as the leaves were
parted and Lisbeth looked down at me.

"Oh, it's you?" she said, and I fancied she seemed quite pleased.
"You'll find a step-ladder somewhere about--it can't be very far."

"Thanks," I answered, "but I don't want one."

"No; but I do; I want to get down. That little wretched Imp hid the
ladder, and I've been here all the afternoon," she wailed.

"But then you refused to be an elephant, you know," I reminded her.

"He shall go to bed for it--directly after tea!" she said.

"Lisbeth," I returned, "I firmly believe your nature to be altogether
too sweet and forgiving--"

"I want to come down!"

"Certainly," I said; "put your left foot in my right hand, take firm
hold of the branch above and let yourself sink gently into my arms."

"Oh!" she exclaimed suddenly, "here's Mr. Selwyn coming," and following
her glance, I saw a distant Panama approaching.

"Lisbeth," said I, "are you anxious to see him?"

"In this ridiculous situation--of course not!"

"Very well then, hide--just sit there and leave matters to me and--"

"Hush," she whispered, and at that moment Selwyn emerged into full
view. Catching sight of me he stopped in evident surprise.

"I was told I should find Miss Elizabeth here," he said stiffly.

"It would almost appear that you had been misinformed," I answered. For
a moment he seemed undecided what to do. Would he go away? I
wondered. Evidently not, for after glancing about him he sat himself
down upon a rustic seat near-by with a certain resolute air that I did
not like. I must get rid of him at all hazards.

"Sir," said I, "can I trespass on your generosity to the extent of a
match or say a couple?" After a brief hesitation he drew out a very
neat silver match-box, which he handed to me.

"A fine day, sir?" I said, puffing at my pipe.

Mr. Selwyn made no reply.

"I hear that the crops are looking particularly healthy this year," I
went on.

Mr. Selwyn appeared to be utterly lost in the contemplation of an
adjacent tree.

"To my mind an old apple tree is singularly picturesque," I began
again, "nice nobbly branches, don't you know."

Mr. Selwyn began to fidget.

"And then," I pursued, "they tell me that apples are so good for the
blood."

Mr. Selwyn shifted his gaze to the toe of his riding boot, and for a
space there was silence, so much so, indeed, that an inquisitive rabbit
crept up and sat down to watch us with much interest, until--evidently
rememberin