I feel more than ordinarily depressed and weary. The tide is far out: hardly a breath of wind disturbs the surface of the waters. Seating myself upon a flat rock, I open my book and commence to read. But my thoughts will not be controlled. Raising my eyes, I look seaward, and wonder at the great pale mist that spreads itself north and south. The horizon sinks into the ocean, and veils of vapory substance are everywhere. I sigh, and turning dejectedly from the unvarying scene before me, discover Marmaduke coming towards me across the sands. "What a curious light!" he says, without greeting of any kind and sits down upon the pebbles at my feet. "Very," I answer, stupidly, and then begin to wonder vaguely what has brought him to-day from the busy town, and who has betrayed my favorite hiding-place. Presently, unconsciously I sigh again, and turn my face from him. "What is it?" asks he, kindly, taking my hand--not affectionately, merely reassuringly. "Tell me the truth now to-day. Is it that you hate me?" "I hardly know," I return, wearily, "No, it is not hatred, I think; it is indifference." We rise, and pace silently homewards. It is the evening of the same day, My depression of the morning has vanished, leaving a spirit of provocation in its place. I am in the drawing-room, lounging idly in a low cushioned chair, with Fifine, my pet Skye, in my lap. I amuse myself, and gratify the wickedness within me, by practising upon the long-suffering animal such mild torments as disturb without maddening her. 'Duke, under the impression that there is a fire in the grate stands with his back to the fireplace, and stares at me. "I wish," he remarks presently, without premeditation, "you could be induced to take Sir James' advice and seek change of air. This solitary hole must have a bad effect upon your health. "I have borne the solitude for so many months that I dare day I can bear it again. Though, indeed," mischievously, "I had company at times. I could actually have been married, had I so chosen." "What!" says Marmaduke, in a low tone, flushing. "I could have been married, had I so chosen," I repeat, with much gusto. "Why do you look so surprised? I was free, was I not? There was no reason, then, why I should not listen to any man's proposal." "What do you mean, Phyllis?" sternly. "Just what I say. A friend of ours who is aware of all the circumstances of our case, came here one day and made me a handsome offer of his hand and what he is pleased to term his heart." "Did Gore come down here to see you?" "Not so much for that as to ask me to marry him." "The scoundrel!" says 'Duke, through his closed teeth.