“I believe I can show you some, although I can not give them to you,” replied Victoria, going to a large portfolio which was standing near. She opened the boards, and began to turn over the sketches it contained. He put down Nest, and went to examine it with great interest; there were many views in the forest, at the sight of which Nest frequently exclaimed she knew that spot, or she had seen this in Hilary’s sketch-book; and when Sybil joined them, she seemed to know every view, and owned that they had all been together, when such or such was done. At last they came to some groups of figures; the sisters again and again, Hilary always principal; and then single drawings, Sybil, Gwyneth, and Nest, evidently younger and more childish, but still very like. There was no finished drawing of Hilary alone; and Sybil owned that her sister never had sat to Mr. Huyton, as they had, again and again; she did not know why, perhaps he had never asked her: the views there were of her, were taken by stealth, or done from memory, perhaps. “It is hardly fair to show drawings which so plainly tell a tale,” whispered Mr. Farrington to Victoria, when Sybil had turned away to listen to Mrs. Fielding’s questions. “If these were mine, I would not allow them to be carelessly examined and investigated.” “Oh! I am breaking no confidence,” replied Victoria, in a laughing whisper; “Charles makes no secret of his object; the whole plan and intention of yesterday’s fête, was to distinguish one person above all others; and though we did not propose to risk drowning her, yet, I believe, he will by no means regret the accident, if all ends well. At any rate, it has secured him some important advantages.” Mr. Farrington looked excessively surprised at this communication, and made a mental determination to keep his own counsel, so far as Victoria was concerned, unless he wanted all the world to know his affairs. Sybil disappeared again just after this, much to Mr. Farrington’s disappointment; the only amusement left for him was what Victoria supplied; and although she was very entertaining and agreeable, as he was wishing all the time for something else, her powers of pleasing were lost upon him. “Where have you been?” was Victoria’s question, when Sybil joined them at the luncheon table; to which she replied, “she had gone out to finish her walk, as Hilary was still sleeping soundly; and she wished when her father arrived, to be quite fresh and ready to attend him.”