DEEPER AND DEEPER. 85

Many people hired horses and gigs that day and
drove out into the country, so that there was nothing
at all remarkable in the circumstance of old Evans
driving one of his miserable hacks, which, however,
was made to wear its best looks that day, in one of
his smartest gigs, along the high street and half-a-
mile beyond the end of the town. Of this nobody
took any notice, and it was so contrived, also, that
nobody saw Williams, whose great-coat collar stood
up above his ears, whilst his hat was slouched over
his eyes, assist into the said gig Miss Bannerman,
dressed in a dark blue cloak trimmed with fur, and
a black velvet bonnet, and then take his seat beside
her, and drive off briskly. On they drove, and pre-
sently overtook two other gigs, in which were seated
five members, male and female, of the theatrical
corps, who, like them, were going to spend the day
in the gardens of Alton Towers. But as with these
other five persons we have very little to do, we shall
drop them for the present, and confine ourselves to
our young couple, just as if they were quite alone.

Williams was enraptured with his fair companion.
She looked lovelier than ever in that black velvet
bonnet ; the walk in the clear winter air had brought
a colour to her cheek like that of the June rose. She
was, indeed, very lovely—but not with that vulgar
loveliness which alone consists of beauty of com-
plexion, hair as dark and glossy as “the raven’s
wing, and “ dark, blue eyes, as soft as those of the
dove.” These she had, it is true; but that which
constituted the real charm of her countenance was a
sentiment of tenderness, calm decision, and truth and
love. It was a face to fill with tears the eyes of any
beholder capable of eppreciating qualities such as

I