with flowers, considering the season—but, of course, I had little attention to spare for them.  It was not, however, for any tender colloquy that my companion had brought me there:—

‘My aunt is particularly fond of flowers,’ she observed, ‘and she is fond of Staningley too: I brought you here to offer a petition in her behalf, that this may be her home as long as she lives, and—if it be not our home likewise—that I may often see her and be with her; for I fear she will be sorry to lose me; and though she leads a retired and contemplative life, she is apt to get low-spirited if left too much alone.’

‘By all means, dearest Helen!—do what you will with your own.  I should not dream of wishing your aunt to leave the place under any circumstances; and we will live either here or elsewhere as you and she may determine, and you shall see her as often as you like.  I know she must be pained to part with you, and I am willing to make any reparation in my power.  I love her for your sake, and her happiness shall be as dear to me as that of my own mother.’

‘Thank you, darling! you shall have a kiss for that.  Good-by.  There now—there, Gilbert—let me go—here’s Arthur; don’t astonish his infantile brain with your madness.’

* * * * *

But it is time to bring my narrative to a close.  Any one but you would say I had made it too long already.  But for your satisfaction I will add a few words more; because I know you will have a fellow-feeling for the old lady, and will wish to know the last of her history.  I did come again in spring, and, agreeably to Helen’s injunctions, did my best to cultivate her acquaintance.  She received me very kindly, having been, doubtless, already prepared to think highly of my character by her niece’s too favourable report.  I turned my best side out, of course, and we got along marvellously well together.  When my ambitious intentions were made known to her, she took it more sensibly than I had ventured to hope.  Her only remark on the subject, in my hearing, was—

‘And so, Mr. Markham, you are going to rob me of my niece, I understand.  Well!  I hope God will prosper your union, and make my dear girl happy at last.  Could she have been contented to remain single, I own I should have been better satisfied;