rt of mock animosity--and when the surface was calm as a mirror,
she thought it was Paradise.

"It really is very nice," said Leo. "I have been out exploring. There is
a lovely glen about a mile off, with woods and a stream--a little
splashing stream--and the banks are simply covered with blue-bells. I
should have picked some, but the path looked suspiciously well cared
for, and there were little gates, as if it belonged to some big place;
to tell the truth, I had an inkling I was trespassing, though there were
no boards up. It would have been awkward to have been met by the owner,
with my hands full of blue-bells. However, I mean to go again to-morrow,
and spy out the land. If it's safe, you shall come."

"Could I walk so far?"

"You can have a little carriage, and leave it at the gate. You could not
get it up the valley, as there is only a footpath, but I think you could
walk that part. I can't tell you how delightful it was,--the sunlight
speckling through the trees, and the cuckoos answering each other across
the brook;--I could have stayed forever, but I remembered you and flew
home."

She flew back, however, the following evening. It was an equally calm,
bright evening, after a day of heat and growth,--and buds that had been
fast closed at dawn, had burst on every side. Tassels hung from the
larches, giving forth their resinous fragrance; and the pink buds of
young oaks, and sprays of waving yellow broom mingled with the many
shades of green above and beneath.

"What a heavenly spot!" sighed Leonore, enraptured. She could not resist
wandering on and on; the woods at Boldero were nothing to this fairy
dell, and at every tinkling waterfall, she was down the thymy bank
overhanging it.

But she noted anew that she was neither preceded nor followed by other
invaders. She also experienced a little thrill of dismay at seeing
through a vista--a long vista, it is true--a country house towards which
a byepath led direct. Oh, well, she must risk it; if met--? She started
and the courage of a moment before began to ebb, for something certainly
moved behind the trees, and now she distinctly saw a figure on the path
in front.

To put a bold face upon it when no one challenged the face was easy, but
it was another matter to--her pulses beat a little faster.

Conning an apology, and prepared to offer it with the best grace she
could muster, she walked slowly forward, with downcast eyes,--then, oh,
what?--oh, who was thi