Norston's Rest

and, that their architecture alone is a record of national stability and ever-increasing civilization, written out in the strength of stone and the beauty

s since the first foundation stone was laid, and that was so long ago that its present incumbent, Sir Noel

nerations; for each had contributed something to its gradual construction, since the first rough tower was built with the drawbridge and battlements of feudal times

lackness scarcely felt a gleam of sunshine from month to month. But nearer the old mansion this wilderness was turned into an Eden: lawns of velvet grass-groves where the sunshine shone through the bolls of the trees, turning the grass under them to gold-lakes

in the house, and they were all out upon the terrace, forming a picture of

pared for a glorious run with the hounds. The gentlemen brilliant in scarlet, the ladies half rivalling them in masculi

holding slender-limbed horses, whose coats shone like satin, when the sun touched them, while their hoof

at the brilliant picture before them, others holding back fiery

f expectation. The party was evidently incomplete. Sir Noel was there in his usual dress, speakin

up nearest the steps, where he was tossing his head with an impatience that half

her guardian from childhood, and now delighted to consider her mistre

She in the bloom and loveliness of her youth: he in that exquisite refinement which had been his inheritance through a long line of cultivated and honor

giving some orders to the grooms, came

t?" she said, blushing a

e relationship that he held with Sir Noel. It was evident, not only in the fin

is getting fiercely impatient," he sai

a bright smile

ot let me kee

oward the steps, but the young

ing. I remember you in hunting-

ce then," answered the ba

I shall be almost afraid

shook his head, an

ounger and bette

s cousin, for such the lady was in a remote degree, and for an instant seemed to h

ddle, scarcely touching his proffered hand with her foot; then wh

ected screams, as one fell short of the saddle, or endangered her seat by a too vigorous leap; but all this only added glee to t

down the broad avenue, which swept through more than a mile of the park before it reach

on; let them take a run through the park. They would h

expostulate with his father's guests. "The park was rough in plac

ed them. Away to the right the whole cavalcade took its way where the sun poured its golden streams on the turf under

e slowly as it came opposite a small rustic cottage of stone, old, moss-grown, and picturesque, wherever its hoary walls could be seen, through masses of ivy and climbing roses

in bright cascades to a lake that lay in the wildest and lowest depths of the park, as yet invisible. Young Hurst had urged his horse forward when he came in sight of this wood-nest, and an angry flush swept over his face when the party slackened its speed to a walk, and for an instant stopped altogether, as it came in front of the rustic porch; for there, as if startled by the sudden rush of hoofs, stood a young girl, framed in by the iv

rom?" questioned one of the gentlemen nearest

his hunting-cap as the girl's eyes sought him out in her sudden pan

a gardener's child?" questioned one of

almost forced answer. "We have always tho

n she touched her horse, and the cavalcade dashed after her through the depths of the park and into the open country, where