Kilmeny of the Orchard

semble her mother in expression and only very slightly in feature.”

His reflections were interrupted by the entrance of Thomas and Janet Gordon. The latter had evidently been called from his work. He nodded without speaking, and the two sat gravely down before Eric.

“I have come to see you with regard to your niece, Mr. Gordon,” he said ab- ruptly, realizing that there would be small use in beating about the bush with this grim pair. “ I met your—I met Neil Gordon in the Connors orchard, and I found that he has told you that I have been meeting Kilmeny there.”

He paused. Thomas Gordon nodded again; but he did not speak, and he did not remove his steady, piercing eyes from the young man’s flushed countenance. Janet still sat in a sort of expectant im— movability.

“ I fear that you have formed an un— favourable opinion of me on this account, Mr. Gordon,” Eric went on. “ But I

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