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canoe. and though it struck Affair."

cance, and though it struck Adalri
he took no notice OF 1t.
"Of course, there will be a great
deal of OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES con-
sultation," he resumed; "and even
if 1 take my wards wishes in this
matter for granted, Mr.. Adair, I can
say nothing for certain respecting
this proposal at present"
Indeed, sir, I fell very grateful
that you should take the matter into
consideration at ALL" returned the
young man, gravely. "It is quite as
much as I could have dared to hope
for. But as to consulting others,
I trust entirely, next to Miss Gil
bert's regard for me, to your own
view of my character. 1t may be
much too kind a one-indeed, I feel
it to be so; but the truth is, sir, l
have not the qualities that win pop
ularity, and elsewhere I can scarcely
look for favor. Poverty and friend
lessness are passports to your good
will; that is not, however, the case
with, the world at large, sir, but far
otherwise"
"You shall have fair play, Adair,
you may be sure of that" said the
canon, assuringly. II shall not be
persuaded to do you the least injus-
tice."
There was another prolonged
pause. Adair, convinced that he had
gained his end, was unwilling to
break ground in any direction. The
more, too, he left his companion to
his own reflections, the more likely
he felt he would be to regard the
matter as a fait accompli.
I'm case this marriage should take
place." continued the canon, though
fully, 81 suppose you young people
would be rather in a hurry. I have
myself said that I am adverse to any
long engagement, but there must be
nothing to distract the mind, such as
a honeymoon, before the Tripos.
You must take your degree, you
know, since your position in the ex-
animation will form your future Gre
dentials."
II quite understand that, sir" re-
turned the young man, quietly.
Moreover, I should like to win my
spurs-to distinguish myself in the
only way that for the present lies in
my power-for-for Sophy's sake"
THAT is we'll said," observed the
canon, gently.
Though the canon had thus quito
made up his mind, it was not free
from qualms as respected the oppo-
sition which his consent to Adair's
offer was likely to meet with. He
expected some epigrammatic disap-
probation from Mr.. MAYORS, and a
word or two of quiet but decided
condemnation from his sister. But
in this, as it turned out, he was
a~greeably disappointed. Sophy her
self, it is true, did not exhibit much
enthusiasm when he informed her
that her lovers prayer was granted.
She was very far from being moved,
but her feelings seemed to take a re-
Prospective direction.I
She threw herself upon her guard
ian's neck and poured out her very
heart in gratitude for his long con-
tinued kindness to her. 1t would
have seemed to a less ~unegotistic
nature that she grieved more at part
ing from so true and tried a friend
than she rejoiced at the happiness
that was awaiting her, There was
no doubt, however, of her having
plighted faith with the young
scholar, and, on the whole, the canon
was not d%ispleased that she dis
played no raptures at the prospect
before her. Such subdued bliss, he
philosophically concluded, was more
likely to last.
Mr.. MAYORS received the intelli-
gence without one word Of criticism
or comment. 1t was not, as his
friend was well aware, an example
of silence giving consent; but it was
something that he forebore to speak
his mind. He seemed to be quite
prepared for the news and to bow to
the inevitable. All he said was: Il
hope with all my heart that Miss
Sophy may be happy"
: Miss .Aldred exhibited considerably
more surprise, but also restrained
from any expression Of opinion.
You know, William" she OBJ
served, gravely, where I wished her
choice to fall, but since she has made
her own selection, l have not a word
to say against It,"