too, I received a most unexpected and eloquent compliment from Mr Jellyby. He came up to me in the hall, took both my hands, pressed them earnestly, and opened his mouth twice. I was so sure of his meaning that I said, quite flurried, “You are very welcome, sir. Pray don’t mention it!”

“I hope this marriage is for the best, guardian,” said I, when we three were on our road home.

“I hope it is, little woman. Patience. We shall see.”

“Is the wind in the East to-day?” I ventured to ask him.

He laughed heartily, and answered, “No.”

“But it must have been this morning, I think,” said I.

He answered “No,” again; and this time my dear girl confidently answered “No,” too, and shook the lovely head which, with its blooming flowers against the golden hair, was like the very Spring. “Much you know of East winds, my ugly darling,” said I, kissing her in my admiration — I couldn’t help it.

Well! It was only their love for me, I know very well, and it is a long time ago. I must write it, even if I rub it out again, because it gives me so much pleasure. They said there could be no East wind where Somebody was; they said that wherever Dame Durden went, there was sunshine and summer air.