e old lady called her
back and kissed her again.

"I don't know how mother will bear up after you leave her," muttered
Tony, as he walked along at Dolly's side; "she is fonder of you than
ever."

Dolly murmured something, but inaudibly.

"For my own part," continued Tony, "I can't believe this step necessary
at all. It would be an ineffable disgrace to the whole neighborhood to
let one we love and revere as we do him, go away in his old age, one may
say, to seek his fortune. He belongs to us, and we to him. We have
been linked together for years, and I can't bear the thought of our
separating."

This was a very long speech for Tony, and he felt almost fatigued when
it was finished; but Dolly was silent, and there was no means by which
he could guess the effect it had produced upon her.

"As to my mother," continued he, "she'd not care to live here any
longer,--I know it. I don't speak of myself, because it's the habit to
think I don't care for any one or anything,--that's the estimate people
form of me, and I must bear it as I can."

"It's less than just, Tony," said Dolly, gravely.

"Oh, if I am to ask for justice, Dolly, I shall get the worst of it,"
said he, laughing, but not merrily.

For a while they walked on without a word on either side.

"What a calm night!" said Dolly, "and how large the stars look! They
tell me that in southern latitudes they seem immense."

"You are not sorry to leave this, Dolly?" murmured he, gloomily; "are
you?"

A very faint sigh was all her answer.

"I 'm sure no one could blame you," he continued. "There is not much to
attach any one to the place, except, perhaps, a half-savage like myself,
who finds its ruggedness congenial."

"But you will scarcely remain here, now, Tony; you'll be more likely to
settle at Butler Hall, won't you?"

"Wherever I settle it sha'n't be here, after you have left it," said he,
with energy.

"Sir Arthur Lyle and his family are all coming back in a few days, I
hear."

"So they may; it matters little to me, Dolly. Shall I tell you a secret?
Take my arm, Dolly,--the path is rough here,--you may as well lean on
me. We are not likely to have many more walks together. Oh dear! if you
were as sorry as I am, what a sad stroll this would be!"

"What's your secret, Tony?" asked she, in a faint voice

"Ah! my secret, my secret," said he, ponderingly: "I don't know why I
called it a secret,--but here is what I meant. You remember, Dolly, how
I u