not disgraced herself, if she had not brought this humiliation on them, he might have been brought to listen to their pleading in good time, and at his own pleasure; but now, never-never!' he muttered, and set his teeth

hard.

Dick,' he said suddenly, for there had been utter silence for a space.

"Yes, father.'

'You have upset me very much, and made me very unhappy; but I wish you to say nothing to your mother, and we will talk about this again. Promise me one thing—that you will go back to Oxford at least until Christmas.'

'What is the good of that, sir?' asked his son dubiously.

What is the good of anything? for you have taken every bit of pleasure out of my life; but at least you can do as much as this for me.'

'Oh yes, father, if you wish it!' returned Dick, more cheerfully; but all the same, I have fixed upon a City life.'

'We will talk of that again,' replied his father; and, Dick, we go home to-morrow,

and unless you promise me not to come down to Hadleigh between this and Christmas, I shall be obliged to speak to Mrs. Challoner.'

'Oh, there is no need for that,' returned Dick sulkily.

'You give me your word?'

'Oh yes,' pushing aside his chair with a kick. 'It would be no use coming down to Hadleigh, for Nan would not speak to me. I know her too well for that. She has got such a conscience, you know. I shall write to her, but I do not know if she will answer my letters; but it does not matter—we shall both be true as steel. 'If you don't want me any more I think I will have a cigar on the beach, for this room is confoundedly hot ; and without waiting for permission, Dick strode off, still sulky, and fully aware that his father meant to follow him, for fear of his footsteps straying again down the Braidwood Road.

N

EVER was a father more devoted to his son's company than Mr. Mayne was that day. Dick's cigar was hardly alight before his father had joined him. When Dick grew weary of throwing stones aimlessly at imaginary objects, and voted the beach slow, Mr. Mayne proposed a walk with alacrity. They dined together-not talking much, it is true, for Dick was still sulky, and his father tired and inclined to headache; but keeping up a show of conversation for the waiter's benefit. But when that functionary had retired, and the wine was on the table, Dick made no further effort to be agreeable; but placed himself in the window seat and

VOL. II.

39

stared moodily at the sea, while his father watched him and drank his wine in silence. Mr. Mayne was fighting against drowsiness valiantly.

Dick knew this, and was waiting for an opportunity to make his escape.

'Had we not better ring for lights and coffee?' asked his father, as he felt the first ominous sensations stealing over him.

Not just yet. I feel rather disposed for a nap myself; and it is a shame to shut out the moonlight,' returned that wicked Dick, calling up a fib to his aid, and closing his eyes as he spoke.

The bait took. In another five minutes Mr. Mayne was nodding in earnest, and Dick on tiptoe had just softly closed the door behind him, and was taking his straw hat from its peg.

Nan was walking up and down the little dark lawn, feeling restless and out of sorts after the agitation of the morning, when she heard a low whistle at the other side of the wall, and her heart felt suddenly as light as a feather.

Dick saw her white gown as she came

down the flagged path to the gate to let him in. The moonlight seemed to light it up with a sort of glory.

You are a darling not to keep me waiting, for we have not a moment to lose,' he whispered, as she came up close to him. He is asleep now, but he will wake up as soon as he misses me. Have you expected me before, Nan? But indeed I have not been left to myself a moment.'

Oh, I knew all about it, my poor Dick,' she answered, looking at him so softly. Phillis is reading to mother in the parlour, and Dulce is in the work-room. I have nowhere to ask you unless you come in and talk to them. But mother is too upset to see you, I am afraid.’

'Let us wait here,' returned Dick boldly. 'No one can hear what we say, and I must speak to you alone. No; I had better not see your mother to-night, and the girls would be in the way. Shall you be tired, dear, if you stand out here a moment talking to me? for I

dare not wait long.'

'Oh no, I shall not be tired,' answered

Nan gently.

Tired, when she had her own