l lack of ceremony.

Dick roared. He wanted some outlet for the intense relief that this
cordial welcome conveyed. It was like a reprieve. He would not have to
leave Hazel yet. She was his, and now he could stay and take care of
her.

"Why, Elsie, you're a host in yourself," he said. "A mere man, more or
less, doesn't count when you're on hand."

The Scotswoman, who was brawny and muscular, accepted the compliment;
moreover, she and Dick were great friends. He delighted to chaff her,
but by no means always got the best of the encounter.

"Ay. A'd tak ony sax o' yon heathen sauvages and mak 'em wish they'd
never been born," she returned complacently. "Still, it's weel to have
a mon on the place, speeshully sic a mon as yeerself, Mr Selmes."

"Thanks, Elsie," said Dick, with another laugh, appreciating the sly
chaff. "It's a comfort to know that my trumpeter isn't dead, anyhow."

It was evening, and the usual rush of myriad stars flashed and twinkled
in the warm velvety sky. The moon had not yet risen. Dick Selmes and
Hazel were strolling about round the house. It was much better in the
open air, they mutually agreed, and they were alone together. Their
hostess was engaged in the putting to bed of her nursery of two.

"What nights these are," Dick was saying, the glow of his pipe making a
red spot in the darkness. "Now, at good old Hesketh's it was always
jolly shivery after dark. But here--ah, it's like a dream."

"I don't know. I feel unaccountably depressed to-night," replied the
girl, with a little shiver. Dick noticed it.

"Darling, let me go in and get you a wrap," he said eagerly. "You're
chilly."

"No. I don't want a wrap. I don't know what it is, but I feel a sort
of presentiment, as if something was going to happen. I've been feeling
it all the afternoon, but I wouldn't say anything about it for fear of
communicating it to Mrs Waybridge and making you laugh at me."

"As if I should ever do that. Now chuck off this presentiment, my
Hazel. Why, yesterday afternoon you were saying you would always feel
so safe with me--with me," he added tenderly. "That was one of the
sweetest things I've ever heard you say."

"Was it? Well, then, Dick, it's true. Oh, there are those horrid
cattle groaning again. Will they never leave off?"

"But they often do it. If I were to drive them away they'd be back
again in a minute or two. What does it matter? It pleases them and
doesn't hurt u