a small gothic structure, standing in the burial ground, and as they
approached it, Beatrice was struck with admiration at the beds of
flowers, then blooming in full perfection on the graves; this is a
very beautiful, and, by no means, uncommon sight in South Wales; but
she had never seen it before. "Well, I declare, this is lovely;
really, Ethelind, to render the charm of romance complete, you ought
to have a very interesting young curate, with pale features and dark
hair and eyes."

"And so we have," said Ethelind, "and had he sat for his picture, you
could not have drawn a more correct likeness; but I regret to say, Mr.
Barclay's stay is not likely to be permanent, as one of Lord Eardly's
sons is to have the living, soon as the family returns from the
Continent, which we are all sorry for; as short as the time is, that
Mr. Barclay has been among us, he is generally liked, and from his
manner, we think the curacy, little as it is, an object to him; though
even now, he does a great deal of good, and you would hardly believe
all he has accomplished. I wish he were here, for I am sure you would
like him."

"I think," said Beatrice, "it is well he is not, for I might fall in
love with him, and then--"

"And then, what?" asked Ethelind.

"Why it must end in disappointment to both; for if he is poor and I am
poor, it would be little use our coming together; but were I rich, as
I expected to have been, then I might have set my cap at your young
curate, and rewarded his merit."