CHAPTER V.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, 3 December 1887, Page 6

CHAPTER Y.

X*Tri: i .i ; v, Janie Wyg ram rcgaulcd with an) thing bub favour the young man v. ho v a- thn-' claiming so much of her bckned Sabie'- attention ; and her jealousy of him made her all the more determined that Sabina should go to Walter LukKixV \mly. "But why should I goV Subina f-uid' quite «lo l-uatuiedly. '"Sonic people aie interested in such thing-, but I am not. (Standing ibout among a lot ofhalf-stiangcib and ti\mg to talk about things that are quite indifteient to you '' '•Oh, but Sabie, jou don't know, hc-r : a rid -aid. " It's not like that at Mr Lindsa\ V They're Mnall parties and thcie's no ouca^ked whoiMi'teithercle\er, or pretty, or .emrukalilc in some way , and there i- o\ery kind of fiecdom *md amusement and ireuimuit. You will find no old people thei~ at all, except niothei, who io to play duenna for all of ih.' 1 " Ko, no, .jame," Sabina said. " T -houkl xno-t likely be riied by that time of night, and jou wouldn't want a kill-joy to come in r among a lot of folks? amuoing them<=clm>." '• But \ou can't help going, Sabie. dcii," her fuMid :-aid insidiously. '■ indeed. And why ?" " Not when I tell you that jou will con-k-i a gieai kindne^ on se\cral people, and on two in pu ticuhir. That is enough ie i&on foi 3 o1!,o 1 !, S ible."' S.s.bn.a laughed ; it v, as a dexterous piece of Hat Lei y. ''Dut who arc the t»\o people in particular? ' she n^ked. " Mr Lmdnay i-> the one, and J hm the othei .'' " Then I will t^o to please yon," Sabina &;ticl, in her frank and generoun way ; and foithwifch the gad-hearted Janie made swiftly for her own \oom to &end a little note to Mr Lindsay, inforining him of the joyful new o. As the eventful evening drew near, the Ji^tlc Mi -5 Wygiani a^nmpd a more and moie iinpoit mt air : lor i-hc liad undei taken to supei intend the domestic arrangements ior the young artist ; and .she was in all his sjU'cti ; Mid \cry earnest were their conf .bulation- together. J>ut one afternoon the cam" home looking lather puzzled. "Janie," she said to her daughter, " what i> ifc about; a falcon ?" " Whftbfdlcon, mother?" ] (t I doii't understand at all ; bub twice to day ho has bind the same thing ; you &cc, 1 was lemonstrating with him about hH c iti.ivagtinee : and really the way he is going on i^ ab&urd : oh, I assure you, thei'e ! i-> nothing in Co\ent Carden half good j enough: I l>elic\e he would telegraph to the Bia^ils if theie \\tis time to get back the things. Well, T was saying how absurd it was, and that people did nob expect such entertainments at a bacheloi'b hou&c ; and then id was ho said, ' I wish 1 had nothing left but my falcon.' And then again he said : ' Jiut when is my falcon to he brought in: And when I a** keel him what falcon, he only laughed and turned to .something el-e." '•Mother," cried Janie, "don't you know the old Italian story '{" The mother looked as puz/led as ever. *' Why, ib has been told a hundred bimes. It wai about a young gentleman of Florence vho wanted all his wealth in giving entertainments to pleas-e hib lad>-lo\e; bub .she did nob care for him ; f-he married someone cUo ; and he went away into the country, very poor, and bawng nothing left him but his pet fileon. Then by and-byo &he became a w idow ; and she was living in the country, too ; and her lilble boy tell sick, and nothing would do but bhat he must havo the lalfon that he had Been flying over the neighbouring garden. Ho she went j with another lady to the house, and there was her former lovev, and he was greatly di?-tre-^ed thab there was nothing in the house he could have cooked foy them, for &he had said thab f-he would eat something. Do you Understand no 1 . 1 /, mother? Ho bade his servant go (juickly and strangle the falcon— the la r jt ot all hi* possessions — and thai va's cooked and brought in and" sob (before them. And then, of course when the lady made her request about the talcon, She had "to confess what lie had done in order to ontert/un her; and sho to so much struck by his generosity that pljo foil m love with him, and married him. Have you never heard the story? Iho young centleman's name wu? Forlorigo ; and the lady's Monna Giovanna. And you may be fcuro thab was what Mr Lindsay meant,

