Amusing! ah then I've a mind to take a walk with him," exclaimed Brian; but Mrs. Branscombe grew alarmed and pathetic in her remonstrances, and Harold coldly and distinctly let fall the words, "I do not advise you, Brian, to cultivate his acquaintance."

"And now, my dears,' said she, 'pray make yourselves at home;' so they made themselves quite at home.'

Hans Andersen's Fairy Tales.

WHEN Brian approached the vicarage, one day soon after his little quarrel with Sibyl, he found a handsome carriage drawn up at the door, and as that portended visitors he hesitated about going up to the house.

Just as he reached the garden-gate Mrs. Merivale and a younger lady came out into the porch, and stood talking together as if waiting for some one to join them. The lady was tall and fair, with a very blithe smile, and a clear decided tone of voice which softened into almost caressing sweetness as she said, "You look as dove-like as ever, Frances, and not at all the old lady you represented yourself in your letters. People may talk as they like about Italian eyes,' but not all the black orbs of all the signoras in Italy charmed me half so much as these great soft eyes of yours, which look to me now just the same as they did when I was a naughty little school-girl, in the lowest form, and you an irreproachable elder serenely marvelling at my misconduct."

"Who that knew that blunt little school-girl would have expected that she could ever be guilty of such a complimentary speech ?" said Mrs. Merivale, smiling and drooping her fringed eyelids.

"Don't treat your godchild to such fine flatteries, or I shall be afraid to trust her to you again."

"No, indeed, you need not fear; I intend Sibyl to regard me as a species of female mentor, and should I fail to be austere and sententious enough, Leonard will supply all deficiencies. Did she not tell you how well he fulfilled a godfather's duties when she stayed with us last summer? I suppose we shall find her the same merry little monkey as ever ?"

Mrs. Merivale only nodded smilingly in reply, for just as these words were spoken Sibyl's light step was heard on the stairs, and in another moment she stood beside them.

"I hope I have not kept you, Miss Devereux ?" she said breathlessly.

"Don't you see that you have, Sibyl ?" replied her mother; "what made you run away when we thought you were ready ?"

"Oh, I only just ran back to tell the boys that they might have my box of bonbons, and to show them where to find it."

"What was that for? I thought you accounted those French bonbons rather a precious possession.'

"Oh, but then I am to have the treat of spending the day out, and the boys have no treat," responded Sibyl, rather as if excusing herself from blame than with any idea that she might be admired for this little act of generosity.

A ray of motherly pleasure shot out from the soft eyes that Miss Devereux had been eulogising, but Sibyl did not see it; she had caught sight of Brian walking up and down outside the garden hedge, and had rushed to the gate to speak to him.

"What a dear funny little woman it is!" said Miss Devereux, looking after her. "Whom has she got hold of now ?"

"Her inseparable,' as Mildred would say; he is

a nephew of Mr. Branscombe's, and a pleasant warm-hearted boy, but rather a rough companion for my little girl."

"He is a fine-looking creature!" exclaimed Miss Devereux, as urged by Sibyl, Brian came slowly towards them. 66 Pray, introduce me to your new ally, Sibyl," she added, advancing to meet them. "My godmamma," said Sibyl to Brian, “she is come to take me to spend the day with her."

Brian looked a little disconsolate, and Miss Devereux said in her frank goodnatured way, "Suppose I carry you off, too? Sibyl will, I dare say, enjoy her day a great deal more if she has you for a companion."

Brian looked delighted at the notion, and gave rapturous thanks, but on second thoughts seemed doubtful whether he might accept the invitation.

After a little discussion it was settled that Miss Devereux should take him in her carriage to Mr. Branscombe's that he might ask permission to spend the day with her, and return in the evening with Sibylla. Miss Devereux knew the Branscombes well, as she lived with her brother, Sir Leonard, not very far from Vale Moir, and from being so intimate with the Merivales was a great deal in the village, though Sir Leonard's estates were in another parish. The reason that Brian had never seen her before was that she had been spending the winter abroad, and had only just returned home.

She would not get out at Mr. Branscombe's, as she said it was too early for a call, so Brian ran in alone to make his request: it was readily granted, and he was joyfully returning to the carriage when he was stopped by Harold, who said hurriedly, "Brian, may I ask you a favour? Will you lend me your gun just for one day? Uncle Walter will let me have it, I know, if you have no objection."

Brian had considerable objections; but he was too goodnatured to refuse, though the moment he had given his consent he rushed away, lest he should be tempted to retract it. When they arrived at Devereux Chase, as Sir Leonard's house was called, the little party lingered in the hall a few moments to look at some statues which Sir Leonard had brought from Italy, and while they were still there a servant approached Miss Devereux, and said in a low voice, "The little girls are come, ma'am, shall I tell them you are engaged this morning ?"

"Poor little things, I had forgotten them!" she exclaimed with a start of compunction. "Sibyl, my love, can I leave you and Brian to amuse each other for an hour, while I give my usual lesson to the lodgekeeper's and gardener's children, who are unfortunately out of reach of school ?"

"Oh pray do, we shall manage very well," said Brian and Sibyl in one breath; and Sibyl added, "I suppose you don't like to give them many holidays now, as they had such a long holiday while you were in Italy."

"No, I am trying to make up for lost time, but I will take care not to linger over the lessons this morning, and in the meantime you can show your friend the garden and the aviary, and anything you think will amuse him."

"Come

Sibyl did not wait for a second bidding. away, Brian," she said, snatching his hand, and they were racing off, when Miss Devereux called to them to stop. "I only want to warn you against playing any very wild pranks, young people," she said smiling. My brother has most likely gone down to the farm, but he will return at luncheon time, or perhaps sooner, and you know, Sibylla, he does not approve of young ladies who act the madcap, though he likes you to make yourself at home

here."