-night, don't you? You look
first-rate."

"I am just as usual," said Mrs Snow, quietly. "But what has kept you
so long? We were beginning to wonder about you."

"Has anything happened?" said Rose, looking over Mrs Snow's head, at a
little crowd of people coming out at the door.

"We have visitors, that is all. The minister is here, and a friend of
yours--your brother Harry's partner. He has brought news--not bad news,
at least he doesna seem to think so, nor Miss Graeme. I have hardly
heard it myself, yet, or seen the young man, for I was tired and had to
lie down. But you'll hear it yourself in due time."

Rose reined her horse aside.

"Take care, dear," said Mrs Snow, as she sprung to the ground without
assistance. "There is no need for such haste. You might have waited
for Sandy or some one to help you, I think."

"What is it, Graeme?" said Rose, for her sister looked flashed and
excited, and there were traces of tears on her cheeks she was sure. But
she did not look anxious--certainly not unhappy.

"Rosie, dear, Charlie has come."

"Oh! Charlie has come, has he? That is it, is it?" said Rose, with a
long breath.

Yes, there was Mr Millar, offering his hand and smiling--"exactly like
himself," Rose thought, but she could not tell very well, for her eyes
were dazzled with the red light of the setting sun. But she was very
glad to see him, she told him; and she told the minister she was very
glad to see _him_, too, in the very same tone, the next minute. There
was not much time to say anything, however, for Hannah--whose patience
had been tried by the delay--announced that tea was on the table, in a
tone quite too peremptory to be trifled with.

"Rose, you are tired, I am sure. Never mind taking off your habit till
after tea."

Rose confessed herself tired after her long and rapid ride.

"For I left Mr Snow at Major Spring's, and went on a long way by
myself, and it is just possible, that, after all, you are right, and I
have gone too far for the first ride; for see, I am a little shaky,"
added she, as the teacup she passed to Mr Snow trembled in her hand.

Then she asked Mr Millar about the news he had brought them, and
whether all were well, and a question or two besides; and then she gave
herself up to the pleasure of listening to the conversation of the
minister, and it came into Graeme's mind that if Harry had been there he
would have said she was amusing herself with a little seriou