whom she had made friends, hopped boldly almost within reach, looking at
her with bright eyes and head curiously aslant. By the window a single
chair, and a small reading-desk, with the book lying open. The short day
was not far from its close, but there was ample light still in the skies,
and a serene if chilly stillness in the air without.

Though expecting the relation she had just summoned to her presence,
I fear she had half forgotten him. She was standing by the window deep
in revery as he entered, so deep that she started when his voice struck
her ear and he stood before her. She recovered herself quickly, however,
and said with even more than her ordinary kindliness of tone and manner
towards the scholar, "I am so glad to see and congratulate you."

"And I so glad to receive your congratulations," answered the scholar in
smooth, slow voice, without a stutter.

"But, George, how is this?" asked Lady Montfort. "Bring that chair,
sit down here, and tell me all about it. You wrote me word you were
cured,--at least sufficiently to re move your noble scruples. You did
not say how. Your uncle tells me, by patient will and resolute
practice."

"Under good guidance. But I am going to confide to you a secret, if you
will promise to keep it."

"Oh, you may trust me: I have no female friends."

The clergyman smiled, and spoke at once of the lessons he had received
from the basketmaker.