ut he chose to make light of the whole affair to Fay.

"You hardly deserve to be told that this escapade of yours, Lady
Redmond, has done our patient no harm," he observed, in a half-joking
voice. "Sir Hugh is quieter to-day--much quieter. I should not be
surprised if there be decided improvement in a few hours, but," as
Fay's eyes filled with tears of thankfulness, "it was a very risky
thing to do, and as you deserve to be punished for it, I must insist
that these ponies of yours, who are eating their heads off with
idleness, shall be put in harness at once, and you will please take a
long drive that will not bring you within sight of Redmond Hall for
the next two hours."

Fay laughed at the doctor's grim face, but she was ready to promise
him obedience if Hugh were better; she was quite willing to take the
drive; she rang and ordered the ponies at once, and took the reins in
her own hands. The fresh spring sunshine was delicious; the soft
breezes seemed laden with messages of hope. Dr. Martin was right when
he ordered that drive. Fay's little pale face looked less miserable as
she restrained her ponies' frolics. She found herself listening to the
birds and noticing the young spring foliage with her old interest as
they drove through the leafy lanes. Fay had just turned her ponies'
heads toward the winding road that led straight to the shore, when the
frisky little animals shied playfully at a lady in a gray cloak who
was standing by the hedge looking at a nest of young linnets. As she
turned Fay saw that it was Miss Ferrers, and involuntarily checked her
ponies, and at the same moment Miss Ferrers stepped into the road.

"Oh, Lady Redmond," she said, and Fay wondered why she was so pale.
Had she been ill too? "This is a most unexpected pleasure. May I--may
I"--hesitating for a moment, "ask you to stop and speak to me?"

"Certainly," returned Fay; and with quick impulse she handed the reins
to the groom, and sprung into the road. "Take the ponies up and down,
Ford; I shall not be long. I was just going down on the beach for a
breath of sea-air," she continued, turning to Margaret, "and I am so
glad I have met you, because we can go together," for she thought Hugh
would certainly not mind her exchanging a few courteous words with
Miss Ferrers when they met face to face; besides Miss Ferrers had
asked to speak to her.

"I wanted to know--but of course I see by your face--that Sir Hugh is
better," began Margaret, but