"It is indeed time we thought about it," answered Agnes, laughing. "As to Lady Valmar, however, set your mind at rest: She will not disturb you to-night; nor for several days as yet, I daresaypossibly weeks. The longer she does leave you undisturbed, the better; I am inclined to think," she added, smothering another laugh.

"Why, don't you like her, though you are living in her house? What is she like ?"

"Oh! I shall leave you to judge of that for yourself, when you know her. In the mean time, I am quite at home here; and for the present you have only to forget her existence, and consider yourself as my visitor, till she appears here in propriá persona."

"Well, but how did you become acquainted with her on such intimate terms? You have told me nothing of all this."

"Oh! that is too long a story for me to tell, this month to come at least. I have other things to say and hear, that interest me more now."

"But is she really as wealthy as they say, and as much courted, and all that ?"

"She is as rich as Croesus; and you will see, in time, all the most distinguished persons in London at her house:

But I can gossip no more; for you

must really stay here no longer just at present, or the household will imagine storm. Go

you are going to take us by storm.

now, therefore; but come back to dinner

with me and then you shall tell me everything you have done, since we parted. I know nothing about it yet, you know."

One smile, and one parting kiss, and the same roof no longer covered them: but their hearts were not divided, and love and joy kept them company.

CHAPTER VIII.

OTHER happy meetings followed — so happy, that Agnes could not make up her mind to break in on their even course, by communicating to Walter her little secret. The longer it was preserved, the more and more unwilling she grew to interrupt the perfect satisfaction they were both enjoying, by thoughts of worldly matters, or conversations on any subjects foreign to the affection that filled their hearts. For a few weeks, each morning and evening

found them together; and every time they met and parted, they found the love which bound them taking deeper and deeper root.

One afternoon, as Walter was leaving Agnes-to return, as he thought, as usual, in a couple of hours-she told him,' she could not see him again till the morrow; she was forced to dine out.' This was indeed a trivial incident. It was unavoidable that such should occasionally,-frequently-happen, circumstanced as she was: but he was distressed at it nevertheless. It was not the disappointment merely it seemed, as it were, a separation of thoughts, of interests; and he felt sad.

As Agnes afterwards entered her carriage in full dress; a figure, which seemed to have been watching at the corner of a neighbouring street, moved hastily towards