Edward stopped to speak to the gardener, and Miss Muir went up the stepsalone. The long hall was lined with portraits, and pacing sluggishly down itshe examined them with interest. 0ne caught her eye, and, pausing beforeit, she scrutinized it carefully. A young, beautiful, but very haughtyfemale face. Miss Muir suspected at once who it was, and gave a decidednod, as if she saw and caught at some unexpected chance. A soft rustlebehind her made her look around, and, seeing Lucia, she bowed, halfturned, as if for another glance at the picture, and exclaimed, as ifinvoluntarily, "How beautiful it is! May I ask if it is an ancestor,Miss Beaufort?"

"It is the likeness of my mother" was the reply, given with a softenedvoice and eyes that looked up tenderly.

"Ah, I might have known, from the resemblance, but I scarcely saw youlast night. Excuse my freedom, but Lady Sydney treated me as a friend,and I forget my position. Allow me."

As she spoke, Miss Muir stooped to return the handkerchief which hadfallen from Lucia's hand, and did so with a humble mien which touchedthe other's heart; for, though a proud, it was also a quite generous one.

"Thank you. Are you better, this afternoon?" she exclaimed, graciously. Andhaving received an affirmative reply, she added, as she walked on, "Iwill show you to the breakfast chamber, as Bella is not here. It is a somewhatinformal meal with us, for my aunt is never down and my cousins are somewhatirregular in their hours. You can always have yours when you like,without waiting for us if you are an early riser."