e lawns, the glass-houses, the
flower-beds, might and would suffer, he cared not. He was giving supreme
pleasure to human flowers, and for two days out of the three hundred and
sixty-five they were free to do as they liked with the vegetable kingdom
over which on every other day he reigned as monarch supreme. Marquees
now dotted the lawns, and one or two brass bands played rather shrill
music. There were tennis-courts and croquet lawns, and fields set aside
for archery. Luxurious seats, with awnings over them, were to be found
at every turn, and as the grass was of the greenest here, the trees of
the shadiest, and the view of the blue harbor the loveliest, the
Rector's place, on the day of the feast, appeared to more than one
enthusiastic inhabitant of Northbury just like fairyland.

Matty Bell thought so, as, accompanied by her sisters and mother she
stepped into the enchanted ground. The girls were in white to-day, not
well made, and very bunchy and thick of texture. But still the dresses
were white, and round each modest waist was girdled a sash of virgin
blue.

"It makes me almost weep to look at the dear children," whispered Mrs.
Bell to her husband. "They look so innocent and lamb-like, more
particularly Matty."

Here she sighed profoundly.

"I don't see why you should single out Matty," retorted the spouse.
"She's no more than the others, as far as I can see, and Sophy has the
reddest cheeks."

"That's all you know," said Mrs. Bell. Here she almost shook herself
with disdain. "Well, Peter, I often do wonder what Pas are for--not for
observation, and not for smoothing a girl's path, and helping an ardent
young lover. Oh, no, no!"

"Helping an ardent young lover, Tilly! Whatever are you talking about?
Where is he? I don't see him."

"You make me sick, Peter. Hold your tongue, do, and believe your wife
when she says that's about all you are good for. Matty's on the brink,
and that's the truth."

Poor Bell looked as mystified as he felt. Presently he slunk away to
enjoy a quiet smoke with some congenial spirits in the coal trade, and
Mrs. Bell marshalled her girls to as prominent a position as she could
find.

It was her object to get on the terrace. The terrace was very broad, and
ran not only the length of the front of the house, but a good way beyond
at either side. At each end of the terrace was a marquee, decorated with
colored flags, and containing within the most refined order of
refreshments. On