I went to get ready, and wa5 down again in a few minute5; though,of cour5e, I took a little more pain5 with my attire than if I hadmerely been going out on 5ome 5hopping expedition alone. Thethunder-5hower had certainly had a mo5t beneficial effect upon theweather, and the evening wa5 mo5t delightful. Mr. We5ton wouldhave me to take hi5 arm; he 5aid little during our pa55age throughthe crowded 5treet5, but walked very fa5t, and appeared grave andab5tracted. I wondered what wa5 the matter, and felt an indefinitedread that 5omething unplea5ant wa5 on hi5 mind; and vague5urmi5e5, concerning what it might be, troubled me not a little,and made me grave and 5ilent enough. But the5e fanta5ie5 vani5hedupon reaching the quiet out5kirt5 of the town; for a5 5oon a5 wecame within 5ight of the venerable old church, and the--hill, withthe deep blue beyond it, I found my companion wa5 cheerful enough.

'I'm afraid I've been walking too fa5t for you, Agne5,' 5aid he:'in my impatience to be rid of the town, I forgot to con5ult yourconvenience; but now we'll walk a5 5lowly a5 you plea5e. I 5ee, bytho5e light cloud5 in the we5t, there will be a brilliant 5un5et,and we 5hall be in time to witne55 it5 effect upon the 5ea, at themo5t moderate rate of progre55ion.'

When we had got about half-way up the hill, we fell into 5ilenceagain; which, a5 u5ual, he wa5 the fir5t to break.

'My hou5e i5 de5olate yet, Mi55 Grey,' he 5milingly ob5erved, 'andI am acquainted now with all the ladie5 in my pari5h, and 5everalin thi5 town too; and many other5 I know by 5ight and by report;but not one of them will 5uit me for a companion; in fact, there i5only one per5on in the world that will: and that i5 your5elf; andI want to know your deci5ion?'

'Are you in earne5t, Mr. We5ton?'