mother ; and very certain lam that he would be content to part with everything lie has, and to sacrifice pet falcon ana everything elso, if that would only win him I his Monna Giovanna." " And who may she be ?" the mothor said, demurely. " Oh, of course you don't know, mother ! It would never enter your head— not for a moment — that it was our Sabie who is Mr Lindsays Monna Giovanna 1" " What fools men are !" the mother sighed. " They may or they may not be ; I don't know," the daughter said, valiantly, "but I do know that if I were a man I should consider myself a fool if I were not in love with Sabie." And at length the great evening arrived ; and everything had been done that the most amious consideration could think of ; and all that Avas wanting now was the presence of Sabina to iniuliate the feast. As a matter of fact, shu and Mrs Wygram and Janie came rather late ; all the others had assembled, and were idling away the time in the studio, laughing and joking and examining the sketches ; but Walter Lindsay was in front of tho house, by himself, and rather nervously waiting. Then there was tho noise of a cab ; the gate bell wa.s rung ; and the yellow gasl.unps ga-^e but libble relief ; but it seemed to him that when Sabina stepped out on to the pavement— so tali and queenly she was, and yet with vuch a frank and generous good-natuie in her face— that there was some kind of moonlight around. He had eyes only for her ; ho vas a little bew ildered ; she seemed something radianthero in the dusk. "It is very kind of you to conic, 1 ' he said ; but he did not know what he was saying. TTc accompanied them into tho house : could this beautiful crcatme know how groat a iavour she was conferring by merely stepping \\ ithin the door ? And >\\c smiled so graciously on the little maid who asked them to go into the improvised cloak-ioom : did she know that that, too, was a kindness ? — that she could so easily make friends with her v inning looks and her gentle manner? but at thi* moment Janie Wygram hung back from her companions ; and said to him, in a half whisper :—: — " It, the falcon being cooked ?"' " There is no such luck for me," .-aid he ; and then he added quickly : " But do you think, now, that Miss Zembra could be prevailed upon to take away some little thing a 1 - a som cnir ''. Theto aic all kind of things in this studio. If you tound her interested in an} of i hem could you give mo a hint ? Anj tiling, no matter what, an) thing in the house." " I don't know ,'" '-aid Miss Janie ; but she could not add another wotd then, for she had to follow hei companions into the cloaki oom. Forthwith he sent word to have supper served as soon a 1 - po.-^ible ; and w hen these new guests re-appeared he would have them remain in the drawing-room. He seemed to forgot the others whom he had loft in the studio- Jt was Sabina whom he wanted to look at these sketches, and medallions, and miniatures, and what not ; and so anxious was he to interest hor, and ,so strangely did the magic of her picsence affect him, that his lingers were not so steady as they might | have been. " Why, your hand shakes," she said (for she was rather blunt-spoken on occasion). " What is it ? Too much Arts Club at midnight ?" It was a cruel speech, though it was not meant cruelly. How could he explain to her w hat it was that made hid hand a trifle unsteady ? Or how could he say to her that ho wouid willingly ne\er enter within the doors of the Arts Club again, if she but cxpiessed the slightest wish on the subject? " But your other friends, Mr Lindsay ?' said Mi p Wygiam, who con&ideied herself responsible tor the proper conduct of the proceeding?*. "Should we not go into tho ttuilio ?"' " Oh, no," said he. " They're all right. Borella is there ; he will keep them lively enough." In fact, they could hear the sound of a piano in the distance. " That is another thing I wanted to warn you about, Miss Janie. Don't you keep insisting on encores. Borella is the best fellow in the w orld, but he is rather noisy, and he lilies to monopoli-c tho piano. Xow when ho wants to go, let him go ; and then we shall ha\e a nice quiet evening by ourselves." Of course, Miss Janie knew very well it was about Sabina he was thinking ; perhaps she might not like too hilarious an evening ; for there was something gia\e and serious ■ in her manner, c\en with all its gracious s\\ eetness. Then came tho butler (he was a butler only at night ; by day he, was an old man model, and fa\ourably known throughout the studios for his prominent nose and shaggy eyebrows ; it should be said, moreo\er, that his ability in both capacities wcic maiked, and that he could decant a bottle of port just as well as he could pose as an ancient Highland cateran, or a scowling miser, or a smiling grandpapa) to say that supper was served ; and Mr Lindsay escorted these three guests into tho diningroom. It was a clever little scheme. " Miss Zembra," said he, " will you take this seat, if you please ? Mrs Wygram has been so kind as to offer to take the other end of the table — she can see that things are goinp: on rightly — and— and fcho servant* understand " It was a clever little scheme ; for now, without fear of any mistake, Miss Zembra would be peated next him, and on his light hand al«o ; and there awaiting her was the bouquet he bad himself designed for her ; while Mrs Wygram, instead of being annoyed at not finding herself in the place of honour, consideicd