persisted in. And yet, as a curious trait
in her character, when her father at first
would yield to her, thinking he was
gratifying her, there would be another turn, and
she would be fretful again at being taken
at her word. To them both he was very
useful, almost necessary, because he was
eager and willing. People wondered at
this unmeaning alteration in so " ordinary"
a girl, a girl, too, who had none of the
redeeming virtues of spoiled or ill-regulated
minds, namely, a wild and generous
impulsiveness which hurries them into what
is right. She, indeed, had more of the
qualities which belong to the meaner
animals; the uncertainty and spitefulness in
small matters of the monkey. But there
did at times come in her face a strange
expression of desertion, of questing and
seeking for help, which set every string in
Dudley's heart a jangling.

He was half indignant with himself for
this unmeaning partiality, and at first
struggled to free himself, but, like a true
spoiled child, when she saw he had nearly
succeeded, she exerted her powers, and
made him her slave again. It was about
that era, when she had left school some
three or four years, that she took a freak—
for it was no more— of exhibiting this
power in a most singular way. She had with
her, on a visit, that baronet's sister-in-law,
who had gone away from school with her,
and whom she had treated in her favourite
fitful way. This girl, it occurred to her one
day, should marry Dudley. She set her
heart on it, it was a new whim, and it
should be done, just as she should have that
horse or dress from her father, though it
cost a thousand pounds. And to this task
she set herself so petulantly and so
desperately that Dudley saw he must gratify
her, or else incur her bitter dislike. He was
well off, the baronet's sister-in-law was not,
and was eager to be married. To the
surprise of his friends, to that of Sir Charles,
and to the overflowing triumph of Miss
Panton, this extraordinary marriage was
actually brought about; though almost at
once the new wife found that she had not
her husband's heart, and, being impetuous
and passionate, they separated within a
few months, and Dudley came himself to
tell Laura Panton the news.

"I hope you are satisfied with your
handiwork," he said, bitterly. " You can
do no more, now— at least to us!"

She laughed lightly, and from that time
— about four years before this story begins
— treated him with more gentleness and
toleration. She seemed to consider him
promoted to a responsible station, and herself
privileged to consult him and make him
useful. He seemed to be quite happy in
this mastiff-like office, and came and went
as he chose; and any new guest at Panton
often wondered at the dark, moody, and
scowling man, whose eyes glared so, and
who spoke so little, save when he, the
guest, touched on her, and the scowling
man became eloquent. " Yes, look at her
speaking face. There is a whole world
behind it. They think here, because she will
be so rich, and all that, that she has no
other title. I know her well, and tell you
there is a strange charm about this girl
which would attract if she had not a
farthing. Look, look at her now; see, as
she turns her face to the lamp! I cannot
tell you the effect on me." The guest
cannot see it, but thinks privately this is a
very strange wild creature of a man.

Now Ready,
THE EXTRA CHRISTMAS NUMBERS
OF
ALL THE YEAR ROUND.
CONDUCTED BY CHARLES DICKENS.
Handsomely bound in One Volume,
Price Five Shillings.
Single Numbers may be had, price Fourpence.
London: 26, Wellington-street, Strand, W.C., and
CHAPMAN AND HAIL, 193, Piccadilly, W.

Now Ready, price 5s. 6d., bound in green cloth,
THE SECOND VOLUME
OF THE NEW SERIES OF
ALL THE YEAR ROUND.
To be had of all Booksellers.

MR. CHARLES DICKENS'S FINAL READINGS.
MESSRS. CHAPPELL AND CO. have great pleasure
in announcing that MR. CHARLES DICKENS will resume
and conclude his interrupted series of FAREWELL
READINGS at St. James's Hall, London, early in
the New Year.
The Readings will be TWELVE in NUMBER, and none
will take place out of London.
All communications to be addressed to Messrs.
CHAPPELL and Co., 50, New Bond-street, W.