ree pretty well in our tastes and habits--yet so as "with a
difference." We are generally in harmony, with occasional
bickerings, as it should be among near relatives.'--ESSAYS OF
'ELIA.'

Booty grew tired of barking at the swans long before his master had
roused from his abstraction; it was doubtful how much longer Captain
Burnett would have sat with his eyes fixed dreamily on the water, if a
tall figure in white had not suddenly appeared under the arching trees,
and Audrey stood before him.

'I knew where I should find you,' she said, as he rose rather slowly
from his seat. 'I have christened this bench Michael's Seat. How sweet
the lake looks this evening! I wish I could stay to enjoy it, but I must
go back to the drawing-room. Percival has come, and, do you know, the
dressing-gong sounded ten minutes ago, and you have taken no notice of
it.'

'I will go at once,' was the answer, but to his surprise she stopped
him.

'Wait one moment, Michael; I have to ask you a favour. I want you to be
kind, and to take a great deal of notice of Mr. Blake. He is very young
and shy, and though his mother says he is so clever--and, indeed, father
says so, too--one would not find it out, because he is so quiet, and you
know how formidable Percival must be to a shy person.'

'And you want me to take your new _protege_ under my wing?' he returned,
dissembling his surprise.

She had put her hands on his arm, and was speaking with unusual
earnestness, and he knew, by a certain look in her eyes, that something
had vexed her.

'He is not my _protege_,' she answered quickly. 'You talk as though he
were a boy, a mere child, instead of being what he is--an exceedingly
clever and gentlemanly young man. Michael, you generally understand
me--you are always my ally when Percival is on his high horse--and I
want you to stand Mr. Blake's friend to-night.'

'And I am not even to form my own opinion? Supposing the moment I shake
hands with your pro--I mean your visitor--I become conscious of an
inward antagonism? You see, Audrey, I am subject to likes and dislikes,
in common with other people.'

'Oh, you must try to like him,' she returned impatiently. 'I am very
much interested in the whole family. We always like the same people,
Michael--do we not?' in a coaxing voice. 'I know the Marquis will wear
his most judicial aspect to-night; he will perfectly annihilate poor Mr.
Blake;' for this was another sobriquet which Audrey