herself promoted to the position of mistress to the feast. Janie Wygram smiled to hciself, but said nothing ; and with a light heart Walter Lindsay went away to summon his other guests from the studio. It was a pretty scene at that supper- table when they had all come in and taken their places — the shining silver and the Venetian glass ; the shaded candles shedding a soft roseate glow on tho cover ; the abundant flowers ; the baskets of fruit ; the faces of young men and maidens growing blither as the talk became more and more animated. And if there was a ti'iue too much noise in the neighbourhood of the black-a-vised baritone — who was telling very, very old stories in half -intelligible English, and laughing boisterously at the same — well, that was all the more convenient for any of the quieter folk, who perhaps had their own littlesentences(timid, and hesitatingaud hardly daring tosay all that might be said) to communicate to each other in their small, separate sets. Walter Lindsay was not sorry to be able to murmur a word or two unheard by the general crowd t even if there was no particular secret to be conveyed : it was something that ho could speak to Sabina, as it were, alone. And then she was looking fo beautiful this evening. — f, 0 calm, and bland, and complaisant ; and the gracious outline of her neck, ns she bent forward a little to listen, was something to steal one's heart away. Her stepmother had said she was a dowdy in her dre^R. Well, on ordinary busy days she generally wore a tight-fitting gown of brownish-grey homespun, with a jacket to match ; and her brown felt bonnet was serviceable enough ; and if you had met her

in Kensington High-street, or in Cromwell Road, you would have thought little of the costume, though perhaps her stature, and her gait, and the set of her head might have attracted a brief notice. But to-night there was naturally something different. She wore a dress of pale blue Indian silk, with ajichu of faintly yellow lace coming round the nock and bosom ; and for solb ornament, where ihejlchu met the gown, bhero was a bunch of real forget-me-nots. Walter Lindsay looked afc these from time to time. What falcon would he not have sacrificed to gain possession^ of any one of them ? And yet ho had a little score to setblo with her. If any other person' had told him that ho had a shaky hand, he would not have heeded much ; besides^ such was not the case, for, although ho had the artist's temperament, and was exceedingly sensitive in many ways, his nerves were as sound as a bell. But that Sabina should have taunted him was too bad : and hor reference to tho Arts Club ! •' Miss Zembra,"' he made bold to say (but still in that undertone that ho secmod to profer), " what did you mean by saying that my hand shook ?" " Did I ?" she said, and she looked up.And then something in his manner appeared i to amuse her. "If I hurt your feelings J am very sony." " What did you mean by too much Arts Club at midnight?" said' he, for he was determined to clear himself of the charge. " I am a hospital nurse on occasion," she .said, laughing. " I suppose I spoke professionally. But really I did not mean anything serious, Mr Lind?ay — oh, of course, not." "Oh, but I'm going 1 to have it out with 1 * you," said he. " L\\ ant just to toe wholhur you or I have the steadier hand ' " No, no ; if I apologise to you — " "But I want to see. Now just you lift your wine-glass and I will hold up mine, and we will sec who can let them come closest without actually touching." "Well, she wits good-"natured ; they went through that little performance ; and certainly both their hands now seemed steady enough. "Can I do more than apologise ?'' sho said, as she put down her glass again. " 1 did not mean to offend you." " Offend me !" lie looked at her; that Mas all. Meanwhile, the robust baritone had chanced to catch sight ot that raising of glu&ses. and imagining that it \\ as merely the ru\hnl of an old custom, he feet to work at his end of the table, and presently there was a good deal of drinking of healths- and clinking of glasses, with even an occasional " S(owf an f—setzt an !—fcrti<j !—!o^ !" It was in the midst of this hubbub of chatter and meniment that Mrs Wygram found an opportunity of saying to her daughter, who happened io sit next her : " Janie, don'b look up the (able, but do you know what is going on ? I can. bell you. Arc you aware that your darling Sabina is showing herself as nothing else bub an outlageous flirt?'' "She is not, mother!" Janio said indignantly. " She doesn't know what flirtation is ! ' " It's a remarkable good imitation of it, then, that is going on up there," said tho little old lady, still with her e-yos cast down. " I've never seen anything worse anywhere* Why, Mr Lindsay has nob said a word to a soul since we sat down to supper ; he has oye& and ears tor nobody bub hor !"

