w he would
stand that trial. Kindness and flattery might win him over, where
threats and cruelty failed."

Freda's face was gravely intent. She was conscious of a growing
interest in and affection for Anthony Dalaber since his own fervent
declaration of love towards herself. She had given him no definite
promise, but she felt that henceforth their lives must of necessity
be more or less linked together. She could not be indifferent to
aught that concerned him; the stability of his faith and of his
character must mean very much to her in the future.

But for the moment it was difficult to think of these things.
Joyous springtide was on the world; May Day, with all its gay
doings, was close at hand; and graver thoughts or anxious fears
alike seemed out of place.

The girls were up with the lark on May Day morning, donning their
holiday robes of white taffeta and spotless lawn, cunningly
embroidered by their own skilful fingers, Freda's in silver and
Magdalen's in gold thread. They each had girdles of silver and gold
cord respectively, and snowy headgear embroidered in like fashion.
They looked as fresh and as lovely as the morning itself, and their
father's eyes shone with loving pride as they presented themselves
before him.

"We grow young again in our children," he said, as they sallied
forth just as the east was growing rosy with the harbinger of dawn.

The dew lay thick upon the grass, whitening it with a glittering
mantle; but the paths were dry and firm, and the girls held up
their dainty draperies and tripped along so lightly that their
white leather embroidered shoes gathered no soil by the way. Then,
just as the clock of Cardinal College boomed out the hour, a chorus
of sweet, clear voices up high in the air broke into merry song,
just as the first early sunbeam struck across the sky, and lighted
up the group of singers half hidden behind the low battlements.

The meadows below were thronged with gownsmen from the various
colleges, as well as by crowds of townsfolk, all in holiday attire,
who had streamed out of the gates to hear the singing. Later in the
day there might probably be brawling and disputes betwixt the two
parties--"town and gown," as they were later dubbed. But the early
morning hour seemed to impose peace upon all spirits, and there was
no hooting or brawling or rioting of any kind; but a decorous
silence was observed, all faces being lifted upwards, as the sweet
strains came floating fr