sight of you will be like sunshine to flowers to him."

But Miss Arleigh did not look delighted; she was thinking more of how
she could keep such a secret from her good, kind guardians than of any
pleasure in meeting her lover.

He came; she lingered by Lady Ridsdale's side during his reception. The
thought did certainly pass through Lord Ridsdale's mind that Allan
Lyster was very young and very handsome to be drawing-master of a young
ladies' school; but not for the world would he have breathed such a
thought to any one living, lest it should injure him. Lord Ridsdale was
courtesy itself to his young guest. He pointed out to him the finest
pictures; he took him over the woods to show him where the most
picturesque scenery lay; he took him to the library and introduced to
his notice some of the finest works of art.

When they came to compare notes Lord and Lady Ridsdale quite disagreed
over Allan. The gentleman liked him, he thought him clever, gifted and
intellectual; Lady Ridsdale, with the keener sense belonging to women,
read his character more clearly.

"He is not true," she said. "His eyes have never once met mine with a
frank, clear look; either he has something to conceal, or his natural
disposition is anything but candid."

Lady Ridsdale did not like him, but with some of the visitors at Thorpe
Castle he was very popular. His talents were appreciated and admired.
One gentleman, Sir Thomas Ashburnham, ordered a picture from him;
another purchased a series of sketches; and a third invited him to a
grand old castle in the North where he could make himself familiar with