" And whose fault is that ?" said Janic ; "that ib his fault, not hers. Of course, she is kind co him, as. she would bo to any one hitting; in his place. It's little you know about Sabio if you think that of her." (v I can use my eyes." said Mrs Wygram, "and they're older than yours, my girl." "You know you're only saying that to vex me, mother ; and you can't do it. No, you cin't ; 1 know Sabie better than that." "At all events/ the mother said, to close this underhand discussion, "an all events Mr Lindsay is having one happy evening in hi.s life." Nor was Mrs Wygram the only one who was casually observant of what was going on at the upper end of the table. A tall, rather good-looking fellow— a recentlyelected Associate he was, and very proud of his new honours — said to his neighbour, who was a lively little maiden with a roseate face, a piquant nose, and ravenblack hair : "Who is the lady of the forget-me-nots ?" She glanced up the table. "Oh, don't you know? That is Miss Zembra— a daughter of Sir Anthony Zembra —the Parliament man, don't you know? Pretty, isn't she ?" " How long have Walter Lindsay and she known each other ?" he asked. There was some kind of significance in his tone. " I think for some time," said his companion. " But I believe sho has never been in his house before. She doesn't care for such things — nursing babies and old women is more in her line. It's all very well if they would only wash their faces." " Oh, they've known each other for some time ?" "I believe so." " Oh, they've known each other for some time ?" What did he mean by this repetition ? What ho was trying to do, at all events, was to get his companion to raise her eyos to his, to ask what his meaning was ; bub she was a Rhrcwd littlo lass, and knew better than to be drawn into any such understanding. " Well, I suppose it's none of my business," he said, finally ; and that was a very sensible conclusion. And now did Walter Lindsay call down the blessings of heaven on Borella'a wildlymatted head ; for the noisy baritone had taken to performing 1 conjuring tricks, and the attention of everyone at the table was directed towai'ds him. And Sabina wished to look on also, for she loved amusement as well as anyone, when the chance was there ; but her companion would not let her. He

gesied that they should go away into the studi©' to have a little music ; ho had to leave* soon,, he explained. And then there was- so fetching oi wraps, for the women folk;, aaicl soiMjefeow Walter Lindsay managed bo< secui'e Safoina's long fur cloak ; and Its it was \rlbo puit it round her should©^, and. would- evew insist that it was properly fastened »fc tE»e throat, for the 1 night was- cold. Wbci* bkey went outside into- the back garden,. &M tlie further end of which was the studio r they found that the night skies had growm eltearer, and starswere shining palely ©veuhead. Sabina thought of the dai'lc ecwrly. morning in East London % and of her cross-ing from the nurse's doumifcory to tha wards ; she was a littlo grave as the gjio&t-like proces&ion passed atong fronn the house, through this weird gloom, to the yellow light of the studio door.. All within there, however, was brightness ; tine gases and candles lit ; the fire burning briskly ; the piano- open ; plenty of music scattered everywhere. The great baiitone'Set to work at once ; ho was frank .enough ; he sang them. ""O/dw r mem holder ' Abendster.n " from " Tatsnhauser" — a young lady in spectacles accompanying him ; and then he-Mmself 3ab down ai(s ishe piano and ,&ang— " Fftrn in die Welb, Weif, \Ycit yon dir, Strahletdein Bild Tief , Lief in. ruir." One would scarcely hatve expected a man who had been so boisterous and uproarious at supper to sing. with sg>' much feeling; but tha quality of his- art was- very tine indeed ; more than one- young woman there was-rather lumpy abouiJ the throat when he finished. Then, after he had sung one or 'two more things, and bade such as he knew good-ni»ht, and lit. a- big cigar, and gone away,, the young foLks began, on their own account ; aud as there-happened to bo lying open a volume ofi old-fashioned glees and madrigals and duets,, they were soon in the mid&t of these. It was a careless, happygoilucky series of performances ; when they broke down, they turned over the , page to the next one ; sometimes a newcomer, would stroll along and give them a helping hand. But the yo-nng lady in ajjieotucles knew Ijoi; buf-iucss, at all events ; and so in one was or another they got along with laughter aiiid jests tluown in. Now it was "Foresters^ Sound the Cheerful Horn," or "The Chough and Crow to Roost Are Gone," or " Hnuk, the Bonny Christ Church Bell&," or "Here's a Health to all Good I Lasses," and again it was- " Chloe Found Amyutas Lyimg," or '' Sigh no.mcire, ladies; ladies, sigh no more, M.en. wero d^eeivors ever." All fins whilo Walter lindsa}' was seated on a sofa wibh Sabina as. liis sole companion. On coming into the studio he had perforce paid a little attention to. his other guests ; but once he had got thesi fairly started on this occupation, he had gone back to her — how coudd he help it 1 And Sabina sat and listened, her hands fald'cd, her eyes pleased ; and she had the vox of one looking on, rather than of one pia ticipating ; but .sureh it was no unkindly regard. " How pretty that is 1" she said, rather wistZtilly, on one occasion. Tn-e tall young A&sociate was at the piaao aud it \v»b hib ncighbooi at supper wJ»o had now taken the place of the spectacled young lady ; and he was bonding over the accompanist, so that their heads were very near together — his a fair chesnut brown, hers raven black. And they wero

was sure she had had no supper at all. A little more wine, then ? for fehe seemed to like the purfume of that golden-clear vino di Capri. He was so sorry she had had no supper. It was a shame that she had come bo hip house merely to be starved ; perhaps she would never come again, after such treatment? Some fruit, then, just to show that she had not been quite neglocted ? Not a slice of pine-apple, nor half a dozen grapes, even ? Some strawberries, then ? "Grapes and strawberries in tho middle of March ?" she said, with a smile. " Really, it is perfectly wicked." And then there was on his lips some wild reference to Sir Federgo's envied happiness in the destruction of his falcon ; but fortunately he did not go so far ; he contented himself with engrossing her attention so that she could not see any of tho conjuring, and he would have her tell him more of her experiences among the mudlarks down Lambeth way. Were they all so cynical ? And not so grateful to her as they might be ? Was she not afraid of having her pocket picked? And that one of them who was her champion and chief confidant —could lie be found now, by a stranger?— Would he like to have a good, substantial, midday dinner given him, and thereafter a boat that ho might sail on the ponds in Battersea Park, supposing that such an amusement were permitted ? Well, Sabina had a generous faculty of being pleased with whomsoever was talking to her for the moment ; and he was her host, moreover ; and all the others were occupied with their own affairs ; so she had leisure to tell him about these and other things. And ever the glamour of her clear soft hazol oyes was working him further and further woe. Her rounded white arms were near him ; the dimple in her cheek showed when she laughed ; her beautiful brown hair was still more beautiful in the softened light. But these things were as nothing. It was her eyes ho bought ; and these wero so friendly, and pleased, and benignant, that who would have accused them of working him woe? Nor did he care. He drank the sweet madness, the fell poison, without stint, and recklessly and joyously ; this night was to be at least one happy night in his life ; he had Sabie all to himself — and he was drinking in her pleased glances and her smiles as if they were strong wine : the years to come, whatever there might be in them, could never deprive him of that gold-and-rose-tinted memory. At length the conjuring camo to an ond ' a-»d it was Herr Borella himself who sug"

