" Ben was a gentleman by instinct, though
his heart was heavy and the colonel a favoured rival.

"By the way," said the colonel, "I wish to have an interview with your
uncle, about the old mill site. He seems to have been a stockholder in
the company, and we should like his signature, if he is in condition
to give it. If not, it may be necessary to appoint you his guardian,
with power to act in his place."

"He's all right, sir, in the morning, if you come early enough,"
replied Ben, courteously. "You can tell what is best to do after
you've seen him."

"Thank you," replied the colonel, "I'll have my man drive me out
to-morrow about ten, say; if you'll be at home? You ought to be there,
you know."

"Very well, sir, I'll be there all day, and shall expect you."

Graciella threw back one compassionate glance, as they drove away
behind the colonel's high-stepping brown horse, and did not quite
escape a pang at the sight of her young lover, still sitting on the
steps in a dejected attitude; and for a moment longer his reproachful
eyes haunted her. But Graciella prided herself on being, above all
things, practical, and, having come out for a good time, resolutely
put all unpleasant thoughts aside.

There was good horse-flesh in the neighbourhood of Clarendon, and the
colonel's was of the best. Some of the roads about the town were
good--not very well kept roads, but the soil was a sandy loam and was
self-draining, so that driving was pleasant in good weather. The
colonel had several times invited Miss Laura to drive with him, and
had taken her once; but she was often obliged to stay with her mother.
Graciella could always be had, and the colonel, who did not like to
drive alone, found her a vivacious companion, whose naive comments
upon life were very amusing to a seasoned man of the world. She was as
pretty, too, as a picture, and the colonel had always admired
beauty--with a tempered admiration.

At Graciella's request they drove first down Main Street, past the
post-office, where she wished to mail a letter. They attracted much
attention as they drove through the street in the colonel's new trap.
Graciella's billowy white gown added a needed touch of maturity to her
slender youthfulness. A big straw hat shaded her brown hair, and she
sat erect, and held her head high, with a vivid consciousness that she
was the central feature of a very attractive whole. The colonel shared
her thought, and looked at her with fran