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overtook Judith, raised his hat, and held out his who perhaps saw as clearly out of her open eyes, as did Randulf from his half-closed ones.

hand.

"You looked so stern, Miss Conisbrough, that at first I thought I had better go after my papa, and not say anything to you, but-see, allow me to open this gate for you, if you are going this way are you?"

"Yes," replied Judith, repressing a smile, "but if you are going to call upon Mr. Aglionby, do you not think you had better follow Sir Gabriel?" 'Directly—no hurry; I never expected I should have the good fortune to meet you, or I should have ridden here more cheerfully. My father was wondering how we should get on with this man here. You know, he has the kindest heart in the world, has my father; he thinks Mrs. Conisbrough has been treated badly. There !" as Judith's face flushed painfully. "I have said the thing I ought not to have said, and offended you."

"I never offer to do things that are a bore," he assured her.

"Well, if you really don't object, I should be very glad if you would call and tell her that if it is fine this afternoon, she must set off at half-past two, and I will do the same, and we shall meet at Counterside, just half-way. I want very much to speak to her, but you can understand that I don't care to ask any one into this house, unless I am obliged, nor to send Mr. Aglionby's servants on my errands."

"So you employ your own most devoted retainer instead," said Randulf composedly, but unable to repress a smile of gratification, "I will deliver the message faithfully. Now the gate stands open. Good-morning.

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Judith passed out at the gate, and Randulf has

"No, you have not, but I think we had better tened after Sir Gabriel, the smile still hovering not talk about it."

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Randulf was scrutinizing her from under his sleepy eyelids. After this answer, he did not pursue the subject further. Judith asked him to open the gate, and let her go for her walk. He did so, and added, with a slower drawl than usual, "and, Miss Conisbrough, how is your s— sister ?"

"Which sister?" asked Judith, surveying him straightly from her large and candid eyes.

"Your sister Delphine," answered Randulf, leaning on the gate in a leisurely manner, as if he never meant to lift himself off it again.

"I have not seen her since Saturday. I had a I had a note from her this morning, though-I want her to meet me. I won't have her come here, and that reminds me," she added, "that I want to find Toby, the farm boy, to take me a message—'

"I am going home that way. intrust the message to me?"

Couldn't you

about his lips, and inwardly saying, "I'm glad I turned back. It was a good stroke of business, after I'd racked my brains for an excuse to call there, without being able to find one.”

Mrs. Aveson received him with a smile and words of welcome, and ushered him into the state parlor where already his father and Aglionby were together.

Certainly three more strongly contrasted characters could hardly have been found than the three then assembled in the parlor at Scar Foot. Each, too, was fully conscious of his unlikeliness to the other. There was a necessary constraint over the interview. Sir Gabriel spoke in high terms of the late squire. The late squire's successor listened in courteous, cool silence, bowing his head now and then, and smiling slightly in a manner which the candid Sir Gabriel could not be expected to understand. Aglionby did not protest, when this incense was burnt at the shrine of his grandfather, neither did he for one moment join in the ceremony. When, however, Sir Gabriel remarked that Mr. Aglionby had been hasty and inconsiderate sometimes, the newcomer rejoined, "I am quite sure of it," in a voice which carried conviction. Then Sir Gabriel remarked that he supposed Mr. Aglionby had not lived much in the country.

"My fame seems to have preceded me, in that respect," replied Aglionby, laughing rather sar

"I'm afraid it would be a bore," said Judith, castically. After which Sir Gabriel felt rather at

a loss what to say to this dark-looking person, who knew nothing of the country, and cared nothing for country-gentlemen's pursuits, who could not even converse sympathetically about the man from whom he had inherited his fortune. Mrs. Conisbrough was a tabooed subject to Sir Gabriel. And he had just begun to feel embarrassed, when Randulf came in, and afforded an opportunity for introducing a new topic, and a powerful auxiliary in the matter of keeping up the conversation, for which his father could not feel sufficiently thankful. He introduced the young men to each other, and Randulf apologized for his tardy appearance.

"I wanted to speak to Miss Conisbrough!" he said, "and stopped with her longer than I meant She had an errand for me, too, so I stayed to hear what it was."

to.

"It seems to me that you and Miss Conisbrough get on very well together," observed his father good-naturedly.

Bernard sat silent during this colloquy. What could Judith Conisbrough or her friends possibly be to him? Had he not Lizzie at Irkford? His forever! Yet his face grew a little sombre as he listened.

