She  nobly  resolved  to  do  her  utmost  to  unbind  the  po-
tent spell  of  repulsion  which  kept  them  asunder,  and,  if
possible,  to  bring  them  into  a  sphere  of  mutual  attrac-
tion. To  break  up  the  formality  which  prevailed  in  all
their  intercourse,  was  her  first  endeavor.  And  by  her
skilful  and  determined  efforts,  she  soon  kindled  some-
thing like  a  smile  upon  both  those  grave  faces.  Her
presence  was  like  a  ray  of  day-light,  which  has  suddenly
penetrated  some  dark  cell,  greatly  to  the  surprise  of  its
gloomy  inmates.
One  evening,  Lenora  put  her  arm  round  Marion,  and
led  her  down  from  the  veranda  into  the  broad  garden
path,  where  they  slowly  walked  back  and  forth.  Glanc-
ing towards  the  window,  and  observing  Mr.  Sunderland
wistfully  watching  them,  she  beckoned  to  him.  He
joined  them  at  once,  his  delicacy  leading  him  to  Le-
nora's side.  Strolling  towards  the  lower  end  of  the
garden,  she  proposed  that  they  should  sit  for  a  while
in  the  arbor.
"  I  am  ashamed  of  you  both  for  neglecting  this
lovely  spot,"  exclaimed  she,  rattling  away  with  seeming
thoughtlessness.  "  Only  see  how  these  luxuriant  vines
want  pruning  and  training!"  And  asking  Mr.  Sunder-


430  MARION   GfcAHAM;

land  for  his  knife,  she  began  to  cut  away  the  decayed
branches  with  great  vigor.
