After All.

over , tore part of it , so that I had some difficulty in making it out . Does not such a misfortune seem ominous ? How did you give it to Carlo ? Yon must have been passing at the time , for he had only just gone out ? and then what a funny idea of yours , for anyone might have got the missive . This seems to me to be a vei-y familiar letter for my first to yon , but I hope yon will not bo displeased with it . I hardly like the idea of your- sending me a letter by a dog without anyone knowing . Yon must not be vexed at my saying this , for I know you did it with the best intentions , and it must have been on the spur of the moment . It

is certainly very flattering to me , and I am pleased at what you tell me . I am glad to know there is someone who will think of and care for me . I certainly Ipve the truth at all times , but do you not think you overrate my poor character , and how can you so suddenly become so very fond of me ? Can yon be certain so soon , upon so short an acquaintance , that yon really like me , and that yon will continue to do so ? I am afraid it is too sudden , and I wish you would consider it over for a little while before you write to me again . Thank you very much for your good opinion of me . The other night was , indeed , a very pleasant and happy one , but I think it would be bettor for us both to forget it . I have , indeed , thought of

you several times since , and I think we shall bo good friends . But you must not write to me again for a fortnight , please , and then send it through the post , and now believe me to be , yours affectionately , " OLIVIA PHANE . "P . S . — -Be sure you don't write sooner than in a fortnight . " . Humberton was overjoyed at receiving this letter , though it conveyed so little to him , yet he built castles out of it , and found in it much consolation . The worst part was where it told him not to write for a fortni ght . How coulcl he keep his thoughts silent for that period ?

CHAPTER IV . The discords dear to the musician . —Tennyson . " I DON ' like that last strain at all ; it ' s too heavily constructed for the subject ; just make it a little li ghter ancl then the whole thing will do very well , " said Mr . Cribton to Arthur Humberton , who sat at his piano trying over one of his last compositions . The former sat in a rickety old easy chair in a corner ,

carefully contemplating the merits and demerits of Humberton ' s new piece . He meditatively pulled his long whiskers , with his head a little on one side . He had a little bald patch on the top of his head , which looked like the summit of a snow-capped mountain peeping out of a shaggy crop of sandy-coloured heather . Perhaps the most conspicuous feature he possessed , however , next to his one g laring eye , was along and highly-coloured nose , which seemed to take an important part in his meditations , as he slightly elevated it , and refreshed

himself with a few vigorous snorts . There he sat dangling one leg across the other , keeping time to the music , ancl nodding approval with his head at intervals . Still to Arthur Humberton , despite the pleasant looks his patron would assume , that awful eye of his seemed to cast a bane over his face , with its wicked g litter . There was no doubt , however , that Cribton was highly delighted at the last

composition of his talented musical protege or pupil ; and several times during Humberton ' s clever manipulation of the rapid chords of the piece he clapped his hands softly in commendation , ancl at the conclusion , notwithstanding he had condemned its heavy construction , he jumped up excitedl y and patted his pupil on the back . Humberton was elated at his success before one so critical ; but Cribton seemed to think that he had shown too much warmth and enthusiasm in praising the piece , so he forthwith cautiously proceeded to qualif

y his pantomimic opinion . " It ' s a very creditable piece of work , it is indeed , if it wasn ' t for that bad construction at the end of it ; you must alter that . Ton know , it ' s rather a good fault , for you generall y are given to making your solemn passages too light and flimsy . When I was a sergeant in the army , and that ' s a good long