore threw himself wholly into his work, and with
the exception of an hour each afternoon, when he took a turn on the
hill-side, showed himself to no one.

On one of these occasions, as he was strolling through the park towards
the moor, he encountered Miss Atherton, very much laden with a camp-
stool, a basket, a parasol, and a waterproof. Shy as he was, Jeffreys
could hardly pass her without offering to relieve her of part of her
burden. "May I carry some of those things?" said he.

He had scarcely exchanged words with Raby since the day of his first
arrival; and though he secretly numbered her among his friends, he had
an uncomfortable suspicion that she looked down on him, and made an
effort to be kind to him.

"Thanks, very much," said she, really glad to get rid of some of her
burdens; "if you wouldn't mind taking the chair. But I'm afraid you are
going the other way."

"No," said Jeffreys, taking the chair, "I was going nowhere in
particular. May I not take the waterproof and basket too?"

"The basket is far too precious," said Raby, smiling; "it has grapes in
it. But if you will take this horrid waterproof--"

"There is not much use for waterproofs this beautiful weather," said
Jeffreys, beginning to walk beside her. Then, suddenly recollecting
himself, with a vision of Mrs Rimbolt before his mind, he fell back,
and said awkwardly,--

"Perhaps I had better--I must not detain you, Miss Atherton."

She saw through him at once, and laughed.

"You propose to follow me with those things as if I was an Eas