'Ah, pray excuse me, may I take a great liberty? you are Miss Ruthyn, of Knowl? Will you think me very impertinent--I'm afraid you will--if I venture to introduce myself? My name is Carysbroke, and I had the honour of knowing poor Mr. Ruthyn when I was quite a little boy, and he has shown a kindness for me since, and I hope you will pardon the liberty I fear I've taken. I think my friend, Lady Knollys, too, is a relation of yours; what a charming person she is!' 'Oh, is not she? such a darling!' I said, and then blushed at my outspoken affection. But he smiled kindly, as if he liked me for it; and he said-- 'You know whatever I think, I dare not quite say that; but frankly I can quite understand it. She preserves her youth so wonderfully, and her fun and her good-nature are so entirely girlish. What a sweet view you have selected,' he continued, changing all at once. 'I've stood just at this point so often to look back at that exquisite old bridge. Do you observe--you're an artist, I see--something very peculiar in that tint of the grey, with those odd cross stains of faded red and yellow?' 'I do, indeed; I was just remarking the peculiar beauty of the colouring--was not I, Milly?' Milly stared at me, and uttered an alarmed 'Yes,' and looked as if she had been caught in a robbery. 'Yes, and you have so very peculiar a background,' he resumed. 'It was better before the storm though; but it is very good still.' Then a little pause, and 'Do you know this country at all?' rather suddenly. 'No, not in the least--that is, I've only had the drive to this place; but what I did see interested me very much.' 'You will be charmed with it when you know it better--the very place for an artist. I'm a wretched scribbler myself, and I carry this little book in my pocket,' and he laughed deprecatingly while he drew forth a thin fishing-book, as it looked. 'They are mere memoranda, you see. I walk so much and come unexpectedly on such pretty nooks and studies, I just try to make a note of them, but it is really more writing than sketching; my sister says it is a cipher which nobody but myself understands. However, I'll try and explain just two--because you really ought to go and see the places. Oh, no; not that,' he laughed, as accidentally the page blew over, 'that's the Cat and Fiddle, a curious little pot-house, where they gave me some very good ale one day.' Milly at this exhibited some uneasy tokens of being about to speak, but not knowing what might be coming, I hastened to observe on the spirited little sketches to which he meant to draw my attention. 'I want to show you only the places within easy reach--a short ride or drive.' So he proceeded to turn over two or three, in addition to the two he had at first proposed, and then another; then a little sketch just tinted, and really quite a charming little gem, of Cousin Monica's pretty gabled old house; and every subject had its little criticism, or its narrative, or adventure.