As they stood hand in hand, admiring some goldfish in a small aquarium in the centre of the greenhouse, Gertrude exclaimed: 

“The place is as fascinating as its master!  Do tell me something about him; I wonder very often why you never mention him.  I know I ought not to say it; but really, after he has talked to me for a few minutes, I forget every thing else, and think only of what he says for days and days after.”

“You certainly do not allude to Mr. Murray?” said Edna.

“I certainly do.  What makes you look so astonished?”

“I was not aware that you knew him.”

“Oh!  I have known him since the week after our arrival here.  Mamma and I met him at Mrs. Inge’s.  Mr. Inge had some gentlemen to dinner, and they came into the parlor while we were calling.  Mr. Murray sat down and talked to me then for some time, and I have frequently met him since; for it seems he loves to stroll about the woods almost as well as I do, and sometimes we walk together.  You know he and my uncle are not friendly, and I believe mamma does not like him, so he never comes to the parsonage; and never seems to see me if I am with her or Uncle Allan.  But is he not very fascinating?  If he were not a little too old for me, I believe I should really be very much in love with him.”

An expression of disgust passed swiftly over Edna’s pale face; she dropped her companion’s hand, and asked coldly: 

“Does your mother approve of your walks with Mr. Murray?”

“For heaven’s sake, don’t look so solemn!  I—­she—­really I don’t know!  I never told her a word about it.  Once I mentioned having met him, and showed her some flowers he gave me; and she took very little notice of the matter.  Several times since he has sent me bouquets, and though I kept them out of uncle’s sight, she saw them in my room, and must have suspected where they came from.  Of course he can not come to the parsonage to see me when he does not speak to my uncle or to mamma; but I do not see any harm in his walking and talking with me, when I happen to meet him.  Oh! how lovely those lilies are, leaning over the edge of the aquarium!  Mr. Murray said that some day he would show me all the beautiful things at Le Bocage; but he has forgotten his promise, I am afraid and I—­”

“Ah!  Miss Gertrude, how could you doubt me?  I am here to fulfill my promise.”

He pushed aside the boughs of a guava which stood between them, and, coming forward, took Gertrude’s hand, drew it under his arm, and looked down eagerly, admiringly, into her blushing face.

“Oh, Mr. Murray!  I had no idea you were anywhere near me.  I am sure I could—­”

“Did you imagine you could escape my eyes, which are always seeking you?  Permit me to be your cicerone over Le Bocage, instead of Miss Edna here, who looks as if she had been scolding you.  Perhaps she will be so good as to wait for us, and I will bring you back in a half-hour at least.”