singing:— with a ageless bass thrown in Ifoy a gentleman standing opposite the fire :—: — " Yes, it is a prett-y air," "Walter Lindsay said. "Ah, bull did Kot-'mean thaft I ,"' Sabioa said, in her low voio-a/i. " It' is Us» J picttwe tint looks so pretty --the 'two 1 youag^people together— and singiat^ri — '-' And why, asked 'Lindsay- of- himself, should she look am'- speak so vwafcf (.illy ? Was she not her^lr young aisd. more beautiful than any ?.' - Was she tv> be for ever a spectator ? IX-ishc regard bareelf as ono cut off from the '•amuoemenl>8 > ..t}l:o'associations, the hopcs'or > young people?. And where was the need of any such saesifico ? "Tell me shophe7ds, have you sesaa My Flora passvtluqs v/ay." " Tell me," Avarblod- the young- 1 X&£y< a>fc the piano — " Tell me,'" roared 'the b:»so at the tire place — " ShcjJiflrds have i/ozi seen;" struck in the young £#sociate, .who- had a very fair tenor voice ; but Lindsay did nob heed them ; he was th* Rising of Sa-bina^ and of her way of life and.efi her future. And if he was bold enough, to consider hov^easy it would be for her 13.1 3. give him ona- ©f bhoso for-get-me-nots ? "'•'Yell, if that wild fancy eiosscd his mhid, it was- but tor a moment. lie was far a^ray from that; and hc.kny.y. it. But why should he fret? Sabinc-iraa here., and by his> side ; and she was.. Inland and smiling' and kind ; and ever he ckank fresh draught of bewildering gladnes3-nnd madness- hczn. the shining beauty of he^r eyes. By this time the bl&ekshaired maiden at the piano had had cno.i^b ■ ofii duets- and glees.. " Go and get up a dance," she paid, in laer imperative way, to hen companion ;, and as the young pain Lei iduUfaJLy oboyesl she began to play the &low<e,nd. gracious rausic oi a minuet. However, it was -no mijmefc that was in the young, lady's mind. She only wished in that, way to introduce- the idea of dancing. As. poon as tho sa&els and chairs, and couches, had been removed, and the young men , vsavr choosing, their ])artners, she stattod off with "Sin Rogt,r ,de Coveiley," and tbnfc a.fj aralf ling; pace. " \\ ill you join theia-2" Walter Lkucl?ay said to his companion. " I think 1 Avould rathce-iook on,, 1 ' Sabina answered. " Then give mo 'he dorado, ;vud. v«ta v ill sit it out together," said lr>. She nodded and smiled.- that \\?.3 snore to her liking. " Will you rrb'o methem all on th^ same terms V" said ho, qujcklj ,-,. "I don't wish to dance." But she did not aihwr this ; sli3 %as- looking on inteicst c.t fch'3 formation, of the two long lilies. And so Lindsay -and, this- fall enchantress wore left together again, and as the wild rom,p i iv the of the iloor went on, he, vsvis t-clJjng her all about his work and his plans for the summer (in an-^w J o hor questions, of course), and he 'ish to her the secret sylvan luuuits. he kocv, and the lemolc little innshQf-t'iysd 'i.t, and '.-o forth ; and as all this naturally led yp to his drawings and sketches, ha took hey away into a corner to show hei.a big portfolio of these, and meanwhile ho was forming a dailc design in his. brain. v Vhci\ the " Sir Roger de Coverley " endoJ, he t a ithdrew from her side for a momiF«fc. "Percy," ho saVl to the tall young painter, " gel, iyp a.co(,Llloa." "Don't knovwhov." " Oh, yes yoa do^ u was the hurried rejoinder. "Anybody will show you. Do, like a good fel!ov,'— and look sharp ! ' And then ha was back at her side again. Now in the coxuer where the portfolio -v\a% there stood i\ tj.^silar Chippendale cabinet, filled with various kinds ot bn'r n brae ; and amongst thcs«— and the gem of the collection— w as a saiftll chalice of rock-crystal, elaborately studded lound with uncut stones of diverse colours. In itself it Avas a rnobt boau'jifol thing ; besides which it \u\s ob\iouiJy of peat age and value. Sabina A\as looking in at those shelves with a worn in's cvi 'O^ity. " Do you know v, hat that dance is?" he a«kcd of her. She planted over her shoulder carelc-sly. "No"" "It id a* cotillon," said he, rather breathlessly. "And jou gave it to me, you know." " Did 1V 1 said she, with something of an amused look ; Avhat could it matter Avhethou ?hc had made this useless promise or not ? "Oh, yes, you did," he said, eagerly. "We ay© in it, if we choose. And do you know A\hat the peculiaiity of this dance is? —that you are allowed to make your partner a Little present. Oh, I a-sure you it, is so — and— and this is w hat I want you to accept from me." Ho opened the cabinet, and took out the jewel-bestudded wine-cup. Sabina rather shiank back. "■Oh, no, oh, no," she said. -'You are very