The Village by the River

ice of a site. Instead of a valley he had chosen the side of a hill, and the sloping foreground had been levelled into a s

sunshine of the August morning. It was bordered by a low stone wall along which two peacocks strutted with almost ridiculous self-consciousness of their beauty. In the very centre was a flight of steps which descended to the bowling-green beneath,

in was of the delicate colouring that so often accompanies fair hair, the mouth generally wore a smile displaying Rose's pretty dimples, and the great blue eyes were half concealed by the long lashes. She made her way to the wicket-gate at the far

ses, if I can find any. Nothing satisfies Miss Webster but roses on the mantel-shelf of her sitting-room, and i

e after s

ly. "You've been back nearly a fortnigh

ith you on Sunday evening, and I told yo

and you let him!"

, arching her pretty brows. "I could

me, Rose? I asked you before you

n pricked her finger, holding out the injured member for Tom to lo

e," he said, his voice shaking a litt

. I had a lot of letter

n't trouble

id Rose, petulantly. "It's 'Lancaster' here and 'Lancaster' there, and you've no sooner

if you'd thought

to remember what yo

ant to give a straight answer. Tha

her. There!" cried Rose, with a defiant toss of

d he's a deal better off; but he's a glib sneak, and I know it. I'll wait three months, and then I'll have my

drown himself for love of her; but of course he did not mean it. She was sorry for him; when she was with him she al

hat happens; and meantime I do hope you'

m, sturdily. "I don't wonder he wants you hi

he said you were a decent s

ays trying to run me down in your eyes. A lad, indeed! I'm a m

was nice to find hers

nd let me go. I believe" (in a lowered undertone) "that I hear the ladies talkin

house, she caught a glimpse of Miss Webster and her moth

e she won't get snapped up at once. She is a pleasant little thing to have about one-which reminds me, mother. I saw a pretty girl o

hink. One really can't l

e can't very well ignore the squire o

o recognize him when he b

University men who take to slumming. Anybody may d

me to church," pers

s shared b

and ought," replied

equally necessary for men and

rs. Webster, resigning all hope of anything but moral mediocrity with a gentle sigh. "He says Mr. Le

t, mother. Suppose we call at the cottage and follow up the call

hat he always wants something," said

e haven

ways has some pet hobby on hand for which he wants money, and of course he ought to have it; but really, just now

At any rate let's risk it. If we all air our di

r was such a thorough gentleman. It was quite a plea

man a gentl

e. I'm sure, if he says anything at dinner about our being all equal,

es poor people much the best. He says the truest

ow better, being of such good family himself," said Mrs. Webster, fretfully. "Is it not at the

whilst May subsided into the slippery Windsor as gracefully as if it were the softest sofa. There was something about Sally that pleased her; it may have been a certain originality and freshness of manner, or the unconscious admiration that shone in the dark eyes. Nothing in its way pleases a handsome woman more tha

teful when he found the c

can't be helped. You can return the call

de everybody who cares to know me. Mrs. Macdonald is charming, and Allison amuses me, and Mrs. Pink and I have made friends over the baby; b

their ways. Friendship with them means a stepping-stone to higher things; your m

h in you, Paul. You are

y-only the class to which they belong; of

ied Sally. "I'll start by believing people as ni

e,' as you call it?" asked Paul, hi

r much: the room did not se

o!" said Paul

, with mocking laughter. "But listen; Miss Webs

ng to be young a

being old and cynical,"

rected in a dashing hand, to Sally, inviting Paul and

but, with such near neighbours, I thought it more frie

d Paul, who felt the meshes of t

your house, and to feel what

a proper frock to go in. A

g dress, of a sort; and they d

r heart upon it; but I feel as if

muslin fichu tied in front with long ends falling to the bottom other skirt, she looked, as old Macdonald afterwards remarked to his wife, "as a lady should:" fair, and fresh, and young. Her dusky h

in to bid Macdonald good night, and Mrs. Macdonald said, as she helped me on with my cape, that 'my Joh

ally, and winning your way into Macdonal

realise the importance of the occasion?

lier than most of them," said P

e house, Sally looked about her with eager interest, breaking into excl

rought you. You will be horribly disco

ive here, and make it a joy to everybody about me.

e long drawing-room was thrown wide, and Sally, with the un-self-consciousness of simplicity, heard herself announced, and foun

ing. You've been away with your little Kitty

so that she would have time to consider him carefully. Mrs. Webster placed her hand graciously on Paul's ar

at first: the delicately shaded lights shining down on the dainty flowers, and silver and glass; the dinner, remarkable rather for elegance than profusion; the family portraits on the wall, bewigged and befrilled, which stood at

ces, was asking Mrs. Webst

did not. But we are so fond of it, May and I; it's just the country place we want for the summer months. We are always in Lon

y to get better tenants

nting to live here

my thoughts at present. I ne

asked Mrs. Webster, as if her

ored; it was only advanced beca

. Sally and I are qui

n like that. It hardly

where the wro

you will be expected to be an

my house and garden. There are a great many things that will h

rything, and that each child must have so many cubic feet! I'm sure I can't cope with it all. I only know we, who are a little better off, have to pay for it. He wants me to give a hundred

ancing across at the rector. "I could not subscribe

in the middle of a sentence, and his smiling, kindly face grew grave as he ga

school with you," said Mr. Curzon, at last; "but

"I feel at the present moment we all need more cubic feet. It's so very hot; I almost think we could sit

o see that they were both ready to show fight for their individual opinions, engaged Paul

y," Sally said. "The yew hedge with its

at the opening where, below, the church stood out grand and stately against the evening sk

is voice brought an answeri

es really?" she asked, m

t may be so. If not in m