THE announcement made by Mrs. Barnett to Miss Amherst of the unexpected arrival of the Conways had so completely overwhelmed her with a flood of conflicting sensations, that she did not hear the bell of the outer door rung by an impatient hand, or observe that the housekeeper had left the room to answer its summons, and while she yet stood gazing fondly on the snow-white flower that said so much to her, she suddenly felt two clinging arms thrown round her in a close embrace, while Philippa's high-pitched voice exclaimed,

"You darling! we have got you at last! Since you would not come to us, we have come to you,-a new and improved edition of Mahomet and the mountain !" and even as she was still held imprisoned in her friend's strong grasp, Frances was conscious that one of her hands was locked fast in those of Lancelot Conway.

Smiling, blushing, and yet trembling in spite of herself, and quite unable to speak, her agitation was so manifest, that Philippa and her brother noted it eagerly, and exchanged a significant glance, which might have been a revelation to her had she not been too much preoccupied to observe it. She was very thankful, however, when her father came in, and by his surprise and pleasure at seeing the visitors, provided her with a little time to regain her composure.

"Yes," exclaimed Philippa, "it is really our very selves, Mr. Am

herst, we have come all this long way only to see your Francie, whereby you may perceive what a magnet she is! and we have leave of absence for one whole week, which we intend to utilise to the last moment, so you will have to submit to our society for that length of time."

"And for a great deal longer if you will only stay," said Mr. Amherst warmly, and then while he turned to speak to Lancelot, Philippa drew Frances aside and explained to her that they had been led to come thus quickly and unexpectedly by the fact that their mother's health was failing very seriously, and that if they had not come then, they could not have left home probably for many months.

"It is the beginning of the end: we know that she cannot recover," said Philippa, with quivering lips, "and I would not have left her even during this little week for any one in the world but you, my Francie. These few days shall be given to you wholly and absolutely, and then go back to leave her no more till she leaves me for ever." “Oh, dearest Philippa, how terrible for you to know that lose her!"

I

you must

"Yes, and to know also all that must follow that loss! but I shall have you, Francie," she added, once more throwing her arms round her as if to take entire possession of her. "You have not said that you will be my friend, but you must. You will be that and far more. You shall not fail me, you cannot !"

"Not in affection, Philippa. I am your friend indeed, in truest love, but-"

"Make no reservations," interrupted Philippa. "I know what you would say, but I tell you that you shall be mine fully and perfectly,in sympathy of feelings and opinions as well as in affection and trust, -you will not be able to help it," she added, fixing her bright imperious eyes on Frances with a triumphant smile.

"No, Philippa, never! Never will I resign my faith though I have to lose you for it."

"You will resign it and you will not lose me," said Philippa, nodding her head with an air of imperturbable certainty; "but all in good time, there is no occasion to think or to speak about it at present. Listen, Francie," she added earnestly, we have one week given us in which to enjoy each other's society. I dragged the permission for it out of my father with the utmost possible difficulty, and when it is over, while there will be, I hope, for you only brightening sunshine,

my

it is certain that I go back to black days, whose gloom will deepen into the hopeless darkness of my mother's grave, and after that will come for me storms, and strife, and the anguish of final exile from childhood's home. Let us then enjoy these golden hours while we have them without a thought or word to mar their sweetness. Lance and I came here to be made happy by intercourse with you, let us have that happiness freely and generously as you alone can give it."

And Frances could only fling her arms round her friend's neck and tell her that she would give herself up to enjoyment for that one week as heartily as Philippa herself, for she felt that she might take the unexpected pleasure of their presence with a quiet conscience. By no will of hers that joy had come to her, and she believed when it had shed its fleeting sunshine on her life it would never return again. She would make it plain to Philippa in the future that all intercourse must cease between them, but for this little time of respite no dangerous subjects would even be touched, and as a mere matter of kindness to the Conways, she was bound to make it bright and pleasant for them in every way that she could.

How easy and happy a duty she found it! The days that followed were glorified with a light that never had shone upon her life before, and never, never would brighten it again. She seemed to be dwelling in an enchanted land where each moment as it fled appeared to be the dearest and sweetest she had ever known, till the next brought with it some yet more exquisite pleasure in the society of him who, still unconsciously to herself, had won all the deep love of which her tender impassioned nature was capable. She was never alone with Lancelot or indeed with Philippa, and it was perhaps this fact which enabled her to abandon herself with such perfect freedom and fearlessness to what was for her in truth the rapture of their presence.

Mrs. Amherst, who had always delighted in the most generous hospitality when she had a house of her own, was much troubled that Thorold's abode was too small to admit of the Conways' actually sleeping there, but she insisted on their coming to breakfast and making it their home for the whole day, and both she and Mr. Amherst as well as Frances did their utmost to amuse and please their welcome visitors. Excursions were organised for each day, as there were many attractive spots in the surrounding country, besides various objects of interest in the town itself.

room, where he sat in silence Frances was conscious meanLancelot hung on her every

Mr. Amherst was always with the Conways and his daughter in these expeditions, for his keen pleasure in beautiful scenery and all artistic enjoyments was as great in his vigorous old age as it had been in his long past youth, and his wife also accompanied them when the distance was not too great for her strength. Thus to Francie's great satisfaction there was no opportunity for private conversation among any of the party during the day time, and the evenings were all devoted to music by the general wish. Philippa declared that the charm of Francie's lovely voice had subjugated even the Scandinavian god, by which name she designated Thorold, whom his uncle often called Thor, and it was true that no sooner did the echo of the sweet sounds reach him in his study, than he might be seen stealing in quietly and taking his place in a dark corner of the listening till the last tone died away. while of the rapt delight with which accent, but she attributed it to his intense love of music, for incredible as it may seem, she had not in the slightest degree realised that it was his earnest desire to win her if possible to be his wife. It was indeed with this purpose alone that he and his sister had taken their journey to see her. No lesser motive would have induced either of them to leave their mother at that time, nor would Mr. Conway have allowed it had he not known and approved of Lancelot's object. He wished his son to marry and settle down on his own small estate, as there was no longer any necessity for his remaining in the army, and the account given to him of Frances, both by the young man and his sister, satisfied him that she would be a very desirable daughter-inlaw, while gentle Mrs. Conway, who knew well that she was dying, ardently desired the marriage for the sake of both her children. She was quite as anxious that Philippa should have a faithful friend in Frances as that Lancelot should find in her the dear companion of his life. Thus the whole matter was openly discussed at Toralton, and Philippa inspired them all with her own undoubted confidence that Lancelot would certainly be successful. Her keen penetration had detected Francie's feelings for her brother, while the girl herself was still in ignorance of them, and she little dreamt that she herself was the one fatal obstacle to the accomplishment of that which she so much desired.

Still poor Francie,-living for these few days in a dream-like bliss, -had not the faintest suspicion of the purpose which had brought