CHAPTER IX.

"Had I a heart for falsehood framed,
I ne'er could injure you."

WALTER'S meditations, as he started from Westminster on that Saturday afternoon, were not very comfortable, but a brisk walk across the park put him into good humour, and Mrs. Sowerby's welcome, as she appeared in that pretty drawing-room in the most charming of morning costumes, completed the cure.

"Now I hope you are come prepared to work very hard," said she. "I've been looking in the almanac, and I see Friday, the 24th, is a saint's day, so of course, you'll be able to come out then, and I'll fix

my party for that day. Well ?" And she gave him an arch look, as if anticipating an objection.

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Well, but really-" said Walter. "Really, what ?”

"It interferes so dreadfully with my work."

"Oh, I'm sure you're much too clever for that to signify!" said Amoret, with the old innocent look in her grey eyes. he, Charlie ?"

"Isn't

"I should think he knew best himself." This rather put our poor foolish Walter's back up. He was silent, and Mrs. Sowerby said, "It'll break my heart, Mr. Pike; it really will, if you don't come.'

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Well, I know I oughtn't, but-”

"At any rate, now you are here, you can help me to find a charade. My head is such a stupid one for thinking of words. Look, here's a list Mr. Gilbert and I made out the other day."

"I don't see how we could act any of these," said Walter, committing himself unconsciously by that little pronoun. "Pine-apple, Counter-pane; the whole of that is so stupid! Bank-wet. Oh, I say, I think one might make something of that. A bank, you know-a bank in Lombard Street, or a bank of roses, and then getting wet. A pic-nic.”

"Or a gentleman saving a lady's life in the water."

"Yes, or Shylock whetting his knife. When you once leave off spelling accurately, it doesn't much matter where you stop." "Certainly not," said Mrs. S. "And

then the banquet. Alonzo the Brave and the fair Imogene," and she began humming and half-acting that well-known ditty.

"That's right, Mr. Pike," as Walter approached with his head solemnly drawn up, his mouth solemnly drawn down, one

hand on his hip, and the other brandishing a paper-knife at her.

"You hoped, that to punish your falsehood and pride,
My ghost at your wedding would sit by your side,
Upbraid you with cruelty, claim you as bride,
And bear you away to the grave."

"Capital, capital! Now, Charlie, look sharp, do. Don't you see I want you here, sir, to faint away on your shoulder ?"

Charlie came and complied, but in so wooden and unsympathetic a way, that his mother told him not to be a stick.

"Falsehood and pride!" said Walter. "Don't you think Falsehood would be a better word? False hair, or false keys, or false anything. And hood, you know, is easy enough. And, And, then, falsehood is splendid for a finale.”

"So it is! Oh, here's Mr. Hastings Gilbert. Charlie, ring for some tea. Mr. Gilbert, we're just wanting your advice

about these charades. Mr. Pike here is

kind enough to say he will help us.

"I am sure he will be a great acquisition," said Mr. Gilbert, with an aggravating air of superiority, as he put down his hat, gave an affectionate, though delicate touch to his hair and whiskers, and deposited a portfolio beside his chair.

"What pretty things have you got there?"

"Oh, only a few drawings I thought you'd like to see. Gamboge was with me last night, and I made him leave a few with me to show you."

"Oh, that will be too charming. Will he have many things in the Exhibition this year ? "

"Two or three. He is working hard at them. He's painting a great picture of that scene in Adam Bede where Dinah Morris goes and talks to Hetty. I saw