The demonstration was sweet enough from the owner of such an
affectionate pair of bright hazel eyes and brown tresses of hair. But
it was so sudden, so unexpected by a man fresh from towns, that he
winced for a moment quite involuntarily; and there was some constraint
in the manner in which he returned her kiss, and said, 'My pretty
little Avice, how do you do after so long?'

For a few seconds her impulsive innocence hardly noticed his start of
surprise; but Mrs. Caro, the girl's mother, had observed it instantly.
With a pained flush she turned to her daughter.

'Avice--my dear Avice! Why--what are you doing? Don't you know that
you've grown up to be a woman since Jocelyn--Mr. Pierston--was last
down here? Of course you mustn't do now as you used to do three or
four years ago!'

The awkwardness which had arisen was hardly removed by Pierston's
assurance that he quite expected her to keep up the practice of her
childhood, followed by several minutes of conversation on general
subjects. He was vexed from his soul that his unaware movement should
so have betrayed him. At his leaving he repeated that if Avice
regarded him otherwise than as she used to do he would never forgive
her; but though they parted good friends her regret at the incident was
visible in her face. Jocelyn passed out into the road and onward to
his father's house hard by. The mother and daughter were left alone.

'I was quite amazed at 'ee, my child!' exclaimed the elder. 'A young
man from London and foreign cities, used now to the strictest company
manners, and ladies who almost think it vulgar to smile broad! How