The Real Charlotte. 207 



thing ; but, by Jove ! 1 was sorry to see the way she went 

 on with that fellow Hawkins. Here he was, morning, noon, 

 and night, walking with her, and steam-launching, and 

 spooning, and setting all the old women in the place prat- 

 ing. I spoke to her about it, and much thanks I got, 

 though there was a time she was ready enough to mind 

 what I said to her." During this recital Mr. Lambert's 

 voice had been deficient in the accent of gentlemanlike 

 self importance that in calmer moments he was careful to 

 impart to it, and the raw Limerick brogue was on top as he 

 said, " Yes, by George ! I remember the time when she wasn't 

 above fancying your humble servant ! " 



He had almost forgotten his original idea ; his own 

 position, long brooded over, rose up out of all proportion, 

 and confused his mental perspective, till Christopher 

 Dysart's opinions were lost sight of. He was recalled to 

 himself by a startling expression on the face of his con- 

 fidant, an expression of almost unconcealed disgust, that 

 checked effectively any further outpourings. Christopher 

 did not look at him again, but turned from the window, 

 and, taking up Miss Mullen's photograph-book, proceeded 

 to a minute inspection of its contents. Neither he nor 

 Lambert quite knew what would happen next, each in his 

 own way being angry enough for any emergency, and both 

 felt an extreme relief when Francie's abrupt entrance closed 

 the situation. 



" Well, I wasn't long now, was I ? " she said breathlessly \ 

 " but what'll I do ? 1 can't find my gloves ! " She swept 

 out of the corner of the sofa a cat that had been slumbering 

 unseen behind a cushion. " Here they are ! and full of 

 fleas, I'll be bound, after Clementina sleeping on them ! 

 Oh, goodness ! Are both of you too angry to speak to me? 

 I didn't think I was so long. Come on out to the yard ; 

 you can't say I'm keeping you now." 



She whirled out of the room, and by the time Lambert 

 and Christopher got into the yard, she had somehow 

 dragged the black mare out of the cow-shed and was 

 clambering on to her back with the aid of a wheel-barrow. 



Riding has many charms, but none of its eulogists have 

 properly dwelt on the advantages it offers to the unconver- 

 satjonaL To ride in silence is the least marked form of un- 



