. "If you own land in this country,
it seems you must submit to a number of ridiculous rules and folks
won't leave you alone. However, did you like the town?"

"We were charmed. It's a quaint old place and the country round is so
green and quiet. Everything's smooth and well-kept; the trees look as
if somebody had taught them how they ought to grow. You feel as if all
the rough work had been done long since and folks have only to take
care of things. I like it all."

"Then, you will be satisfied to stay at Langrigg?"

"For a time. If you want us."

"I'd be happy if you'd stay for good!"

Carrie said nothing for a moment and then smiled.

"That's impossible, though you're very nice. We'll make the most of
our holiday; but it's only a holiday."

She turned, rather quickly, and joined Mrs. Winter, who was going into
the house.

CHAPTER III

MORDAUNT PONDERS

It was raining and Mordaunt stood by an open window in Mrs. Halliday's
drawing-room at Whitelees. A smell of stocks came in, and across the
lawn, rows of dahlias, phlox, and autumn lilies made a belt of glowing
color against a dark yew hedge. The hedge was neatly clipped and the
turf was very smooth. By and by Mordaunt turned and glanced about the
room, which he knew well. Whitelees was modern, and although Mrs.
Halliday sometimes grumbled about her poverty, its furniture and
decoration indicated extravagance. Mordaunt, however, thought there
was too much ornament and doubted if some of the pottery was genuine.
The room was pretty, but he was a connoisseur and was not satisfied
with prettiness. He liked Langrigg better than Whitelees. Langrigg
was austere and dignified.

Mordaunt was not at all austere, although he was not effeminate or
luxurious. He was a good sportsman, something of an artist, and a
traveler. He had talent, and might perhaps have made his mark, if he
had not had just enough money to meet his needs and exaggerated dislike
for competitive struggle. It had been a bitter disappointment that he
had inherited very little of Joseph Dearham's property, although none
of his relations suspected this, for Mordaunt knew how to hide his
feelings. He was stubbornly conservative and held tenaciously the
traditions of his class.

Presently Mrs. Halliday came in. Mordaunt, who knew his aunt well,
thought she harmonized with her room. She was a handsome, gracious
woman, but one felt now and then that her charm was forced and