248 ANGLING FOR BEATRICE. 



young lady comes into sight with a decided 

 flush of anger in her cheeks. 



The witch is clothed in grey from head to 

 boots. She has grey gloves, and grey gaiters 

 below her short dress, a grey hat with a grey 

 feather, but she wears her tender blush roses 

 in her cheeks. 



I was to make the advance this time, and I 

 was in such a hurry to do it, that I stepped 

 deliberately into the brook to cross over for 

 the purpose. 



" Now, Willie, as you are in the water, make 

 yourself useful. Disentangle the casting lines. 

 You were very rude last night. I was going 

 not to speak to you again. No, stand off, and 

 confess you have been jealous, stupid, nasty " 



" I will confess anything, only say, 



" Say what ? " 



" That you 1 " 



" Certainly not ; but, Willie, I never played 

 Chopin's "Invitation" for Villiers. That is your 

 favourite, you know, and I will never play it 

 for any one else in the world. Do you want 

 me to say more ? " 



" No, darling, I do not." 



