A Shakespearian Heroine.

to spend his substance on the precious metals ; or perhaps he realized that the published experiences of the Shakespearian heroes would make the choice too obvious . At all events , only polished wood met our gaze . There was nothing to suggest which casket held the lady . Fayrer seemed very much at his ease . He always had a

slightly ceremonious manner , especially with Portia ; but to-day he walked up to her with the air almost of an accomplice ; and after a moment I heard him murmur : " How did you know which it was ? " " Which , what ? " asked Portia blankly .

" Which casket , " he said . " I have not the remotest idea which it is , " she answered . A shade as of displeasure came over his countenance , and he walked away . He averted his head and did not even

look at the caskets . After waiting a few seconds Portia looked at me entreatingly . I understood that she could not speak , so I remarked to Fayrer that there was no reason for delay . " No , " he said , " why not ?" And he advanced to the table . He stood there turning

red and white by turns . His noble , slightly bowed head , with its clear-cut features , was very distinctly outlined against the high white wall behind him . It suddenly occurred to me that it was revolting that a man should thus be juggling for the possession of a girl . For , after all , what else was

it ? That the girl herself insisted on the carrying out of the iniquitous mediaeval zany did not remove the blame from the shoulders of the man . But , no doubt , Fayrer , with the same blind enthusiasm that had animated Hartley Browne , thought that whatever Shakespeare had blessed must indeed he blessed . His hesitation seemed interminable . Yet he was not

looking at the caskets , but at the girl . At length , however , he made his choice , and then abruptly walked away , while I helped Portia to unlock the casket . There , at the bottom , staring us helplessly in the face , lay her photograph . There was a long silence . Fayrer , his back towards us ,

was looking out of the window . " You have chosen the right casket , Mr . Fayrer , " said Mrs . Browne in her thin tones at length . " But you cannot of course suppose that this farce binds my daughter to you . "

" I leave my fate entirely in the hands of your daughter , madam , " said Fayrer in his stiflest manner . Portia , very pale , but quite self-possessed , moved across and placed her hand in his . He bowed over it and slightly kissed it . Sir Walter

Raleigh could have done no better . And then I went out from this medi . eval atmosphere into the high road , where I heard some Early Edwardian English from young Huggins ( who was waiting for me to tell him the news ) which would have amazed the late William

Shakespeare . Poor Portia ! No doubt she was bitterly repenting her folly ! But to my surprise , when I met her the next morning I found her more cheerful than she had been since her father ' s death .

"Woman , thy name is frailty ! " I reflected . " Here she is falling in love with a man just because she is accidentall y engaged to him !—No regrets ? " I asked cynically . " I could not do otherwise than as I have clone , " said Portia . " I confess I am very much surprised . But I never fight against things , you know ; I just do what I feel I must ,

and don't fuss . I had to obey my clear father ; and when a message like that comes to show he was right I can only go ahead and trust . Are you coming to the links ?" And I wondered whether this filial piety and childlike confidence was not worse than a suspicious , unbelieving

disposition . I got two letters next day , each making an appointment . The first was from Fayrer , asking me to call at Belmont that morning ; the other , unsigned , asking me to meet the writer at a village a few miles away .

I went to Belmont , and there I found Fayrer with Portia and her Mother . " As you were here the other day , " said Fayrer turning to me , " I have requested you to be present this morning . I have something to say . I am here as a penitent . When I chose that casket I was cheating . I thought it was by

Miss Browne ' s wish and through her assistance . I find that is not so . I think it is only right I should mention the fact . It was not the arbitrament of chance , but of an anonymous letter which I received that morning , giving plain hints about rosewood . When Miss Browne told me , before I made my

choice , that she did not know which casket held her picture , I , fully believing the letter to be from her , disbelieved her word . I was so disillusioned by what I believed to be her insincerity , that I admit I hesitated to make a choice , at all . I now know I was mistaken , and I ask her pardon . That is

all I have to say . " " But who could have warned you ! " I exclaimed . " I don't know . I am satisfied it was not Miss Browne . " No doubt the betrothed Portia , true to her maxims , had not fussed over him , and hence his discovery of her innocence .

" But no living person knows about the caskets , " said Portia . Then I had an idea ; and it was connected with brown paper parcels .

" Only your father ! " I sighed , as if agreeing with her . " Yes , but he told no one . " " Then it's a mystery ! " I summed up the situation . " There's no more to be said . Is Sir Joseph to have his chance , or have we had enough Venetian customs ? " " I never thought of that , " said Portia , looking somewhat

perturbed . " Certainly , " said Mrs . Browne with alacrity , " of course he must . It would only be fair . I will let him know what has happened at once . " " Portia , I have had my chance and lost it , " said Fayrer .

" Well , I wish a better man better luck . If I had not thought you wished it , I would never have claimed you . I am ashamed to think what might have happened if I had chosen fairly . Good-bye . "

" Good-bye , " said Portia , in tones of quite unmistakable relief . Then she suddenly stooped down and kissed him . Mrs . Browne looked exceedingly shocked ; but I felt myself admiring the action more than I had ever admired her longest drives at golf . And Fayrer turned and left us .

And Mrs . Browne sat down to write to Sir Joseph . And I went off to meet my unknown correspondent . Though not usually considered a man of iron nerve , I flatter myself few could have shown less trepidation than I , when I found myself in the presence of a ghost . I suppose

I had had a sort of spirit-warning that this experience was about to happen to me , for I hardly felt surprise . Though disguised , and very well disguised , as a respectable mechanic , I immediately recognized the departed Browne . He seemed disappointed at my stolidity .

" And where have you been hiding all this time ? ' I asked somewhat sternly . " Oh , London , mostly , " he answered abstractedly , " but of course I have kept myself informed of all that has gone on . Look here ; " and he held up a copy of the local paper and showed me triumphantly a paragraph which ran : ' We

understand an interesting ceremony has taken place at Belmont , the residence of the late Hartley Browne , Esq ., resulting in the betrothel of Hiss Porshia Browne to F . G . Fayrer , Esq ., of Portlands . ' " Do you see that ? " he exclaimed . " I am rewarded ! Sometimes I have doubted if I

had acted rightly ; but all has turned out as I meant . My girl is a true Shakespearian heroine ! After all , we are masters of our fate ! But we must swim , not float ; be active , not passive . Now I want you to help me to come back to my own place hi the world without scandal . "

I was much annoyed at his deplorable conceit . I could have undeceived him as to his masterly manipulation of fate , but I decided that he fully deserved to find out the facts for himself .