ity to put a soul into that instrument. But the harp
was different; its strings held sympathetic tones she felt competent
to master. To these studies she added a course of English literature
and dancing. She was already a fine rider, and her information
obtained from the vicar's library and the Encyclopaedia covered an
enormous variety of subjects, though it was desultory, and in many
respects imperfect.

Her new life was delightful to her. She had an innate love for study,
for quiet, and for elegant surroundings. These tastes were fully
gratified. The large house stood in a fair garden, surrounded by very
high walls, with entrance-gates of handsomely wrought iron. Perfect
quiet reigned within this flowery enclosure. She could study without
the constant interruptions which had annoyed her at home; and she was
wisely aided in her studies by masters whose low voices and gliding
steps seemed only to accentuate the peace of the wide schoolroom, with
its perfect appointments and its placid group of beautiful students.

On Saturdays Brune generally spent several hours with her; and if the
weather were fine, they rode or walked in the Park. Brune was a
constant wonder to Aspatria. Certainly his handsome uniform had done
much for him, but there was a greater change than could be effected
by mere clothes. Without losing that freshness and singleness of mind
he owed to his country training, he had become a man of fashion, a
little of a dandy, a very innocent sort of a lady-killer. His arrival
caused always a faint flutter in Mrs. St. Alban's dove-cot, and the
noble damosels found many little womanly devices to excuse their
passing through the parlour while Brune was present. They liked to see
him bend his beautiful head to them; and Lady Mary Boleyn, who was
Aspatria's friend and companion, was mildly envied the privileges this
relation gave her.

During the vacations Aspatria was always the guest of one or other of
her mates, though generally she spent them at the splendid seat of the
Boleyns in Hampshire, and the unconscious education thus received was
of the greatest value to her. It gave the ease of nature to acquired
accomplishments, and, above all, that air which we call distinction,
which is rarely natural, and is attained only by frequent association
with those who dwell on the highest social peaks.

Much might be said of this phase of Aspatria's life which may be left
to the reader's imagination. For three years it s