ers stooped down and touched the carpet with his large white
hand.

"It is for our little church, and by all accounts it must be gorgeous.
The description makes me fancy it like the robe of office that Aaron
wore. It has a border of pomegranates, I know. Ah, color is one of my
sister's hobbies. She agrees with Ruskin in connecting brilliant
coloring with purity of mind and nobility of thought. I believe if she
had her way she would wear those same crimsons and emeralds herself."

Margaret smiled indulgently. "You must not believe my brother, Lady
Redmond. I am very simple in my tastes, but I love to see them on
others;" and she looked at Fay's ruby dress. She had removed the heavy
furred mantle, and she thought Lady Redmond looked move like a lovely
child than ever in her little closely fitting gown.

"Where is my cousin, Mr. Ferrers?" she asked, with some surprise, as
he placed himself in a carved arm-chair that stood near the couch.

"Mr. Huntingdon has started off for Redmond Hall. He was afraid your
husband might have returned and would be feeling anxious. He will come
back in the carriage to fetch you; but as it is rather a long way by
the road, and the snow is very deep, you must not look for him for
another two hours. Margaret, luncheon is ready; I am going to tell
Ruth to bring some up for Lady Redmond."

Fay was not sorry to have a little longer rest. She was very
comfortable lying in this pleasant sunny room, and she had fallen in
love with Miss Ferrers.

When they had left her to partake of the dainty little luncheon
brought to her, she thought a great deal about the beautiful face that
looked so pale and sad, and yet so kind. Had she known trouble, she
wondered; she was quite young, and yet there was no look of youth
about her. One would never speak of her as a girl, for example--she
was much too grave and staid for that; but what a sweet voice she had,
very low and harmonious, and yet so clear.

Fay had forgotten her husband for the moment. Erle would explain
everything to him, and of course he could not be vexed. What a
tiresome thing that this misunderstanding had arisen. She must coax
Hugh to put it right. She liked Miss Ferrers better than any of her
neighbors. It made her feel good only to look at her.

She wondered if she could venture to hint about the estrangement, or
to say how sorry she was that anything should keep them apart. She had
not quite made up her mind about it when the brother