r you do know, you can
come to me; and I'll fix you off so you won't know yourself. It's a
pleasant way to lose a body's identity, I can tell you. Now give me a
kiss and I'll go, for I live 'tother side of creation--where you never
come; and why you don't come, and bring him, I don't see--but I've seen
him, in spite of you. Here he comes, too"--said Miss Bezac, "so I'll be
off."

There was such a variety of confusions in this speech that Faith was
hopeless of setting them right. She stood looking at the speaker, and
did not try. However, everybody was accustomed to Miss Bezac's
confusions.

"Are you pledged to stand still on this particular spot?" Mr. Linden
said at her side.

"No indeed," said Faith with ready smile,--"but people have been
talking to me--"

"Yes, and there is no telling how many I shall interfere with if I take
you away now."

"I don't care--" said Faith. "Only Dr. Harrison said he wanted to shew
me something when the lamps were lit."

"When they are lighting? or when they are lit?"

"When they are lit, he said."

"Well they are not lit yet," said Mr. Linden, "and before they are I
want you to get a view of people and things in twilight perspective.
For which purpose, Miss Faith, I must take you to the extreme verge of
society and the lawn--if you will let me."

"I would like to go anywhere you please, Mr. Linden." And Faith's face
gave modest token that she would like it very much.

He gave her his arm, and then by skilful navigation kept clear of the
groups most likely to interrupt their progress; passing rather towards
the boy quarter, making Sam Stoutenburgh sigh and Joe Deacon whistle,
with the most frigid disregard of their feelings. The shrubbery at the
foot of the lawn was in more than twilight now, and its deeper shadow
was good to look out from; giving full effect to the dying light on
earth and sky. The faint rosecoloured clouds hung over a kaleidoscope
of dresses, which was ever shifting and making new combinations,
passing into black spots in the shadow of the trees, or forming a broad
spread of patchwork on the open lawn. The twilight perspective was far
more witching than the sunlight full view.

"How pretty that is!" said Faith delightedly. "Thank you, Mr. Linden. I
don't believe Dr. Harrison will shew me any effect so good as this. How
pretty and odd it is!"

"Don't you know," he said, "that you never should thank me for doing
pleasant things?"

"Why, Mr. Linden?" sh