Miss Rivers shook her head. "They know nothing about it. He will never be better; but it is not because he is worse that this great doctor comes. He pays periodical visits. Donald always suffers; and I think he frets because his step-sisters and that cousin of yours come and sketch and talk in our room so often; it does him no good." "Am I wrong in interpreting your emphasis on '_that_ cousin of yours' as an unfavorable expression?" "Do you like him?" she asked, looking straight into his eyes. "No," replied Wilton, uncompromisingly; while he gave back her gaze with interest. "It is curious," she said, musingly, "for he never offends; he is accomplished; his voice is pleasant. Why do you not like him?" "I cannot tell. Why don't you?" "Ah! it is different. I--I am foolish, perhaps, to be so influenced by unreasoning instinct; but I fancy--I feel--he is not honest--not true. Are you really kinsmen?--of the same race, the same blood?" "Yes, I believe so! And may I infer from your question that you believe I am tolerably honest--beyond deserving to be intrusted with the forks and spoons, I mean?" "I do--I do, indeed." She spoke quite earnestly, and the words made Wilton's heart beat. Before, however, he had time to reply, a gentleman came round an angle of broken bank, crowned by a group of mountain ash, which in summer formed a very picturesque point, and to Wilton's great surprise he found himself face to face with St. George. Involuntarily he looked at Ella Rivers, but she seemed not in the least astonished; rather cold and collected. Suddenly it flashed into his mind that she had asked his escort to avoid a _tête-à-tête_ with the agreeable _attaché_, with a crowd of associated inferences not calculated to increase his cousinly regard. St. George raised his hat with a gentle smile. "I did not expect to have the pleasure of meeting you, Colonel, though I had intended paying you a visit. Miss Rivers, one has seldom a chance of finding you so far afield. I presume it is a favorable indication of the young laird's health that you can be spared to enjoy a ramble with Colonel Wilton." There was just the suspicion of a sneer about his lips as he spoke, which completed the measure of Wilton's indignation. But Miss Rivers replied with the most unmoved composure that Donald was as usual, and then walked on in silence. After a few remarks, very shortly answered by Wilton, the bland _attaché_ accepted his defeat. "Did you see a large brown dog along here? I had the brute with me this morning, and he has strayed. I do not like to return without him, for he is rather a favorite with Sir Peter." "Yes, I saw him just now further up the road, close to my gate," returned Wilton quickly, without adding what direction the animal had taken. "Thank you. Then I will prosecute my search instead of spoiling your _tête-à-tête_"--with which parting shot St. George left them.