There was still an hour before breakfast, so he took a circuitous path to Fellside, and descended upon the house from the Fell, as he had done that summer morning when he saw James Steadman sauntering about in his garden.

A few yards nearer the grounds he met James Steadman, walking briskly, and smoking his morning pipe.

Does he live in Grasmere?' Steadman looked puzzled.

'It must be old Barlow,' replied Steadman.

Mary went out of the dark stable into the sunny garden, and looked round her, full of admiration for James Steadman's work.

And, if so, had he been living at Fellside all the time; or was he only an occasional visitor of Steadman's? While she stood for a few moments meditating thus, the old man raised his head and looked up at her, with eyes that burned like red-hot coals under his shaggy white brows.

I suppose you are staying in the old part with James Steadman.'

She had made up her mind that this crazy old man must be a relation of Steadman's to whom he gave hospitality either with or without her ladyship's consent.

'Staying with James Steadman,' repeated the old man in a meditative tone.

I have heard Steadman say so.

Steadman says my memory is quite gone, and that I am childish and harmlesschildish and harmless.

Well, I'll come to see you somehow, poor old man; and if Steadman sees me here I will make everything right with him.'

If any question should arise as to her conduct she could have an explanation with Steadman; but she had pledged her word to the poor mad old man, and she meant to keep her promise, if possible.

As she left the stable she saw Steadman riding towards the gate on his grey cob.

The freedom of her intercourse with him was undisturbed for about three weeks; and at the end of that time she came face to face with James Steadman as she emerged from the circle of greenery.

'Yes, I have been sitting talking to that poor old man,' Mary answered, cheerily, concluding that Steadman's look of vexation arose from his being detected in the act of harbouring a contraband relation.

A relation of yours, I suppose?' 'Yes, he is a relation,' replied Steadman.

' Steadman's manner to Lady Mary was curt at the best of times.

'It is Lady Maulevrier's wish that this garden should be reserved for my use,' answered Steadman.

She passed Steadman with her head held high and her eyes sparkling with anger.

Of all other things, Mary Haselden most detested cruelty; and she could see in Steadman's opposition to her wish nothing but the most cold-hearted cruelty to a poor dependent on his charity.

She knew enough of James Steadman's character, from hearsay rather than from experience, to feel sure that he would not easily give way.

SEE Steadman, J. M., JR. CAHILL, JAMES C. SEE Nichols-Cahill Annotated New York Civil Practice Acts.

Writing and thinking; a handbook of composition and revision, by Norman Foerster & J. M. Steadman, Jr. Rev. ed.

Norman Foerster (A) & John M. Steadman III (C); 20May68; R435607.