Dwell Deep

ss through th

whisper ri

ain of "might

rted out one afternoon with Miss Rayner for a ride. I was not on the chestnut mare this time, but on Rawdon, Miss Ray

. Suddenly, without any warning, a pack of hounds dashed by, followed closely by the hunt

on threw up his head, his nostrils quivering with excitement, and th

' were the words I heard from Miss Rayn

fortunate thing for me that the bit of moor we were on was on the level; but now I saw, to my consternation, the hounds were making for some fields adjoining, and Rawdon was carrying me straight towards a five-barred gate. I ha

citedly, as his horse vainly tried to keep up with mine. 'Look out for that hed

obtained complete mastery of me. I set my teeth, and drew my breath

, had brought me right to the finish; only three other gentlemen were there besides the master of the hounds. I felt in an extremely awkward positio

of the season, and we have had the most splendid run, th

situation. 'I am not one of your number; I was taking a quiet ride on the moor with a friend, when my ho

gentleman. 'Very few ladies would have taken that last

presented, and then, one by one, other riders came upon the scene. It was a gr

took the lead so? We couldn't imagine what lady it was! I think I must be

back with me away from all these people to me

. No wonder you don't want to come back to us just yet! I must write and tell the girls you are enjoying yourself in the hunting-field. Do you know that it is one of the governor's fads that girls ar

elighted chuckle at

y to cry with vexation. Then, to my great delight, Miss Ra

ou over the gate and hedge; you took them well. I almost wished to be

y, Miss Rayner,' I

leman rode up to her. 'Miss Rayner, I haven't seen yo

g, when her horse bolted with her, and I have only just come upon the scene. I have given up hunt

nimated conversation with one another. They seemed

Miss Ray

are you s

wly, 'With Ratcliffe-Charlie

then said, in a cold, hard voice, 'I t

e down quietly now, and has just bought a house somewhere in Surrey. He is a good fellow, but odd, you know. Since his return he has been slumming in the East End of London like a parson. I am staying with

d out.' From the minute she set foot in a place, you were conscious of her cheery presence. Sometimes whistling to her dogs, chatting briskly to any in her path, and always full of energy and spirit; but now she sat with a dreamy, absent look in her eyes, and started if I addressed he

was in a dream myself. My favourite verse running through my head, I sought to bring it out of my violin, and as the last note died away I became conscious that Miss Rayner's

efore,' she said brusquely, a

said. 'I never get it just the same. I was tryi

thought

ow a verse

ce troubles

flings o

depth is

my God,

y and take for my life's motto: "Dwell de

there had been much occasion in your life at pr

ed very insignificant to her who had perhaps

s bygone tales too often; so I shall not expect you to refer to it again. I was engaged to Charles Ratcliffe for six years. He, Colonel Hawkes, and I were always together; we hunted, danced, and amused ourselves as the rest of the world. Charlie-Mr. Ratcliffe-was then a struggling young barrister, and we waited for more prosperous times. About a year before we were to have been married, he'-she paused and gave a hard little laugh, 'well

red, as she paused as ab

ing: 'it was odd running up against Colonel Hawkes to-day. Did

never let me forget it. I wish he were not such a tease. He would misunderstand m

from your usual one. Never mind, child. Words do not break bones. Let him have the enjoyment of

shall want to mount Rawdon again whi

ther the blank had been as great in his life as in hers. But then I remembered that he had what she had not-a satisfied soul and an unseen personal Friend. I felt a great pity for her. I knew from what I had heard from others that she had withdrawn herself from society for many years, and rightly conjectured that when the one she really cared about was no longer to be met