very extraordinary personage,' said
the stranger.

'Do you think that it is like Captain Armine?' enquired Miss Temple with
some hesitation.

'It is always so considered,' replied the stranger. Henrietta's hand
faltered; she looked at the door of the gallery, then at the portrait;
never was she yet so anxious for the reappearance of Ferdinand. There
was a silence which she was compelled to break, for the stranger was
both mute and motionless, and scarcely more assured than herself.

'Captain Armine will be here immediately, I have no doubt.'

The stranger bowed. 'If I might presume to criticise so finished a
performance,' he remarked, 'I should say that you had conveyed, madam, a
more youthful character than the original presents.'

Henrietta did not venture to confess that such was her intention.
She looked again at the door, mixed some colour, and then cleared it
immediately off her palette. 'What a beautiful gallery is this!' she
exclaimed, as she changed her brush, which was, however, without a
fault.

'It is worthy of Armine,' said the stranger.

'Indeed there is no place so interesting,' said Miss Temple.

'It pleases me to hear it praised,' said the stranger.

'You are well acquainted with it?' enquired Miss Temple.

'I have the happiness to live here,' said the stranger.

'I am not then mistaken in believing that I speak to Mr. Glastonbury.'

'Indeed, madam, that is my name,' replied the gentleman; 'I fancy we
have often heard of each other. This a most unexpected meeting, madam,
but for that reason not less delightful. I have myself just returned
from a ramble of some days, and entered the gallery little aware that
the family had arrived. You met, I suppose, my Ferdinand on the road.
Ah! you wonder, perhaps, at my familiar expression, madam. He has been
my Ferdinand so many years, that I cannot easily school myself no longer
to style him so. But I am aware that there are now other claims------'

'My dearest Glastonbury,' exclaimed Ferdinand Armine, starting as he
re-entered the gallery, and truly in as great a fright as a man could
well be, who perhaps, but a few hours ago, was to conquer in Spain or
Germany. At the same time, pale and eager, and talking with excited
rapidity, he embraced his tutor, and scrutinised the countenance of
Henrietta to ascertain whether his fatal secret had been discovered.

That countenance was fond, and, if not calm, not more confused than the
unexpected appearance