kind— but— but I have no place to keep such things— besides, I could not take it — Mr Lindsay, please be kind enough not to ask me." Her eyes wero earnest; and they could make him do anything. But he was unsatisfied, and anxious, and a little bit leckless, perhaps. "Then if you will noc take, Avill you, give?" he made bold to say,, but under his. breath. " Miss Janie says 'ihat is more in. your way. And if I at.k a favour of you ?» You will take this little cup : Avell, youcould make it thirty times more valuable) to me if you avouM drink something out of it. Will you ?" She looked surpnf-ed N but not offended ;. he did not quite understand. " Why, Avhat diflewice will that; wake?'* she said. But befor.o she had finifched the words he had gon& aAvay. over to, a little buffet that Mrs Ytfygram was ii»prp vising; for the dancers, cwad the next tjiQment ho had returned avi^i a bottle of xmo in hishand. He pousjed a little of the foamingfluid into the dialice, and offered it tjo her. " Is it a ceremony ?" Sabina asked,. Ayith a smile, and she took the choice from, hisa. " Y r es, it is part of Jshe dance," he ansAvercd, g(ad of any excuse that wonld obtain for this gracic«s favour. "Do I say anything* Do 1 Avisfo anything ?" Sabina asked. "1 ax*H do tho Avis Sing," he answered quickly ; and then she raised th© wino cup to hci lips, and dran\ta little and then gave it back to him. Hi> could only look his thanks. Mrs Wygram's eyes had foHoAved him across the room^ " And Avhat do you think ofyourSabie now?" she exclaimed co hor daughter, Avho Avas assisting her. "Just tho same as ever — Avhy?" was Janic's answer. '• You did not soe what she did jusfe noAV ?" "No." " Well, then, I'll toll you ; she drank out of that crystal Avine cup, just to please him, I suppose, and ho put it back in tho cabinet !*' "And why shouldn't she?" said Janie, bravoly. "To please him ?? — Aery wellShe Avould do that or anything else to please any man, woman or child Avho happened to be there. Mother, what has set you all of a sudden against Sabie ? You know it's just her universal kindness." "Kindness !" said the mother, with a 'gentle sarcasm. "Perhaps it is. Bub I

have never seen a moro abominable piece of flirtation in all my born days." And with that she went to bid the naodel-butlcr bring some moro lemonade and seltzer water ; for the young lady at the piano had begun to play a wild Highland sekottische, and Mrs Wygram had enough experience of these swat-uh parties to know what ihs.l meant. They kept up th<? niorry-makmg to a very early hour indeed ; but after Sabina and the Wygrams had taken their departure, Lindsay did not fceem to heed much what was going forward. And at lost he .was left alone — in this big studio - with the 'diyeda membra of the revels all around him ; and he sate- him down to thiuk over everything that had happened during 1 that eventful evening, even to the smallest details .wherever Sabina had been concerned. And so Ser Federigo had not sacrificed his falcon, after all --though his offer of the jewelled clialice was & little tentative. effort in that direction. No ; so far from his being' poorer by her comiuj; to his house he was ever so much the richer ; that was ,ljjko Sabina, as the faithful Janio would havo maintained. The whole o£ this big studio seemed saturated with the chaim end wonder of hor presence. Here she had pate, her hands folded in her lap, talk ing to him in her softly-modulated voice,: there she had stood, her beautiful neck ' bent over the drawings aud sketches, ' her praise aud admiration frank ; and ready enough; it was by the side of | that easel she had taken the wine-cup — ' i now a hundred times more precious to him ' .'ban it had boen before— into her gentle . -hand, and raised it, and touched Lhe i*im *vith her proudly-cut lip^, and given it him %r.ck with so gracious a smile. He was ' beginning u> undei stand her now. If you said "Take!"' her answer was " K"g ;" if yor said "Give!" her answer was "Yes." Biv all through these visions and recalling of .\isions it was her eyes that chiefly he saw and they were regarding him somehowj and always they were pleased, and genevcus, and benignant towards him. He made -T-o effort to banish the memory of that hi,*.