CHAPTER SECOND.

LOVE.

The Hon. MICHAEL LADLE and ARCHIBALD BLINKSOP were interrupted in their
conversation by BELINDA, who sent off the former under pretence that the
croquet players were waiting for him, or, as she expressed it, it was
"his turn to mallet."

As soon as he was fairly out of sight, she turned to ARCHIBALD, and
said; "Come with me."

"What for?" said ARCHIBALD, as she seized him by the arm and hurried him
into the shrubbery. "Recollect," he added, "that I am an orphan, with a
constitution never robust."

She made no reply till they were screened from observation.

"You needn't be afraid, you little fool," she said. "Sit down on that
stump."

ARCHIBALD tremblingly obeyed her.

She imprisoned his fluttering hand in hers, and smoothed his hair
reassuringly.

"ARCHIE," she murmured; "_dear_ ARCHIE."

"Oh, don't, _don't_ talk that way," said ARCHIBALD. "You make me afraid