ELSIE never forgot that long drive from the Priory Ruins. It marked an epooh in her life. How strange it seemed that she could ever have laughed at Sam's supposed devotion to herself — his tender glances and gallant speeches ! True feeling compels respect, if not sympathy; and when Sam told her that the happiness or misery of his life depended upon her answer, she did not doubt his sincerity. Nay, more ! he had told her that she had it in her power to make him a good man. Was it possible that she — Elsie Vere— could ever have jested about love ? Love was terrible ! ' This simple little country maiden was no coquette. She .took small delight in the conquest of a heart she did not want. The question to be decided was momentous. It would be dreadfuKo gay '£ No " ; still more dreadful tp say " Yes " ! .Already the promise to think about it weighed i upon her spirits, and she wished^he had found courage to en.d thjj matter at once. Nettie was waiting at the g^te. As.the carriage stopped, she sprang forward to meet them. " I am so glad you have come, Elsie," she cried ; "it has been such a long day, and Betty and I have wanted you so much ! Do come in directly, and send away that bad man who is in the kitchen. -He says he will not go." " A man ! " cried the girls simultaneous ly ; " who is it, Nettie, and why do you call him bad ? " " I don't know who he is," replied the child," and I don't think Betty knows either, but I know he is bad because he has made her cry ; she was very angry when he first came, and then she began to cry." " How very odd," said Mary, anxiously ; " it must be some one come on business. What can it be?" "He is a very horrid man," said Nettie, with a child's pleasure in having news to tell ; "he is smoking in the kitchen, and orders things to eat and drink in such a rude way." " Some fresh trouble, I suppose," sighed Elsie, wearily. 