"Gray cloth," murmured Sir Gabriel, polite, but puzzled.

"Gray cloth-yes. It is not an exciting, nor yet a very profitable employment. It seems, however, that if my rich relation had not suddenly remembered me, I might have continued it to the end of my days."

"Rich relation ?" began Sir Gabriel; "1 thought-"

"That I had others, perhaps?" suggested Bernard, while Randulf listened with half-closed eyes, and apparently without hearing what was said.

"Well, I certainly have a vague impression-I may be quite wrong-I suppose I must be."

"It is an odd thing that Miss Conisbrough also accused me of having rich relations the other day," said Bernard, and then carelessly changed the subject. The guests sat a little longer. The conversation was almost entirely between Aglionby and Sir Gabriel, but secretly the young men also measured one another with considerable eagerness, and the conclusion left in the mind of each concerning the other was, "I don't dislike him— there is good stuff in him."

At last they rose to go, and with wishes on the Danesdales' side to see more of Mr. Aglionby, and promises on his part to return their visit, they departed.

Bernard looked at his watch, paused, consid

"Do we, sir? Well, it is but a week to-day since I made her acquaintance, but I think that any man who didn't get on with her and her sisters-well, he wouldn't deserve to. Don't you?” he added, turning to Aglionby, and calmly ignor-ered, muttered to himself, "Of course it is all ing the possibility of any awkwardness in the topic. "I know only Miss Conisbrough, and that very slightly," said Bernard, very gravely. "She seems to me a most—charming—”

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"You are thinking that charming isn't the word, and it is not," said Randulf. "If one used such expressions about one's acquaintances in these days, I should say she was a noble woman. That's my idea of her; exalted, you know, in character, and all that sort of thing."

"I should imagine it; but I know very little of her," said Aglionby, who, however, felt his heart respond to each one of these remarks.

right," and ringing the bell, asked Mrs. Aveson if Miss Conisbrough were out, and if she had said whether she was coming in to dinner.

"She went out for a walk to Dale Head, sir, and she didn't say when she would be back," responded Mrs. Aveson.

"Thank you," said Aglionby, and with that he went out, and, by a strange coincidence, his steps, too, turned in the direction of Dale Head.

But he was not successful in meeting Miss Conisbrough (if that were the intention with which he had set out). He saw no trace of her, though, as he passed along the beautiful road, catching

Sir Gabriel found this style of conversation dull. occasional glimpses, here and there, of the lake, He turned to Aglionby, and said politely:

"I believe you have always lived at Irkford, have you not?"

"Yes," responded Bernard, with a look of humor in his eyes. "I was in a warehouse there. I sold gray cloth."

his lips parted involuntarily now and then, in the desire to utter to some companion-shadow what he thought of it all. But it is thin work, talking to shadows, as he felt. He returned home, found that Miss Conisbrough had come in, and was going to dine with him, and that a messenger

who had been to Yoresett had brought him a letter from the post-office of that metropolis, addressed, in a sprawling hand, to Bernard Aglionby, Esq. Rapture! It was from Lizzie !

CHAPTER XIX.-LOOKING FORWARD.

AFTER she had said good-morning to Randulf, udith walked along the rough, stony lane, with its gaps in the hedge, showing the rugged fells in the distance, and her gaze had lost some of its despondency. Indeed, she felt cheered by the little interview. She distinctly liked young Danesdale (though to her, old in care and sorrow, he seemed more like a very charming boy than a man grown, with a man's feelings), and she was conscious, with a keen thrill of sympathetic conviction, that he liked her, liked her sisters, liked everything about her. It was a delightful sensation, like the coming of a sudden, unexpected joy in a sad life. She dwelt upon his words, his manner, his gestures, from the moment in which, with the languor gone from his eyes, he had overtaken her, to his last delighted expression about her sending her own devoted retainer on her messages, instead of Bernard Aglionby's servants. It was perhaps rather a cool thing to say-at least it might have savored of impertinence if some people had said it. From Randulf Danesdale it came agreeably and naturally enough.

She would see Delphine that afternoon-an interview for which she longed greatly; she had gratified Randulf by allowing him to give her message about the meeting, and Delphine would be pleased to learn her sister's wishes from such a courier. Altogether, things looked brighter. She presently turned off to the right, into a little dell or gorge, and wandered along some paths she knew, half-woodland, half-rocky. She had come out for her health's sake, but remembering the walk in prospect in the afternoon, did not stay very long, and was utterly unconscious that at one moment, just as she was standing beneath a faded beech-tree, whose foliage was yellow and sere, and holding in her hand some variouslytinted autumn leaves which she had picked, the footsteps which she heard in the road below, and not far distant, were those of Bernard Aglionby.

