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 ground. Though the thermometer had spent the night burrowing down well below zero, it had arrived at less inhuman regions early in the morning, and now, at noon, the sun was so strong, that I was not surprised to see Mrs. Ellerton, well wrapped up, sitting in a steamer chair on her south piazza. It looked very pleasant there, and thinking that the tennis would be about over, I took the opportunity to make my party call.

"This is very good of you, Mr. Dickson," said the lady, coming forward, with a pleasant air of welcome, which reminded me of her niece. There is a strong family resemblance, in spite of their unlikeness.

"Lilian has not come in from riding, and I am quite too lazy to do anything but sit in the sun and be glad of pleasant company."

"Thanks," I said, taking a chair. "How surprisingly warm the sun is."

I should not report such very commonplace observations, only I fancy they