of brightness in her like a coal of fire. As much as the others cast me
down, she lifted me up. I remembered I had talked easily with her. If I
could make no hand of it with these fine maids, it was perhaps something
their own fault. My embarrassment began to be a little mingled and
lightened with a sense of fun; and when the aunt smiled at me from her
embroidery, and the three daughters unbent to me like a baby, all with
"papa's orders" written on their faces, there were times when I could
have found it in my heart to smile myself.

Presently papa returned, the same kind, happy-like, pleasant-spoken man.

"Now, girls," said he, "I must take Mr. Balfour away again; but I hope
you have been able to persuade him to return where I shall be always
gratified to find him."

So they each made me a little farthing compliment, and I was led away.

If this visit to the family had been meant to soften my resistance, it
was the worst of failures. I was no such ass but what I understood how
poor a figure I had made, and that the girls would be yawning their jaws
off as soon as my stiff back was turned. I felt I had shown how little I
had in me of what was soft and graceful; and I longed for a chance to
prove that I had something of the other stuff, the stern and dangerous.

Well, I was to be served to my desire, for the scene to which he was
conducting me was of a different character.

* * * * *