'WHY NOT TRUST ME, MAX ?' Max looked very discomposed when he saw Miss Hamilton; he shook hands with her gravely, and sat down without saying a word.

I wondered if it were my fancy, or if Miss Hamilton had really grown perceptibly paler since his entrance.
'What does this mean, Uncle Max ?' I asked gaily, for this sort of oppressive silence did not suit me at all.

'I understood that you and Mr.Tudor were dining at the Glynns' to-night.' 'Lawrence has gone without me,' he replied.

'I had a headache, and so I sent an excuse; but, as it got better, I thought I would come up and see how you were getting on.' 'A headache, Uncle Max!' looking at him rather anxiously, for I had never heard him complain of any ailment before.

I had been dissatisfied with his appearance ever since I had come to Heathfield; he had looked worn and thin for some time, but to-night he looked wretched.
'Oh, it is nothing,' he returned quickly.