He is tue best tempered dog iu the world, and 1 am sure lie is as sorry lor your little uj.-set as 1 am." " lhauk you, no," i stammered in reply, " I am not at all hurt, nor frightened, it was the suddenness of the attack only that knock ed me down," aud 1 nude a movement to assist her over the stile. With a gente wave of her hand she dis pensed witu my services, aud bowiug grace lully she went on her way. My life had hitherto been much the same as oUier young men in my position. 1 had flirted anu played the tool aa libitum, but so long as i was dependent upon my uncle, 1 jeli X was in no position to dream 01 love and matrimony, iherelore, when i found my thoughts straying oftener than usual towards one particular» i resolutely cloced my eyes ana neart against the temptation, iu con* •equcuoe I had reached the age of three aud twenty and had never beeu in love. I had begun to think myself unassailable, and up to this morcing had felt a pride in mj itoioiMD 1 but Um unexpected meeting

with the fair unknown had effectually unde ceived me, and I knew and felt I was very mortal indeed. With distracted thought# I wandered home wards, and was fortunate enough to meet my uncle on the road in one of his melting moods. Too full of my adventure to be silent, and probably with some extravagant comments, I told him all the particulars of my little ad venture. Taking my arm ; with an audible chuckle, he began an elaborate explanation of some improvements ho intended making in a mow ing machine, the details of which lasted till we reached a paddock at the back of the rec tory, where we found Mr Medway, the rector, busily superintending some arrangements for the shelter of a lot of little pigs. My uncle introduced me to this gentleman, and after a few minutes' conversation we walked together to the house. As we entered the room, coming as we did out of the sun, the place appeared to be in a state of semi darkness, and until my eyes became accus tomed to the change, I was unaware it had any other occupant. 