h-piece of the dominant
faction, bullying a lady and his queen, a capture in their hands. This
was a strange canonization of John Knox, or a singular degradation of
St. Paul. But I see that our dinner waits us; and though this is a
charming spot, we must not linger here too long. I am sure," she
added, "that the shy and meditative stork, who left us so abruptly,
must be a deep theologian, for it was he who suggested this learned
discertation on the church."

The travelers dined here under the shade of the trees, and soon after
took horse again. Moodie threw himself into the saddle with a spirit
and activity which led Lady Mabel to say: "Your good wine, Colonel
L'Isle, has done wonders for Moodie. It carries him well through the
labors of the day."

"It seems to have cured his ailing body," said L'Isle, "but has not
mellowed his temper. He grows more crusty than ever."

"In him," said Lady Mabel, "crustiness is the natural condition, and
betokens health."

They had ridden but a little way, when she heard Moodie call to her,
and reining in her horse, she let him come up alongside of her. He
evidently wished to speak to her in private, for he kept silence until
L'Isle and Mrs. Shortridge were out of hearing, and looked cautiously
round to see that the servants were not too near.

"My lady," said he, in a solemn manner, "I have been looking at you,
wondering if you are the same girl I have seen for years growing up
under my eye."

"Another, yet the same," said she. "I have not yet quite lost my
personal identity."

"And how many months is it since we left Scotland?"

"Weeks you mean, Moodie, it is scarcely yet time to count by months."

"Weeks, then, have made a wondrous change in you."

"I suspect that often happens in the progress of life," said Lady
Mabel. "We seem to stand still for a while at a monotonous stage of
our existence; a sudden change of condition comes, and we leap forward
toward maturity. So, too, we may for years continue young in heart and
health; some heavy trouble or deep grief overtakes us, and we at once
are old."

"It is not a leap forward in life that you have made, but a leap
aside, out of your own character. It amazes me to see you galloping
wildly over this outlandish country, without a thought but flowers,
soldiers, and sightseeing. I sometimes think you bewitched."

"What is more likely?" said Lady Mabel. "To us silly women, flowers,
soldiers, and sightseeing, are the most bewit