'I mustn't drive you back,' Stephen said, as they all came out together to the door. 'I should like it; but you see I've been taking holiday too, and must make up for lost time. However, you'll soon be here again, and we'll finish that canto of Marmion.'

He spoke confidently, and she did not gainsay him; for just then it sounded wondrously alluring.

'Steenie!' said Mrs. Redgrave, half jestingly, as they stood together in the porch watching the departing pair, it's all very well, but I'm afraid if Freda Chace comes here too often somebody's fingers may be burnt.'

'Whose? mine?' he said good-humouredly, turning about to face her, and thrusting his hands deep down into the pockets of his velveteen shooting-jacket.

'Ay, yours perhaps. about her face likely

man's head; but yours

There's something

enough to turn a

is a steadier one

than most, and it would take a good deal

to turn it. I was thinking of her. She might easily come to fancy that your civil ways mean more than they do, and that would be a pity; for she was a nice good girl, I'm sure.'

'Yes, she's a nice girl, and has sense enough to take care of herself. It would not be very easy, I fancy, to make a fool of her, even if I had any such cruel design, which I certainly haven't. I was only bent on making her enjoy herself against her will, and I think I succeeded. Don't you?' he added, with rather a mischievous look.

'Oh, yes, you succeeded,' Mrs. Redgrave agreed; but it's dangerous sport, Steenie, and you know, as I've told you before, you're too apt to amuse yourself in that way. It's all very well to talk of a girl's sense, but it won't make her proof against a good-looking fellow like you, when you choose to be agreeable.'

Stephen laughed, not altogether ill-pleased. 'You're giving me a very bad character, but I really don't think I deserve it. I've

no broken hearts on my conscience at present, and Freda Chace is quite safe, I And now I must be off to

assure you.

talk to Adams about those cottages, for

he's been waiting this half-hour.

CHAPTER IX.

'Her very frowns are fairer far
Than smiles of other maidens are.'

ES! it had been very, very pleasant.'
So Freda was forced to own

to herself, as she and Lottie drove home in the twilight; and yet, long before they came in sight of Hamelford lying dim and dark in the valley, the reaction had set in, and she was angry with herself for having been beguiled into enjoyment. It seemed to her that the influences of the fair home-like scene, the happy homelike ways, the unwonted idleness, had, as it were, intoxicated her for the time being; and she chafed now to think that Stephen should have won so easy a victory over

her. She had no had no mind to afford him triumph or entertainment, and she had a lurking conviction that he would triumph secretly in her surrender. Delightful as Hawkstone was, she would take care not to be found there too often. But the fates were all against her. It soon came to be discovered that she and Lottie could manage easily the three-mile walk; and so, whenever the chaise chanced to be in Hamelford, it was always worth while to send it round by the school-house, in order that they might drive across the moor, spend an hour or two at the farm, and walk back before dusk.

And lest this might not prove enough inducement, there would come pencil notes to Lottie about the new brood of chickens or ducklings, or the thrush's nest Stephen had found for her in the shrubbery. Of course Lottie was always importunate to go; and if Freda shook her head and made answer

'No, Lottie, I'm afraid we can't to-day, there's so much to do at home;'

Aunt Becky would put in her word, and,