ing mode; and she
wore a muslin cap, and pinners with crow-foot edging. A black silk
fur-belowed scarf covered her shoulders; and over the kincob gown hung a
yellow satin apron, trimmed with white Persian.

But, in spite of her attractions, we shall address ourselves to the
younger, and more interesting couple.

"I could almost find in my heart to quarrel with Jack Sheppard for
occasioning you so much pain," observed little Winifred Wood, as, having
completed her ministration to the best of her ability, she helped Thames
on with his coat.

"I don't think you could find in your heart to quarrel with any one,
Winny; much less with a person whom I like so much as Jack Sheppard. My
arm's nearly well again. And I've already told you the accident was not
Jack's fault. So, let's think no more about it."

"It's strange you should like Jack so much dear Thames. He doesn't
resemble you at all."

"The very reason why I like him, Winny. If he _did_ resemble me, I
shouldn't care about him. And, whatever you may think, I assure you,
Jack's a downright good-natured fellow."

Good-natured fellows are always especial favourites with boys. And, in
applying the term to his friend, Thames meant to pay him a high
compliment. And so Winifred understood him.

"Well," she said, in reply, "I may have done Jack an injustice. I'll try
to think better of him in future."

"And, if you want an additional inducement to do so, I can tell you
there's no one--not even his mother--whom he loves so well as you."

"Loves!" echoed Winifred, slightly colouring.

"Yes, loves, Winny. Poor fellow! he sometimes indulges the hope of
marrying you, when he grows old enough."

"Thames!"

"Have I said anything to offend you?"

"Oh! no. But if you wouldn't have me positively dislike Jack Sheppard,
you'll never mention such a subject again. Besides," she added, blushing
yet more deeply, "it isn't a proper one to talk upon."

"Well then, to change it," replied Thames, gravely, "suppose I should be
obliged to leave you."

Winifred looked as if she could not indulge such a supposition for a
single moment.

"Surely," she said, after a pause, "you don't attach any importance to
what my mother has just said. _She_ has already forgotten it."

"But _I_ never can forget it, Winny. I will no longer be a burthen to
those upon whom I have no claim, but compassion."

As he said this, in a low and mournful, but firm voice, the tears
gathered thickly in Winifr