consideration which evinced much delicate sympathy.

They all drove together in the Willises' carriage up the sloping road
from Callao to Lima, and Mary heard astonishment, such as she had
once felt, breaking out in screams from the children at the sight of
omnibuses filled with gaily-dressed negroes, and brown horsewomen in
Panama hats and lace-edged trousers careering down the road. But
then, her father had come and fetched her from on board, and that
dear mamma was waiting in the carriage! They entered the old walled
town when twilight had already closed in, and Mrs. Willis was
anxious to take her tired little ones home at once. They were set
down at their own door; but Mr. Ward, with protecting anxious
kindness, insisted on seeing Miss Ponsonby safely home before he
would join them. As they drove through the dark streets, Mary heard
a little restless movement, betraying some embarrassment; and at
last, with an evident desire of reassuring her, he said, 'Senora
Rosita is thought very pleasing and engaging;' and then, as if
willing to change the subject, he hastily added, 'I suppose you did
not speak the Pizarro?'

'No.'

'She has sailed about three weeks. She takes home your cousin, Mr.
Dynevor.'

Mary cried out with surprise.

'I thought him a complete fixture, but he is gone home for a year.
It seems his family property was in the market, and he was anxious to
secure it.'