'AIRY FAIRY LILIAN.' 245
head. The air is crispy, and, though cold, full of life
and invigorating power.
' I shall go for a walk,' says Lilian, appearing sud¬
denly in the billiard-room, looking like a little northern
fairy, so encased is she in velvet and dark fur. Upon
her yellow hair is resting the most coquettish of fur
caps, from beneath which her face smiles fairer and
fresher for its rich surroundings. The two men she
addresses look up, and let the honest admiration they
feel for her betray itself in their eyes.
Outside the window, seated on the sill, which ia
some little distance from the ground, is Archibald
smoking. Archibald, as a rule, is always smoking.
Inside is Guy, also indulging in a cigar and disputing
volubly about some knotty point connected with guns
or cartridges, or the proper size of shot to be used for
particular birds, I cannot remember exactly what; I do
remember, however, that the argument completely falls
through when Lilian makes her appearance.
' Were there ever such lazy men ?' says Miss Lilian,
scornfully. ' Did all the shooting with Tom Stejme last
week do you up so completely ? I warned you, if you
will be pleased to recollect, that there wasn't much
work in you. Well, I am going to the wood. Who
will come with me ?'
' I will,' say Guy and Archibald in a breath. And
then ensues a pause.
' Embarras de richesses,' says ]\Iiss Chesney, with a
gay laugh and a slight elevation of her brows, ' You
shouldn't all speak at once. Now, which shall I
choose ?' Then, impelled by the spirit of mischief
that always possesses her when in her guardian's pre¬
sence, she says, ' It would be a shame to take you out.
Sir Guy, would it not? You seem so cosy here'—
glancing at the fire—' while Archibald is evidently bent
on exercise.'
' As you please, of course,' says Guy, with well-
feigned indifference, too well feigned for Miss Ches-
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