"I can't tell," said Mary, dryly. "I never saw you together _through my glasses, you know_." Walter laughed at this innuendo. "You shall see us together to-morrow, if you will bless one of us with your company." "I might be in the way." "That is not very likely. Will you ride to Hammond Church to-morrow at about ten, and finish your sketch of the tower? I will bring Miss Clifford there, and introduce you to each other." This was settled, and Mary was apparently quite intent on her sketch when Walter and Julia rode up, and Walter said: "That is my cousin, Mary Bartley. May I introduce her to you?" "Of course. What a sweet face!" So the ladies were introduced, and Julia praised Mary's sketch, and Mary asked leave to add her to it, hanging, with pensive figure, over a tombstone. Julia took an admirable pose, and Mary, with her quick and facile fingers, had her on the paper in no time. Walter asked her, in a whisper, what she thought of her model. "I like her," said Mary. "She is rather pretty." "Rather pretty! Why, she is an acknowledged beauty." "A beauty? The idea! Long black thing!" Then they rode all together to the farm. There Mary was all innocent hospitality, and the obnoxious Julia kissed her at parting, and begged her to come and see her at the Hall. Mary did call, and found her with a young gentleman of short stature, who was devouring her with his eyes, but did not overflow in discourse, having a slight impediment in his speech. This was Mr. Percy Fitzroy. Julia introduced him. "And where are you staying, Percy?" inquired she. "At the D--D--Dun Cow." "What is that?" Walter explained that it was a small hostelry, but one that was occasionally honored by distinguished visitors. Miss Bartley staid there three days. "I h--hope to st--ay more than that," said little Percy, with an amorous glance at Julia. Miss Clifford took Mary to her room, and soon asked her what she thought of him; then, anticipating criticism, she said there was not much of him, but he was such a duck. "He dresses beautifully," was Mary's guarded remark. However, when Walter rode home with her, being now relieved of his attendance on Julia, she was more communicative. Said she: "I never knew before that a man could look like fresh cambric. Dear me! his head and his face and his little whiskers, his white scarf, his white waistcoat, and all his clothes, and himself, seem just washed and ironed and starched. _I looked round for the bandbox_." "Never mind," said Walter. "He is a great addition. My duties devolve on him. And I shall be free to--How her eyes shone and her voice mellowed when she spoke to him! Confess, now, love is a beautiful thing." "I can not say. Not experienced in beautiful things." And Mary looked mighty demure. "Of course not. What am I thinking of? You are only a child." "A little more than that, _please_." "At all events, love beautified _her_." "I saw no difference. She was always a lovely girl."