with the initials "R.R." below it.

"Ah, Lyndall," Em cried, "perhaps you are engaged yourself--that is why you
smile. Yes; I am sure you are. Look at this ring!"

Lyndall drew the hand quickly from her.

"I am not in so great a hurry to put my neck beneath any man's foot; and I
do not so greatly admire the crying of babies," she said, as she closed her
eyes half wearily and leaned back in the chair. "There are other women
glad of such work."

Em felt rebuked and ashamed. How could she take Lyndall and show her the
white linen and the wreath, and the embroidery? She was quiet for a little
while, and then began to talk about Trana and the old farm-servants, till
she saw her companion was weary; then she rose and left her for the night.
But after Em was gone Lyndall sat on, watching the old crone's face in the
corner, and with a weary look, as though the whole world's weight rested on
these frail young shoulders.

The next morning, Waldo, starting off before breakfast with a bag of
mealies slung over his shoulder to feed the ostriches, heard a light step
behind him.

"Wait for me; I am coming with you," said Lyndall, adding as she came up to
him, "if I had not gone to look for you yesterday you would not have come
to greet me till now. Do you not like me any longer, Waldo?"

"Yes--but--you are changed."