Year: 1879

never knew her age but she was the
daughter of my tutor. and dainty, win
some little lady. was about twenty ar
dent in the pursuit of field sports, tolerant
of most things save advice: generous
perhaps, mpulsivc undoubtedly. and over
head and ears in love with Constance Sill
verthorne.


My education was at that period any
thing but complete. was destined for
the diplomatic service, Il calling for which
time and opportunities have since discov-
cred me to be singuarly unfit In those
days. however, was vaguely ambitious.
and sustained by hope, u perfect digestion
and the conviction that, rs an Englishman,
| was superior to the less fortunate mortals
born on the other side of the British Chan
mel.


Nowadays my hopes are few and by no
means invigorating my digestion is a
thing OF the past; and rs have been tax
EN- in and outwtted by every foreign diplo-
mat with whom have had dealings, my
national egotism is somewhat less obtru-
sive than in the days of my giddy youth


Not the least memorable event in that
gay and reckless period was my sojourn
at Greybrdge with Rev. DR.. Silverthorne,
a wise and learned minister of the gospel.
whose knowledge of the classics and the
ology was renowned He was rector,
with large house. small living and an
only daughter At one time fellow of his
college, Christopher Silverthorne had es-
tablished his fame as II tutor, and to him |
was attracted in my despair at the pros
pect of a civil service examination, and
general idea us to my own incompetence
to pass it.


Greybridge, As every one familiar with
our dear old river knows, lies about Il mile
distant from the Thames. The church
however, and the ad diacent rectory stand
on high ground between the two. and the
private garden, which is full of old trees
tenanted by hundreds of squirrels, stretch
es from the top of the hill down to the
waters edge.


There was every comfort at the rectorv-
indeed, most of the luxuries of life were
discussable and enjoyable. The pupils
could do pretty much As they liked, and
with scarcely an exception they liked the
company of Miss Constance Silverthorne.
When joined the household in the month
of July, the only other pupil was Stuart
Smart Il young gentleman from Christ
Church, who was leisurelv reading with
the Docter for his forthcoming examina-
ton in Mods. Stuart was IL cheerful,
healthy, well-dressed young fellow, with
the prospect of pecunious future before
him, liable to laziness except in the matter
of cricket, and more than imperturable
in the matter of feminine advances.


Hi robur ct aes triplex


Oirca pectus erat,





At all events he gave me that impression,
and others also.


The Doctor received me affably and
with an air of cheerful dignity, made me
acquainted with the details of the house,
hold, and left me to my own devices until
dinner


Naturally enough Istrolled out among the
trees, watched the trisking squirrels with
some interest, and in few minutes found
myself on the rivers bank. 4 canoe and
"a pair-oared skiff were floating tempting
ly beneath me. Evidently they belonged
to the house, so | settled myself in the
canoe, and padded on voyage of dis
covery upstream.


The sun was hot was disnclined for ac-
tive exercise, and the little craft was urged
but slowly forward. Perhaps a mile of
river was leisurely traversed, and then the
Berkshire side rose into high and thickly
wooded ground. Foliage lightly kissed
the wavelets, and the bank was broken
here and there with shady recesses fit for
meditation and Irritation, if fortune and a
lady favored. Ipaddled toward an invit-
ing willow, anxious to avoid for few mo-
ments the glare of the sun, but was sud
denly interrupted by a girls voice on the
left.


"At the risk of being thought inquisitive,
may l ask what you are doing i'll that
canoep"


With sweep of the paddle turned my
craft and faced the speaker. She was
young and pretty, and was seated in a
canoe similar in size and shape to mine.
A book lay upon a proof which COW
cred her dress, and the look 6Dth which
she greeted me seemed to convey surprise,
Indignation and defiance