rty.

On her way downstairs to breakfast she had overheard Victor telling a
servant that he had no orders for the stables this morning. The
inference was, therefore, that he intended to stop at home, and the
thought had instantly darted into her mind that if Mollie went off to
the vicarage there would be an hour or two before lunch, when--when--

Ruth blushed guiltily to herself when she got so far in her
calculations; but it was such a delight to enjoy a quiet _tete-a-tete_
talk sometimes, instead of the general impersonal conversation. So it
came to pass that when Mollie announced her intention of going down to
the vicarage to help in the final preparations, Ruth absolutely refused
to accompany her.

"I've done my share," she said. "To-day I am going to be a visitor pure
and simple, and drive down when everything is ready for my reception."

Mollie shrugged her shoulders resignedly.

"Well, somebody has got to do it, and, thank goodness, I'm not poor-
spirited enough to leave a friend in the lurch at the last moment! I
shan't be satisfied until I see the last chair in order; but I don't see
any reason why I should walk. There is a pony-carriage in the stables,
and if anyone had any nice feeling they would drive me there and back!"

Jack laughed, and limped across the terrace.

"Anyone, singular; they, plural! Your grammar is deficient, Miss
Mollie; but I suppose your modesty forbade you to be more explicit. I
have lots of good-feeling, and nothing to do, so I shall be charmed to
escort you, if you will give the order. It would take me too long to
get down to the stables."

It was evident that Jack's offer was pleasing to Mollie, for she thanked
him with a smile as bright as her words, and a quarter of an hour later
on they were driving together across the park behind the sleek little
pony, Mollie chatting gaily as usual, Jack listening with an air half
amused, half bored. Despite his accident, he was looking strong and
well, his skin bronzed by the outdoor life of the last few weeks; but
the old haughty, intolerant expression, which had seemed his chief
characteristic at first meeting, was still noticeable in curving lip and
nostril. Not an easy man to convince against his will, nor one to be
easily affected by the presence of a pretty girl.

"How cross Uncle Bernard was when I told him about the mysterious
hamper! One would think he grudged poor Mrs Thornton having anything
nice!" said Mollie sev