n him occasionally, and generally at this
period of the year."

"Shall we go to him?" I suggested.

"No; you cannot help him; and he cannot bear that they should be
noticed."

We both watched him. His arms were stretched up above his head, and
again he recoiled a step or two. I sought for an explanation in Agnes'
face.

"A stranger!" she exclaimed. "Who can it be?"

I looked toward Mr. Maryon. A tall figure of a man had come from the
farther side of the house; he wore a large, loose coat and a kind of
military cap upon his head.

"Doubtless you are surprised to see me, John," we heard the new-comer
say, in a confident voice, "but I am not the devil, man, that you should
greet me with such a peculiar attitude." He held out his hand, and
continued, "Come, don't let the warmth of old fellowship be all on one
side, this wintry day."

We could see that Mr. Maryon took the proffered right hand with his left
for an instant, then seemed to shrink away, but exchanged no word of
this greeting.

"I don't understand this," said Agnes, and we both hurried forward. The
stranger, seeing Agnes approach, lifted his cap.

"Ah, your daughter, John, no doubt. I see the likeness to her lamented
mother. Pray introduce me."

Mr. Maryon's usually pallid features had assumed a still paler hue, and
he said in a low voice:

"Colonel Bludyer--my daughter." Agnes barely bowed.

"Charmed to renew your acquaintance, Miss Maryon. When last I saw you,
you were quite a baby; but your father and I are very old friends--are
we not, John?"

Mr. Maryon vaguely nodded his head.

"Well, John, you have often pressed your hospitality upon me, but till
now I have never had an opportunity of availing myself of your kind
offers; so I have brought my bag, and intend at last to give you the
pleasure of my company for a few days."

I certainly should have thought that a man of Mr. Maryon's disposition
would have resented such conduct as this, or, at all events, have given
this self-invited guest a chilling welcome. Mr. Maryon, however, in a
confused and somewhat stammering tone, said that he was glad Colonel
Bludyer had come at last, and bade his daughter go and make the
necessary arrangements. Agnes, in silent astonishment, entered the
house, and then Mr. Maryon turned to me hastily and bade me good-by. In
a by no means comfortable frame of mind I returned to The Shallows.

The sudden advent of this miscellaneous colonel was naturally somewhat