ght altercation produced no lasting effect, except that Dick, for the next few days, hurried home to hi

or the 25th," he said to his mother,

n the pockets of his shooting-coat watching him. The two were a great deal together just then: Dick rather stuck to his father during one or two mornings; the wily young fellow knew that Nan was closeted with his mother, helping her with all sorts of feminine arrangements, and he was determined t

d, taking the girl into her embrace. "You are qu

fuss about the rest. It is an afternoon party, you must remember that; only people who are very intimate will remain

ure to remember," retur

uidance in all such matters; but when Nan proposed once sending for Dick to ask his

mar the present tranquillity by sending such a message to Dick. Mr. Mayne would have accompanied his son, and the consultation wo

hrough somewhat ruthlessly; but on that occas

u in the morning," she could not help saying to Dick, as

. "I am never free to do things in the after

ll would be well. If Nan's devotions were longer than usual that morning, no one was the wiser; if she added a little clause, calling down a blessing on a certain head, no one

caught upon it; a deadly thrust may be turned away. What if the blessing would never reach the ear of the loved one, who

find Dick waiting for her in the vera

surprise and pleasure, "to think of yo

ll, to work all those things for me;" for Nan had taken secret measurements in Dick's room, and had embroidered a most exquisite mantelpiece valance, and Phillis and Dulce had wo

on, but all the same his

her coolly. "You know we owed you something after all your

t Hamilton will say. It was awfully good of you, Nan, and so it was of the others: and if I don't make it up to you somehow, my

little surprise on your birthday. Now you must tell us about your other presents." And Dick, nothing loath, launched into eloquent de

cy for a collie, and he has been in treaty for one ever so long. Is he not a dear old boy?" cried Dick, rapturously. But he did not tell his friends of the crisp bundle of bank-notes with w

peremptorily; he must go back to his b

them. How often the memory of that morning recurred to him as he stood so

s eyes; in their place rose unbidden a picture framed

worn it all that day! Stop, he had it still; it lay all crushed and withered in his pocket-book. He had written the date under it; one day he meant to show it to her. Oh, foolish days of youth, so prodigal of m

Oldfield had there be

sounded from the shrubberies: in the green meadows flags were waving, tent-draperies flutter

e, and Mr. Mayne fidgeted after him; while Mrs. Mayne sat fanning

girl I left behind me;" and there at the same moment was Nan coming up

o meet her. "That is nice; we shall see all the people arrive. H

Nan! You always do, you know, but to-day you are first-rate. Is this a new gown?" ca

rselves," returned Nan, carelessly. "Mother has got her old silk, bu

. But it was no use. Mrs. Mayne never set off her handsome dresses; with her flushed, good-natured face and homely ways, she showed to marked disadvantage beside Mrs. Challoner's faded beauty. Mrs. Challoner's gown might

ghtiness and a certain exclusive intoleration none could match the Burgoyne

to her husband, who was not quite so exclusive, and always made himself pleasant to his neighbors; and she

had never seen more than twice in her life, and who was understood to be small credit to his family. The aforesaid Sir Francis Challoner had be

the parable, he had betaken himself into far countries, not to waste his su

who had once written to her in round hand and subscribed himself as her affectionate nephew, Henry Ford Challoner-this she knew; but what ma

ite undeserved. Lady Fitzroy really liked Mrs. Challoner and found intercourse with her very pleasant and refreshing. When one is perfectly well-bred, there is a subtile

, for they fell apart after this, and were sep

f well-dressed people thronged the lawn, and were

ange the tennis-matches, who pointed out to the young men of the party which was the tea-tent, and where the ices and claret-cup were to

us, and I am so busy," Nan said, dismissing one after another who came up to

whom he was hurrying somewhat unceremoniously across

said Lady Fitzroy, graciously, as s

in their labors. As Mr. Mayne said afterwards, "They were just everywhere, those Challoners, like a hi

required the utmost gravity and despatch. He was forever hurrying elderly ladies across the field

ow? or shall I wait and take you back again?"

with the hero of the day. "Go and fetch some one else, Dick: I am very well off where I am," exchanging an a

later on, when the band struck up a set of quadrilles, he committed his first soleci

he said, taking her unwilling h

u ought to choose?-Lady Fitzroy, for example

back, Nan, in this fashion?" a cloud coming over his face. "Haven't you promised weeks ago to give me the first dance

father, in a voice of ag

ce. We will have Hamilton and Dulce for our vis-a-vis. What a jolly day; and isn't this first-rate?"

quite so eas

said, in a low voice; but Dick turned a deaf ear. He showed her the rose in his buttonhole; and when Nan t

ick gave her his arm, and carried her off to see Vigo, who was h

ep melancholy eyes; and then, as her flowers were fading, they strolled off into the conserv

Nan sorted the flowers in her lap; and at this unlucky moment they were disc

y suspicious gl

said, rather abruptly; but Dick growled so

htened nudge. Why w

at Dick dared not refuse. It was just like his father to come and disturb his first happy moments and to order him off to go and do something d

ur mother wants you, you must not keep her waiting." But Nan in her heart knew