nk we are far from the Grange--that curious old red-brick
house we passed the other day. This lane leads to the Sandycliffe
road, and I expect we are not a quarter of a mile from the village."

"All right," responded Erie, cheerfully; "I can carry you as far as
that easily."

"Oh! but we must not go to the Grange," returned Fay, in rather a
regretful voice. She was suffering a good deal of pain with her foot,
her boot hurt her so, but she would not make a fuss. "The Ferrers are
the only people who have not called on us, and Hugh would not like me
to go there."

"Nonsense," replied Erie, impatiently; "what does that matter in a
case like this. I suppose you think that good Samaritan ought to have
left his card first before he helped that poor traveler?"

Fay tried to laugh, but it was rather an effort. "You do not
understand," she said, gently; "Hugh used to know the Ferrers, and he
says they are very nice people; he is the blind vicar of Sandycliffe,
and his sister lives with him. I do not know whether they are old or
young; but Hugh said that he had had a misunderstanding with them, and
that it would be very awkward to renew the acquaintance; he does not
wish me to visit them."

"Perhaps not. I dare say the Samaritan and the unfortunate traveler
were not on visiting terms afterward, but under the present agreeable
circumstances we must certainly avail ourselves of the first shelter
that offers itself. Hugh would quite approve of my advice, and in his
absence must allow me to judge for you;" and there was a slight
peremptoriness in Erle's voice, to which Fay yielded, for she offered
no resistance when he lifted her from the ground with his old playful
smile.

Fay was very small and light, but her furs were heavy; still, Erle was
strong and wiry, and he carried her easily enough--he actually had
breath to joke too--while the two dogs bounded before him barking
joyously, and actually turning in at the Grange gates of their own
accord--at least Pierre did, and Nero followed him.

Erle looked up curiously at the old red-brick house, with its
picturesque gables and mullioned windows, and then, as he deposited
Fay on the stone seat inside the porch, and was just raising his hand
to the knocker, the door opened, and a very tall man in clerical dress
appeared suddenly on the threshold. Erle's hand fell to his side, and
he and Fay exchanged puzzled glances; it must be Mr. Ferrers, they
thought, and of course he did not