t any gift get rusty for lack of use."

"You would have made an excellent wife for a poor man, my dear," Mrs.
Lennard remarked.

"I shall never be any man's wife," said Elsie. "I mean to be a little
sister of the poor, and especially devote myself to children. That is my
vocation; I see it plainly."

"Indeed"--Mrs. Lennard leaned back in her chair with a satisfied little
smile as she surveyed her favourite--"I don't think I would adopt that
kind of dress just yet, if I were you. Black lace and a touch of scarlet
are very becoming."

The day of the picnic was as balmy and blue as those that had gone
before. The dew was still hanging on the clustered white roses which
climbed to her latticed casement when Elsie looked out. The sweet, wet
blossoms touched her face as she leaned forward into the pure morning
air.

Her window overlooked that side of the garden nearest to the lane; and
some one, strolling between the leafy hedges, looked up and saw a vision
of a bright yet delicate face, framed in a quantity of thick, dark,
rumpled hair.

He stood still, well hidden by the screen of leaves, and gazed upward in
silent delight. The pretty picture only lasted half a minute; she
vanished, and he, finding that the casement remained a blank, went back
over a gate, and across dew-wet fields, to his solitary breakfast.

The picnic was exactly like other picnics. A space of level turf, under
the shade of some fine beeches, had been chosen as the banqueting-place.

It was quite an aristocratic gathering; most of the important people of
the country were there. There were white and rose-colour, violet and
primrose, showing out amongst other indescribable tints. Frilled
parasols were unfurled like great flowers; the place was filled with
dainty fabrics, and soft hues, and laughter and ceaseless movement. All
this flutter and commotion made Elsie feel intensely quiet. Somehow,
although she was by no means unnoticed, she could not enter into the
spirit of the hour.

Jamie did not care about the ladies and their pretty dresses; but he
appreciated the good things to eat. Mrs. Verdon had said that he was too
young to be of the party, but had ended by bringing him. Home was only a
little way off, and nurse was among the other servants. Meanwhile the
boy had stationed himself by Elsie's side, and she was keeping a careful
watch over his plate.

Arnold saw them sitting together on the edge of the crowd, and longed to
join them. But t