was scarcely known by any other
name--was an open-hearted, honest, straight-forward young fellow of
twenty, with light-brown hair, frank eyes, and a cordial bearing which
at once put every body at their ease. Still there was a latent flash
in the eye which denoted an excitable temper--not seldom united, as
the reader must have observed, with such a character.

The young men strolled across to the tree which Mowbray had indicated,
and sat down on a wicker seat which was placed at its foot.

"Mr. Mowbray said you could tell me about Roseland," Hoffland said,
raising his dark eyes as was his habit beneath his low-drooping hat;
"I am sure it is a pretty place from his description--is it not?"

"Oh, beautiful!" said Denis warmly; "you should go and see it."

"I think I will."

"It is not far, and indeed is scarcely half an hour's ride from
town--there to the west."

"Yes; and Miss Lucy is very pretty, is she not?"

Denis colored slightly, and replied:

"I think so."

Hoffland with his quick eye discerned the slight color, and said
somewhat maliciously:

"You know her very well, do you not?"

"Why, tolerably," said Denis.

"I must make her acquaintance," continued Hoffland, "for I am sure
from Mowbray's description of her she is a gem. He invited me to come
this evening."

"You refused?"

"Yes."

"You should not have done so, sir: Mowbray is not prodigal of such
invitations."

Hoffland laughed.

"But I had a reason," he said mischievously.

"What, pray--if I may ask?"

"Oh, certainly, you may ask," Hoffland replied, smiling; "though it
may appear very vain to you--my reason."

"Hum!" said Denis, not knowing what to think of his new acquaintance,
whose quizzing manner, to use the technical word, did not please him.

"I told Mowbray very frankly, however, why I could not come this
evening," pursued Hoffland, with the air of one child teasing another;
"and I think he appreciated my reason. I was afraid on Miss Lucy's
account."

"Afraid!"

"Yes."

"On Lucy's account!"

"On _Miss_ Lucy's account," said Hoffland, emphasizing the "Miss."

"Oh, well, sir," said Denis, with a slight air of coldness; "I don't
deny that I was wrong in so speaking of a lady, but I don't see that
_you_ had the right to correct me."

"Why, Mr. Denis," said Hoffland smiling, "you take my little speeches
too seriously."

"No, sir; and if I showed some hastiness of temper, excuse me--I
believe it is my failing."

"O