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86 father's room drawn down, misgivings crept through his mind; he entered the house and walked quietly up stairs to his own room, the door of which he found partly open, and which joined that of his father's.

Entering cautiously for fear of disturbing his father, a sight met his gaze which compelled him to halt at the entrance. Before the mirror stood a lady arranging her hair. Standing spell-bound with the handle of the door in his hand, he wondered who it could be that had taken the liberty of using his room; the object of his contemplation stood still for an instant, then turned suddenly round with a half scream, and Bella McKay and Charlie stood face to face.

Notwithstanding the changes which two years had made on them, the recognition was instantaneous on both sides, and the names "Charlie" and "Bella" escaped unconsciously from their lips at the same moment. A visible change had taken place in both, but it was an undeniable improvement. Bella had now become a tall, handsomely-formed lady; her hair had taken a darker shade, and a stateliness was perceptible in all her movements, which struck the young Advocate with wonder and admiration.

Charlie's looks and manners made a no less favourable impression on Bella; his former fresh colour had given place to a slight paleness, his fine high forehead was stamped by the effects of hard study; this, with a slight beard, which encircled his chin, gave him a more manly appearance.

He was somewhat altered in form and stature, and was dressed in black, which added to his appearance.

After looking at each other for a short time in silence and confusion, they both adjourned to the sitting-room, each taking a seat at separate windows. An unpleasant pause now took place, Charlie finding himself in the company of his former love, but now, he thought Lady Lundy; and Bella in the presence of her former love, but now, as she believed, her cousin's husband.

Bella was the first to break the silence, by asking whether he was accompanied by Mrs. Stuart, her face being turned towards the lawn while she spoke, and