WYLDER'S HAJVD.
 
know her brother, a little — that is Captain Lake — Stan-
ley Lake; he's her brother, I fancy?"
"Ok?" said the young lady, in that tone which is be-
tween a note of inquiry and of surprise. "Yes; he's her
brother."
And she paused ; as if something more were expected.
But at that moment the bland tones of Larcom, the solemn
butler, announced the Rev. William Wylder and Mrs.
Wylder, and I said —
"William is an old college friend of mine;" and I
observed him, as he entered, with an affectionate and sad
sort of interest. Eight years had passed since we met last,
and that is something at any time. It had thinned my
simple friend's hair a little, and his face, too, was more
careworn than I liked, but his earnest, sweet smile was
there still. Slight, gentle, w ih something of a pale and
studious refinement in his face. The same gentle voice,
with that slight, occasional hesitation, which somehow I
liked.
And who was this little Mrs. William Wylder who
came in, so homely of feature, so radiant of good humor,
so eager and simple, in a very plain dress, leaning so pleas-
antly on his lean, long, clerical arm, and who looked round
with that anticipation of pleasure, and that simple con-
fidence in a real welcome, which are so likely to insure it?
Was she an helpmeet for a black-letter man, who talked
with the Fathers in his daily walks, could extemporise Latin
hexameters, and dream in Greek. Was she very wise, or at
all learned? I think her knowledge lay chiefly in the
matters of poultry, and puddings, and latterly, of the
nursery, where one treasure lay— a golden-haired little
boy, four years old.
When the Vicar, I dare say, in a very odd, quaint way,
made his proposal of marriage, moved thereto assuredly,