persist in demanding the fulfilment of the latter clause, I must put in my claims more decisively on the former, and entreat his arm to the ante-room. I am exhausted with the heat of this."

The effect of this announcement was, of course, to turn the tide of solicitation into one of sympathy and concern, and amid a thousand protestations of regret and condolence, Miss Annesley contrived to instal another fair vocalist in her own vacated seat at the harp, and taking the arm of her guardian sauntered leisurely through the open doors.

The ante-room was filled with card-players, light, incense, and a Christmas-fire.

"If our search be for fresh air," said Lord Harewood, "it is not likely to be more successful than searches in general from the Peri downwards."

"For shame, my Lord," answered Ruth playfully," that is a more cynical speech than I

ever dreamt of hearing from you; and enough to make me assume the task of guardianship to myself. You ought rather to show me, by precept and example, that diligence and perseverance may make any search success

ful."

His Lordship smiled-but it was not the smile and advancing to a window at the extremity of the great drawing-room, laid his hand upon the sash

"A Gordian knot may be cut at all events," said he, and would have thrown it up, but Miss Annesley prevented him.

"Please do not incommode all the world for my whim," said she; "let me guide you, and we shall untie the knot together.”

They crossed the drawing-room at its lowest. extremity and passed through another small ante-room, furnished in all respects like the former. The gentleman threw open the door of egress, and they stepped within the threshold

of a magnificent conservatory, the damp air of which and its marble pavement left Miss Annesley nothing of coolness to desire. One or two glimmering and half-exhausted lamps twinkled through their painted shades to render the darkness visible, and Ruth found just sufficient light to guide her to the nearest fauteuil into which she threw herself with an expression of light-hearted weariness, and stretching out her hand, placed her jewelled fingers under the little torrent of a fairy fountain whose waters dashed and rippled from the urn of an alabaster muse.

"I cannot allow you to be so imprudent, Miss Annesley," said his Lordship, putting her hand aside; “the fountain is supplied from the ice-house and is most dangerous for you, overheated as you are."

"Miss Annesley is much obliged by your paternal interest for her, my Lord," said Ruth with mock deference;" but cannot at all permit

even Lord Harewood, the pattern of guardians, to prescribe for her in a bad humour."

"Bad humour!" repeated his Lordship, "what can you possibly mean?"

"Nothing very disrespectful," answered she laughing, "only that something has ruffled you into displeasure against me.”

"Displeasure!" repeated Lord Harewood once more. "Ah! Ruth, Ruth! Shall I tell you the head and front of mine offending?"

"If you please, my Lord," was the reply, and the very next instant she wished it unsaid.

CHAPTER V.

“Will you have me, Lady?”

"No, my Lord."

SHAKSPEARE.

THE half defined apprehension fled, however, when his Lordship seated himself near her, and having controuled his momentary agitation by a slight effort, said, "I have been thinking that this day is the second anniversary of my sister Louisa's marriage; and I cannot forget that it carried away with it the last remnant of domestic happiness from beneath my roof."