o fly before me along the hedgerows, in the good old times, ten years
ago! Ah! yes, it is only the human element that changes."

"One is often so thankful for a change in that," Temperley remarked,
with an urbane sort of cynicism.

"True," said Miss Du Prel; "but what is so discouraging is that so often
the charm goes, like the bloom of a peach, and only the qualities that
one regrets remain and prosper."

"I think people improve with time, as often as they fall off," said the
Professor.

The others shook their heads.

"To him that hath shall be given, but to him that hath not----" The
Professor smiled a little sadly, in quoting the significant words.
"Well, well," he said, turning to Miss Du Prel, "I can't say how happy I
am to see you again. I have not yet got over my surprise. And so you
have made the acquaintance of the family at Dunaghee. I have the warmest
respect and affection for those dear folks. Mrs. Fullerton has the
qualities of a heroine, kind hostess as she is! And of what fine
Scottish stuff the old man is made--and a mind like crystal! What
arguments we used to have in that old study of his! I can see him now.
And how genial! A man could never forget it, who had once received his
welcome."

Such was Miss Du Prel's impression, when ten minutes later the meeting
took place between the Professor and his old friend.

It would indeed have been hard to be anything but genial to the
Professor. Hadria remembered him and his kindness to her and the rest of
the children, in the old days; the stories he used to tell when he took
them for walks, stories full of natural lore more marvellous than any
fairy tale, though he could tell fairy tales too, by the dozen. He had
seemed to them like some wonderful and benevolent magician, and they
adored him, one and all. And what friends he used to be with Ruffian,
the brown retriever, and with every living creature on the place!

The tennis-party began to break up, shortly after the Professor's
arrival. Temperley lingered to the last.

"Is that a son of the celebrated Judge Temperley?" asked one of the
bystanders.

"His eldest son," answered Mr. Gordon; "a man who ought to make his
mark, for he has splendid chances and good ability."

"I have scarcely had a word with you, the whole afternoon," Temperley
said to Hadria, who had sunk upon a seat, tired with making herself
agreeable, as she observed.

"That is very sad; but when one has social gatherings, one neve