Walter L'Estrange.

And hence for Walter and his sister , the three weeks at Bel Endroit were weeks of unalloyed pleasure . Many were the gay gatherings , the pleasant dances , private theatricals , musical parties , frequent the uproarious carnival , ancl joyous the round games ! The old earl was specially kind to that good-looking high-spirited youth , so full of life ancl animationancl heart ancl intellectand his aunt had almost

, , a motherly affection for the only son of her cherished sister . With the sons he was on the best of terms , and with his fair cousins , and especially with Lady Jane , the eldest daughter , was he in much favour . It is not customary to indulge in the description of ladies now-a-days , but as Lady Jane is a favourite of mine , I venture to give you her hastily sketched portrait . No one could see her without looking at her a second time . Of

exquisite proportions ancl befitting height , she had that stateliness of appearance , that erect and noble carriage which is ever so deeply to be admired . When she walked she seemed as if she was all elastic , and her every movement was full of grace . When she danced , it was as some one said , " she floated" more than she danced . Her clustering hair , her well shaped head , her marked eyebrowsher dark grey eyeswith their long eyelashesthe rose and lily of her

, , , complexion , her arch smile and winning manner were enough to charm susceptible young men out of their senses . Indeed , an acute observer who had noticed that good-looking couple in the cozy chat of intimacy and the ceaseless whirling of the rapturous waltz , and had seen the light in her eyes ancl the radiant smile on her face , might have not unnaturally come to the conclusion that it was just within the bounds of

possibility that Lady Jane might one day be mistress of the Mote . But then , though such seemed to be the surface of things , it was not so in reality . All that was taking place was a matter of course ancl family intimacy . Lady Jane , as became her rank , would one day make a " proper marriage , " and though such a state of things might be dangerous in common families , it was not so in theirs , and the parents had no fear as to any such inconceivable ancl objectionable results , which might seem at first sight not an unnatural carollary of events to those outside " the swim" ; but their daughters had been " better brought nil . "

What Walter 1 'Estrange felt , or what she fancied , I cannot take upon myself to say . Certainly she never danced again in life with such happy fervour and such tender animation as when in the ball-room at Bel Endroit , as when he , poor fellow , entranced with her beauty ancl grace , and kindness and confidence ( she who was the admiration of all ) , under that magic influence ivas supremely happy for the time . Ancl thus it was when the party broke up , as parties will break up . Whatever

reflections Walter or she indulged in no one ever knew . Everything went on in its usual way . He went off to Portsmouth aud " drill " ancl " work , " and at the usual time she went up to London to be the "belle of the season . "

Walter at Portsmouth soon became as he was at Winchester , the head of the athletes . A famous captain , he won for Portsmouth with her garrison eleven more than one match , and few men had such a host of friends , and it is doubtful if he had an enemy . The siveetness of his temper , and the manfnlness of his disposition , rendered him beloved in his regiment by all ranks and all conditions . When Christmas came round again the party reassembled at Bel Endroit

, ancl then for the first time poor Walter saw that a change had come . Not that she was less kind or cheerful , but that he and she were not thrown so much together , and it was clear that for some reason or other the old people , with much kindness and goodwill , had interfered , for fear that by any chance Lady Jane and Walter could be induced to imagine that such an union could ever be thought of or approved in the " family . "