_dear_. Poor little Percy. Oh! oh! oh!"

And after all this thunder there was a little rain, by a law that governs
Atmosphere and Woman impartially.

Seeing her softened, and having his own reasons for wishing to keep
Fitzroy to his duty, Walter begged leave to mediate, if possible, and
asked if she would do him the honor to confide the grievance to him.

"Of course I will," said Julia. "He is angry with Colonel Clifford for
not wishing him to stay here, and he is angry with me for not making
Uncle Clifford invite him. As if I _could_! I should be ashamed to
propose such a thing. The truth is, he is a luxurious little fellow, and
my society out-of-doors does not compensate him for the cookery at the
Dun Cow. There! let him go."

"But I want him to stay."

"Then that is very kind of you."

"Isn't it?" said Walter, slyly. "And I must make him stay somehow. Now
tell me, isn't he a little jealous?"

"A little jealous! Why, he is eaten up with it; he is _petrie de
jalousie_."

"Then," said Walter, timidly, and hesitating at every word, "you can't be
angry if I work on him a little. Would there be any great harm if I were
to say that nobody can see you without admiring you; that I have always
respected his rights, but that if he abandons them--"

Julia caught it in a moment. She blushed, and laughed heartily. "Oh, you
good, sly Thing!" said she; "and it is the truth, for I am as proud as he
is vain; and if he leaves me I will turn round that moment and make you
in love with me."

Walter looked queer. This was a turn he had not counted on.

"Do you think I couldn't, sir?" said she, sharply.

"It is not for me to limit the power of beauty," said Walter, meekly.

"Say the power of flattery. I could cajole any man in the world--if
I chose."

"Then you are a dangerous creature, and I will make Fitzroy my shield.
I'm off to the Dun Cow."

"You are a duck," said this impetuous beauty. "So there!" She took him
round the neck with both hands, and gave him a most delicious kiss.

"Why, he must be mad," replied the recipient, bluntly. She laughed at
that, and he went straight to the Dun Cow. He found young Fitzroy sitting
rather disconsolate, and opened his errand at once by asking him if it
was true that they were to lose him.

Percy replied stiffly that it was true.

"What a pity!" said Walter.

"I d--don't think I shall be m--much m--missed," said Percy,
rather sullenly.

"I know two people who will miss yo