Returned to the house, she went to her mother's room, who still lay white and weak-looking, though free from pain and breathlessness, upon her bed.

"See, mamma, here are some lovely leaves

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"Sir Gabriel and Mr. Danesdale come to call upon Mr. Aglionby."

"You do not mean it?" exclaimed Mrs. Conisbrough, with animation, and then, after a pause, "Really to call upon him? To welcome him?" "I suppose so, mamma. I don't know why else they should have come."

"No doubt! The king is dead: long live the king!' It would have been the same if we had been in possession," said Mrs. Conisbrough, in an accent of indescribable bitterness.

Yet she had ceased to speak of Bernard with the passionate indignation and resentment which she had at first expressed. Perhaps reflection had convinced her that opposition would be folly. Perhaps with women like Mrs. Conisbrough, many perhapses may have an influence.

"As you seem so much better, mother, I have asked Delphine to come over to Counterside, and I shall go and meet her, so that we can have a chat this afternoon. Then I can tell her how you really are."

"As you like," responded Mrs. Conisbrough, rather peevishly. "I am aware that you and Delphine cannot exist apart, or think you cannot, for more than a day, without repining. In my young days, girls used to think less of themselves."

"If you do not wish me to leave you, I will send word to Delphine not to come."

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"On no account stay in for me," was the logical and consistent reply. "The walk will do you good. Did you say you had seen Mr. Danesdale?"

"Yes. It is he who has promised to call at our house, and ask Delphine to meet me."

"Ah, I see!" said Mrs. Conisbrough, in a tone so distinctly pleased and approving, that Judith could not but notice it. She turned to her mother with parted lips, then, as if suddenly recollecting herself, closed them again, and took up her sewing, at which she worked until Mrs. Aveson came to say that dinner was ready.

"Thank you. Is Mr. Aglionby going to dine now, do you know?"

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"Yes, he is, Miss Judith. If you'd prefer me to bring yours up here—' "Oh, no, thank you. I am not afraid of him," be sure to want it to-morrow afternoon." said Judith, with a slight smile.

wasn't aware that there was such a carriage on the premises, or anything about it. But I shall

"I should think not, Miss Judith. If there's any cause for fear, I should think it would be more likely on the other side."

"Why, I wonder?" speculated Judith within herself, and her mother's voice came from the bed, as Mrs. Aveson withdrew.

"Just straighten your hair, Judith, and fasten your collar with my little gold brooch. It will make you look tidier."

His dark eyes looked at her very pleasantly across the table, and there was a smile upon his lips, all playfulness and no malice. Judith met the glance, and thought, "How could I have thought him hard and stony-looking? And if only all these miserable complications had not come in the way, what a very nice relation he would have been !"

But she said aloud :

"You are very kind, and since you really wish "I'll straighten my hair, mamma, but as for it, I accept your offer gratefully. The day after the brooch, I really don't think it is necessary. If to-morrow, then." you could see the careless, and I might say shabby style in which Mr. Aglionby dresses, you would know that he did not think much about what people wear."

She had made her beautiful brown hair quite smooth, and without further elaboration of her toilet, she went down-stairs.

Bernard was standing in the dining-room, waiting for her.

'Mrs. Aveson told me I was to have the pleasure of your company at dinner," he said, with the graciousness and politeness which, when he was with her, seemed to spring more readily than other feelings within his breast.

"That is a much more sensible arrangement, though I call even that too soon. But I like to have my own way, and I have really got so little of it hitherto, that I daresay there is some danger of my using the privilege recklessly. However, since I have prevailed so far, I will see that all is ready when you wish. And-Miss Conisbrough!” "Yes?"

"Do you think Mrs. Conisbrough will strongly object to my seeing her?"

"You must not speak to her on any matters of money or business," said Judith hastily.

"I had not the slightest intention of doing so, though I still hope that in time she will fall in

"I am going out at half-past two," answered with my views on the matter, and I hope, too, Judith. you have not forgotten your promise to help me

"Are you? and I at a quarter to three. I am in it." going to Yoresett to see Mr. Whaley."

"Indeed. I have a sort of message for you from mamma; she did not send it to you in so many words, but when I suggested it, she agreed with me, and that is, that after to-day I think we need not task your kindness any further. My mother is so much better that I think she will be fit to go home."

