shaped cans of the original. As if her drawing had been the
mystic configurations of a conjurer, the spirit came when she did call
for it; and with a side glance of her eye, she perceived at no great
distance from her a young man, who seemed to be gazing at her with
great earnestness, and was only prevented from addressing her by the
awe, that formed of course the body-guard of a daughter of Mr
Gillingham Howard. There are many ways in which it is possible to show
that the said body-guard may be broken through, without subjecting the
culprit to the penalties of high-treason. A short cough, as if
preparatory to a conversation--a hurried look, and then a scarcely
perceptible smile--a sort of fidgety uneasiness, as if the stump of
the tree was something rather different from an air-cushion--such were
the methods pursued by Miss Arabel Howard on the present occasion with
complete success. The stranger combated with his respect, and going
near to where the sketcher--again utterly unconscious of his presence,
was putting in a tuft of ivy--he took off his hat and bowed--

"Ha!" exclaimed Miss Arabel, in a state of most becoming surprise.

"I hope I do not alarm you, madam," said the stranger; "though my
sudden presence here requires an apology."

"Oh!--I beg--I feel sure--any gentleman--my father will be most happy
to"----

"You are very kind. I perceive you appreciate the beauty of this
situation as much as I do. You are sketching the gable and
chimney"----

"Yes--but pray don't look."

But before she had time to close the page and clasp the book, he had
caught a view of a well drawn hat, and very tastefully touched
whiskers.

The stranger smiled.

"It is indeed a beautiful little work," he continued.

"And the building so very picturesque. Grandpapa pulled down a row of
cottages that the poor people lived in, and built this romantic little
hermitage."

"So I have heard."

"Oh, have you? Grandpapa improved this place very much. Think how the
view must have been spoilt by a row of nasty cottages, and a crowd of
horrid poor people."

"It was very near the church for the cottagers."

"Oh! but papa is going to get the horrid old church removed to the
other end of the parish, and have a beautiful building instead of the
present tumble-down old ruin."

"Taste seems hereditary in your family."

"It is indeed: ages ago great improvements were made by papa's
grandfather. He got quit of all the cottages except the