soft bloom which inclines to paleness,
is now heightened into glow by exercise and sunlight. The features are
small and feminine; the eyes dark with long lashes; the mouth singularly
beautiful, with a dimple on either side, and parted now in a half-smile
at some pleasant recollection, giving a glimpse of small teeth
glistening as pearls. But the peculiar charm of her face is in an
expression of serene happiness, that sort of happiness which seems as if
it had never been interrupted by a sorrow, had never been troubled by a
sin,--that holy kind of happiness which belongs to innocence, the light
reflected from a heart and conscience alike at peace.

CHAPTER II.

IT was a lovely summer evening for the Squire's rural entertainment. Mr.
Travers had some guests staying with him: they had dined early for
the occasion, and were now grouped with their host a little before six
o'clock on the lawn. The house was of irregular architecture, altered
or added to at various periods from the reign of Elizabeth to that of
Victoria: at one end, the oldest part, a gable with mullion windows;
at the other, the newest part, a flat-roofed wing, with modern sashes
opening to the ground, the intermediate part much hidden by a veranda
covered with creepers in full bloom. The lawn was a spacious table-land
facing the west, and backed by a green and gentle hill, crowned with
the ruins of an ancient priory. On one side of the lawn stretched a
flower-garden and pleasure-ground, originally planned by Repton; on the
opposite angles of the sward were placed two large marquees,--one for
dancing, the other for supper. Towards the south the view was left open,
and commanded the prospect of an old English park, not of the stateliest
character; not intersected with ancient avenues, nor clothed
with profitless fern as lairs for deer: but the park of a careful
agriculturist, uniting profit with show, the sward duly drained and
nourished, fit to fatten bullocks in an incredibly short time, and
somewhat spoilt to the eye by subdivisions of wire fence. Mr. Travers
was renowned for skilful husbandry, and the general management of
land to the best advantage. He had come into the estate while still in
childhood, and thus enjoyed the accumulations of a long minority. He had
entered the Guards at the age of eighteen, and having more command of
money than most of his contemporaries, though they might be of higher
rank and the sons of richer men, he had been much