"Oh, do you think so? She must not on any account move before she is quite able to do so without risk. I would not be in any hurry to remove her."

"You are very good to say so. But if you will kindly allow us to have the brougham to-morrow afternoon"

"I am sure you had better say the day after to-morrow. From what Dr. Lowther said, I am convinced of it. I-I don't think I can spare the brougham to-morrow afternoon, though I really

Judith said nothing. Her eyes were cast down. Aglionby paused only for a moment, and then went on:

"What I meant was, that perhaps you would prefer-she might be very angry if I put in any appearance when she goes away. In plain words, do you think she still so strongly resents my presence here, that it would be unwise for me to pay my respects to her, and tell her how glad I am that she is better?"

"No," said Judith; her face burning, her eyes fixed upon her plate. "She has considered the matter while she has been ill. I think-I am sure you might speak to her, only please do not be offended if”

"If she snubs me very severely," said he, with a gleam of amusement. "No, indeed, I will not. Whatever Mrs. Conisbrough may say to me, I will receive submissively and meekly."

"Because you feel that the power is on your side," said Judith rapidly, involuntarily, almost in a whisper, her face burning with a still deeper blush. "It must be easy to smile at a woman's petulance when you are a man, and feel that you have the game all in your own hands."

She had not meant to say so much. The words had broken from her almost uncontrollably. Almost every hour since the moment in which she had seen her mother cower down before Bernard's direct gaze, her sense of his power and strength had been growing and intensifying. Hours of brooding and solitude, apart from her accustomed companions; long and painful meditations upon the past and present, and thrills of dread when she contemplated the future; these things, broken only by her two or three interviews with Bernard, and with him alone, had strengthened her feeling, until now, though she was neither dependent, clinging, nor servile by nature, the very sight of Aglionby's dark face, with its marked and powerful features, made her heart beat faster, and brought a crushing consciousness of his strength and her own weakness. Had he been overbearing or imperious in manner, all her soul would have rebelled; she was one of those natures with whom justice and forbearance are almost a passion; the moments would have seemed hours until she could break free from his roof and his presence; but he was the very reverse of overbearing or imperious. The strength was kept in reserve; the manner was gentle and deferential-only she knew that the power was there, and she would not have been a woman if she had not had a latent idolatry of power. The combination of strength and gentleness was new to her; the proximity to a man who wielded these attributes was equally foreign to her, and all these things combined had begun to exercise over her spirit a fascination to which she was already beginning, half-unconsciously, to yield.

Aglionby's only answer at first to her remark was a look, slow and steady; but he had looks which sank into the souls of those at whom they were leveled, and haunted them, and it was such a glance that he bestowed upon Judith Conisbrough now. Then he said:

"That remark shows me very plainly that 'petulance,' as you are pleased to call it, forms no part of your character; but I guessed that some time ago. I am glad to have you on my side."

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"Oh, thank you, I have been accustomed to it all my life," said she, going out of the room, and slowly ascending the stairs.

"Child, you look quite flushed," cried her mother. What have you been doing? Quarreling with Mr. Aglionby?"

"No, mother. It would be hard to quarrel with Mr. Aglionby. No one could be more considerate but I wish we were at home again. By the way, he will not hear of your going until the day after to-morrow."

"I shall be very glad of another day's rest. I feel dreadfully weak."

Judith made no reply, but put on her things and went out, just as the big clock on the stairs notified that it was half-past two-that is, it said half-past three, as is the habit of clocks in country places-a habit which had perfectly bewildered Bernard, who had tried to get Mrs. Aveson to put it back, but had been met by the solemn assurance that any such course would result in the complete bouleversement of all the existing domestic arrangements. Indeed, he saw that the proposition excited unbounded alarm and displeasure in Mrs. Aveson's mind, and he had to admit that in a Yorkshire dale one must do as the natives do.

It was a fine afternoon. Judith walked quickly along the well-known road, and in her mind she kept seeing Bernard's eyes directed to her face, after her own hurried remark about woman's petulance. She could not satisfy herself as to what that look meant, and sighed impatiently as she tried to banish it from her mind.

At last she came to the dip in the road, which, with its shade of overhanging trees, its quaint, nestling old houses and cottages, and tiny whitewashed Friends' Meeting House, was known as Countersett or Counterside. Half-way down the hill she saw something which banished egotistic reflections, and caused a smile to break out upon her face a slim girl's figure, with the shabby old

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