In a few days more the pictures were finished and sent to the Academy. Cornelius felt no fear. His confidence was justified, for he soon learned, on good authority, that "The Young Girl Reading" and the two Italian pieces were not rejected. He expressed neither surprise nor pleasure. Indeed there was altogether about him an air of indifference and _ennui_ that struck his sister. She went up to him as he stood leaning against the mantelpiece, and laying her hand on her arm, she asked a little anxiously-- "What's the matter, lad? That girl has not been provoking you again; she's but a child, you know, and will grow wiser." "Of course she will," he replied, smoothing my hair, for I, too, stood by him; "a year or two will make a great change, Kate." His sister smiled a little archly. Cornelius asked if I would not take a walk. I accepted, and we had a long and pleasant stroll in the lanes, that already began to wear the light and tender verdure of spring. I saw by Kate's face when we returned, that something had happened. At length it came out. Mrs. Brand had called to see me. Mrs. Brand had learned by the merest chance that I was no longer at Thornton House, and was greatly grieved that I had not made the fact known to her sooner. Any resentment against me, for refusing to enter into her scheme, with regard to Mr. Thornton, did not seem to linger in her mind. She was all cousinly love and affection, reminded me of the promise I had made to spend some time at Poplar Lodge, and had parted from Miss O'Reilly with the avowed intention of coming to fetch me the very next day. I looked at Cornelius, who smiled, and leaning on the back of my chair, said kindly: "Why should you not have a little change and pleasure, my pet? You will not stay there more than a week or two." "Yes, Cornelius, but it is the time of the Academy." "What matter!" he interrupted; "we know the pictures are all right, and we have months to look at them together." I was very glad he took this view of the subject; for I wished to redeem my promise to my cousin, whose kindness I could not quite forget; and yet I would not for anything or any one have vexed Cornelius. Thus, therefore, it was settled with the approbation of Kate, who added, however, with a peculiar smile: "You let her go, Cornelius; but you'll be dreadful fidgetty until she comes back." "Of course I shall," he replied, smiling rather oddly. I knew he loved me dearly. I looked up at him with some pride; he looked down with an ardent fondness that went to my very heart. Unasked, I promised not to remain more than a week away. In the course of the next day Mrs. Brand called for me. Cornelius had gone out early, and had not come in. I told Kate to bid him adieu, and tell him I should not remain beyond the week. She smiled. "A week, child!" she said; "be glad if he lets you remain three days away."