there was a marquee erected for the guests to dance in. There was quite a gathering; numbers of ladies and gentlemen had been invited, and among them Fred Cornwall, who had returned from his holiday trip. The young lawyer was dancing now with Fanny, and Miser Farebrother said: "I shouldn't wonder if that was to be a match. When it is arranged, look out for a splendid wedding present from me;" and Fanny coming up, the miser pinched her cheek, and said something which made her blush. It was altogether a most exhilarating entertainment, and the union of the relations most harmonious. Of course it was a lovely night, and as the dreamer arrived at the bank, he said to himself, "I have passed the pleasantest day in my remembrance." While he was at his desk a conversation took place at home between Fanny and her mother respecting Fred Cornwall. He had called upon the Lethbridges on the previous evening, and although he was full of agreeable chat, he seemed disappointed at not finding Phoebe at her aunt's house. As he had said in his last letter to Fanny, he had brought presents home for all of them, and when Fanny twitted him privately with having nothing for Phoebe, he answered, "Oh, yes, I have; but I must give them to her personally." "To-morrow will be a capital time to give her a present," said Fanny. "Is she coming here to-morrow?" asked Fred, eagerly. "No," replied Fanny; "we are all going to her at Parksides. It is her birthday." "She did not leave me an invitation, I suppose?" said Fred. "No," said Fanny; "but if I were a young gentleman I shouldn't wait for one." "Wouldn't you?" "No. I should make my way to Parksides, and take my presents with me, and give her a delightful surprise." "Do you really think I might venture?" "_I_ shouldn't think twice about it," said Fanny, vivaciously. "But you mustn't come with us, because, of course, we don't know anything about it. We shall be quite astonished when you make your appearance with a flourish of trumpets." There and then the affectionate conspiracy was discussed and planned, and Fred said that Fanny was the dearest girl living, which Fanny disputed, asking how could she be when Phoebe stopped the way. It was about noon on the Saturday that Fanny said to her mother, "I am going to let you into a secret." Aunt Leth's thoughts immediately travelled to Fred Cornwall. She had observed the whispered conference which had taken place on the previous night between the young man and her daughter, with their heads very close together, and she had formed her own conclusions; and now the secret was about to be revealed. Fred had been making serious love to Fanny; there could not be a doubt that this was Fanny's secret. "Yes, my dear," said Mrs. Lethbridge, tenderly. "It is about Mr. Cornwall," said Fanny. "Yes, Fanny."