ends and strangers alike; admiring remarks generally they were,
and though they did not reach the ears of the young people, Clifton
could very easily imagine them. He enjoyed the situation, and if his
companion did not, as one observing lady remarked, "her looks belied
her." By and by they came round to the stand again and stopped to speak
with Elizabeth.

"I am glad you brought the carriage, Lizzie," said her brother. "It is
a sight well worth seeing, and one gets the best view in going all the
way round."

It was a sight worth seeing. There were already many hundreds of people
on the ground. It was a large grassy field, sloping down gradually
nearly to the river. The Grove, where the speakers' stand had been
placed, and where many long tables were spread, was toward the upper
part of it, but there were trees scattered through all the field, and
groups of people were sitting and walking about here and there through
the whole of it, and more were arriving every moment.

There was a good deal of bright colour about the "meeting-clothes" of
some of them, and the effect at a distance was pleasing. In the lower
part of the field toward the right, where there were trees enough for
shade, but an open space also, many children were running about, and
their voices, possibly too noisy for the pleasure of those close beside
them, came up the hill with only a cheerful murmur that heightened the
effect of the scene.

"I consider myself fortunate in being permitted to witness such a
gathering," said the young lady in the carriage. "You must feel it to
be very encouraging to see so many people showing themselves to be on
the right side."

"Yes, there is a very respectable gathering. There are a great many
from neighbouring towns," said Elizabeth; "I am very glad we have so
fine a day."

"We can make room for you, Miss Holt," said Miss Langden.

"Yes, Lizzie, come; we will drive round again. You can have a far
better idea of the numbers when you see the whole field."

But Elizabeth declined. Indeed, she ventured to express a doubt whether
it were the right thing to do. But Clifton only laughed, and asked her
who she supposed would be likely to object.

"All the same; I would rather not do what others are not permitted to
do," said Elizabeth gravely.

"All right, Lizzie," said her brother.

The young lady at his side made no movement.

"Shall we take another turn round the field?" said Clifton. "Oh, yes,
Li