Milly Darrell

mark the time, no change except the slow changes of the seasons; a

she had talked to me, pouring out all her thoughts and fancies with that confiding frankness which was one of the most charming attributes of her mind. For som

, so far as perfect non-interference with my doings, and a gracious manner when we are together, can go; but I am sure she does not like me. I have surprised her more than once looking at me with the strangest expression - a calculating, intensely thoughtful look, that made her face ten years older than it is at other times. Of course there are times when we are thrown together alone - though this does not occu

; "he was not a good father, and he is best forgott

nd he certainly seems thoroughly happy in her society. The marriage had the effect which I felt sure it must have - it has divid

ulian Stormont has been here, a

a nearer way than that for foot passengers, and I think a prettier one - a kind of cross-cut through the same wood. I consented willingly enough, having nothing better to do with myself, and we had a pleasant walk to church, talking of all kinds of things. As we returned Julian grew very se

had loved me all his life; that there was nothing my father would like better t

y cousin, he could never be nearer or dearer to me than that. The change in his face when he heard this almost frightened me. He grew deadly pale,

in a cold firm voice; "is there no hope

am never like

e else, then, I s

, there is

ry to me!" he cried

for him, in spite

"or that I do not feel honoured by your preference for me. No doubt there are many wom

fabric of his life, and then tells him to go and build elsewhere. I daresay there are women in the world who would condescend to marry me if I asked them

e were drawing near home, I begged that we might remain friends still, and that this unfortunate conversation might make no difference b

ne; "yes, we are still friends of cour

I cannot tell. Of course I cannot shut out of my mind the consideration that a marriage with me would be a matter of great worldly advantage to Julian, who has nothing but the

apart in one of the windows for some time talking to each other in a low confidential tone, while

he had forgiven me; but the affair has left an unpleasant feeling in my mind, a sort of vague dread of

er our breakfast, and I fancied there was some intention with regard to me in the minds of both - they seem indeed to think alike upon every subject. Dearly a

l afterwards, and it occurred to me that our head-gardener might find work for him in the way of weeding, and rolling the gravel paths, and such humble matters. Brook is a good kind old man, and always ready to do anything to please me; so I aske

one hand, and a little basket of dead leaves in the other, watching me as breathlessly as if I were some great surgeon operating upon a patient, would make you smile; but I think you could scarcely fail to be touched by his devotion. He tells me that he is so happy at Thornleigh, and he begins to look a great deal brighter already. The men

d seen the dear ones at home, and ill as my dear father could afford any addition to his expenses, he wished me to s

that Mr. and Mrs. Darrell were going abroad for some months, and asking me to cut short my term at A

salary which would enable me to buy my own clothes and leave a margin for an annual remittance to my father. I talked the subject over with him, and he wrote immediately to Miss Bagshot, requesting her

uiet. My dear girl came into the hall to receive me, and led me off to her pretty sitting-room,

ome to me, Mary?' she asked, whe

seems almost too bright a life for

ever you did of Albury Lodge. It will be rather a dull ki

tell me how all this came about. How was it yo

ornleigh for some time when the winter began; and she looked so pale and ill, that my father got anxious about her. The doctor here treated her in the usual stereotyped way, and made very light of her ailments, but recommended change of air and scene. Papa proposed going to Scarborough; but somehow or other Augusta contrived to change Scarborough into Paris, and they are to spend the winter and spring there, and perhaps g

ow good of you

y person, able to direct and protect me, and take the management of the house in her absence, and so on; but I said that I wanted neither direction nor protection; that the house wanted no other management than that of Mrs. Bunce the housekeeper, who has managed it ever since I was a baby; and that if I could not have Mary Croft

uch of Mr. Stormont since tha

rom Saturday afternoon till Monday morning, and he has treated m

-furnished breakfast-room on the ground-floor. We read together a great deal, going through a systematic course of study of a very different kind from the dry labours at Albury Lodge. There was a fine old library at Thornl

our visiting them frequently in a pleasant unceremonious manner; and we had

we used to take long rambles together whenever the weather was favourable - rambles across the moo