CHAPTER III.

"Upon her eyelids many graces sat
Under the shadow of her even brows."
Faerie Queene.

It was a March evening, wild and wet, and the warm glow of the drawing-room at Fainton Cottage looked very comfortable, as the combined light of fire and lamp shone mellowly on the dim, rich colouring of the room; on the five o'clock tea things, which had done their work for this afternoon; on Mr. Goring, who was seated at ease in his arm-chair; on Evelyn, who was near him, and on another girl sitting on the low marble fender, her face turned to the fire.

Evelyn had some work in her hand, but it did not seem to advance very quickly.

"I don't know," said Mr. Goring; "things are changing very rapidly, you say, Miss Anley. You are bored by politics, but if —— ”

Evelyn started, her work fell from her hand. There was a figure at the doorway, unseen for nearly three years," she couldna think 'twas he," and for a moment stared in a bewildered way, while her father sprang from his chair.

"Roland!"

It was a very decided reality, and Evelyn knew it to be so, as she heard Roland's laugh and felt his hand grasp.

"My dear boy, when did you come? I thought you weren't due for another fortnight," said Mr. Goring.

"No, but I changed my mind and

started earlier. I suppose I shall take them rather by surprise at Colethorpe."

"I'm very glad to see you again, old fellow, at all events. When did you

arrive?"

"Only this morning. I go down home to-morrow. I was awfully afraid I mightn't find you at home, but I couldn't resist looking you up the first thing."

"Well done! Did you have a rough crossing?"

"Pretty well," Roland answered, looking at Evelyn and the young lady who had been seated by the fire, but who had now risen and laid her hand on Evelyn's arm, saying in a low tone

"I must go now; I promised mother I would be back to dinner. Good-bye, Mr. Goring."

She held out a long white hand to him as she spoke, then with a slight, pretty

bend of the head she left the room, followed by Evelyn, before Roland had received much more than the impression of a tall and very graceful figure, in dark brown velvet, and a well-poised head crowned with bright hair.

"Must you go?" said Evelyn to this young lady in the hall.

"I really must; I oughtn't to have stayed so long, but I couldn't make up my mind to go, as I shan't see you again for some time. We leave town on Tuesday, and shall not come back before May. It is very horrible, for you don't know how dull it is down in Kent."

"I wish I could change places with you just now, when the spring woods are beginning to bud.”

"Yes," said Gertrude Anley. "Of course I like them; but supposing it rains the whole time, as is sure to be the case.”

"Don't indulge in such gloomy forebodings," said Evelyn. "Good-bye." "Good-bye, dear. So that is your friend Mr. Trench has he changed much?” "I don't know," said Evelyn, dreamily. Miss Anley laughed, a clear bell-like laugh it was, sounding prettily on the night air, as she stepped out of the house and hailed a passing hansom. Roland and Mr. Goring heard the laugh through the half-open drawing-room door.

"Evelyn is some time saying good-bye to her friend," observed Mr. Goring. "A very handsome girl, isn't she? I don't mean Eve, but Miss Anley.”

"I hardly saw her," said Roland. "Here is Evelyn," as Miss Goring re-entered the room. "I have hardly seen you yet," he said, taking hold of both her hands and looking at her.

She laughed a little nervously. The