“Oh, Ronald, I do!” she suddenly exclaimed; and then they forgot everything else in that wonderful first embrace of love, in which the gates of a new world seemed flung open before them, and they walked alone in that new world, as though it were their own for evermore. “But, Ronald,” said Sheila gravely, after those first golden moments had passed, and they began to awake to the realities of life, “you must not ask me to be impatient or selfish. I must think of other people as well, and I must not promise anything without the consent of my uncles.” “But you are nearly of age, my darling; you will soon be your own mistress.” “Yes, but that is not quite it, Ronald. My uncles have been very kind to me; my home is with one of them, and my aunt begins to depend upon me. I must not be selfish; you would not like me if I were. We may have to wait a little perhaps, but you won’t mind that, will you, Ronald?” “I don’t know,” answered Ronald. “And I have an idea your aunt will set herself against this, and she rules your uncle. I won’t have you spirited away from me again, Sheila. That I can’t stand!” She laughed and put her hand upon his lips. “Don’t say rude things of my nice aunt and uncle. They are a great deal kinder to me than I deserve, for I did not always treat them very nicely.” “Stuff! you were an angel; it was they who bullied you, and that Effie always wanted to come between us.” “No, she didn’t; that is all your fancy. Effie is much nicer than you think, and is getting more sensible and stronger every week. She will be on our side, I know. And, Ronald, I only want us to be reasonable and unselfish, and not put ourselves and our affairs first. If you asked Miss Adene, she would tell you just the same.” “I know she would,” said Ronald, laughing, and then in a graver voice he added, “Yes, Sheila, you are quite right; one must learn to take the second place, and think of other people as well as oneself. If you can be patient, so can I; and I love you all the better for your unselfishness.” “I wish I were unselfish,” said Sheila with a sigh. “I am only trying to be, and it does not seem quite so hard when one is very, very happy.” Then Ronald bent over her, kissed her once more, picked up the fallen flowers, and walked towards the house. (_To be concluded._) THE PLEASURES OF BEE-KEEPING. BY F. W. L. SLADEN. PART VI.