After All;

renounces even facts themselves , and replaces them with impossible theories ? Human nature is not capable of it ; in fact , floes not Shakspeave himself say , ' There never was philosopher yet that could endure the toothache patiently V' " and Arthur having delivered himself of this retaliation , triumphantly waited to see what his good-natured companion would reply to it . A few contemplative puffsand Dr . Chirrup replied in the best possible

, humour : " My dear fellow , do I look cold , cheerless , and unromantic , and am I an impossible fact ? I think I am pretty solid , " he said , with a laugh , tapping his broad chest with his hand . ' Now clon't run to extremes , but just clear away a little of the romantic nonsense , aud you will find your troubles all the easier to bear . Depend upon it if you only wait long enough all will come right

even yet . " " I believe you are right , doctor , and I am much obliged to you for your encouraging counsel , which I will try to folloiv , " and Arthur sighed as he sought relief from his thoughts in the distorted fancies pictured in the glowing embers of the shining grate , while the door-bell tinkled unmelodiously . " Pardon my abstraction , but I am a poor companion to-night , " said Arthur ,

rousing himself . " Don't trouble yourself on my account . Here ' s someone ferreted me out , and I must go ; but cheer up , and we shall see big things yet . Good bye !" A hearty shake of the hand , and the good-hearted doctor took his departure to attend a fresh patient who required his professional services , while Arthur turned his words over in his mind , and meditated far into the evening , after which he felt that the doctor ' s call had not been in vain .

CHAPTER XX . Drown'd in the gloom and horror . —TENNYSON . FULL of poetic philosophy , Arthur wended his way one fine ni ght to M ' anville Villa . It was some time since he had visited the residence of his beloved Olivia , though he had been often prompted to do so . But he wished to leave Olivia free to follow her own fancy , without attemptino- to sway her actions .

Twice had he won her affections ; twice had she refused him . Yet he felt that he had a strange influence over her whenever they met , but he determined to wait the course of events without using undue efforts in the direction he would most have wished . He hardl y kneiv why he was going that ni ght , and he felt a strange flutter at his heart as he drew nearer and nearer to the house where he had been in c ! a } T s of yore with many conflicting emotions .

Miss Phane was in , ancl glad to see him . At first they spoke of recent events and common-place things . But there was a restraint observable in them both , arising from a fear that they should touch upon subjects painful to either , and a mutual misapprehension of their feelings towards one another . Did he still love her as before , and was he honest ? were the thoughts to arise in Olivia ' s mind , and she answered herself in the affirmative . Humberton , too ,

imagined that she still loved him with her first love , but he was handicapped like herself by not knowing- that his letters to her of long ago , protesting his innocence of the crime attributed to him , had been cruelly intercepted . Thus they were both placed in false positions . Mr . Phane Avas not well , and could not be seen , so they were alone . By some accident or other—how it happened they could never tell , for they guarded carefully against alluding to the past—the subject of Humberton ' s disastrous adventure was broached , and suddenl y Arthur exclaimed :