hired horses that every one uses, and only asks that
they should serve for the day they have taken them."

"There, Beecher," said Davis, with a laugh. "I sincerely hope she's not
going to discuss _your_ character or _mine_."

"By Jove! I hope not." And in the tone in which Beecher uttered this
there was an earnestness that made the other laugh heartily.

"Well, here we are. This is your home for the present," said Davis, as
he welcomed them to the little inn, whose household were all marshalled
to receive them with fitting deference.

The arrangements within doors were even better than the picturesque
exterior promised; and when Lizzy came down to dinner, she was in
raptures about her room, its neatness even to elegance, and the glorious
views that opened before the windows.

"I'm splendidly lodged too," said Beecher; "and they have given me a
dressing-room, with a little winding-stair to the river, and a bath in
the natural rock. It is downright luxury, all this."

Davis smiled contentedly as he listened. For days past had he been
busied with these preparations, determined to make the spot appear in
all its most favorable colors. Let us do him justice to own that his
cares met a full success. Flowers abounded in all the rooms; and the
perfumed air, made to seem tremulous by the sounds of falling water,
was inexpressibly calming after the journey. The dinner, too, would
have done honor to a more pretentious "hostel;" and the Steinberger, a
cabinet wine, that the host would not part with except for "love as well
as money," was perfection. Better than all these,--better than the
fresh trout with its gold and azure speckles,--better than the delicate
Rehbraten with its luscious sauce,--better than the red partridges in
their bed of truffles, and a dessert whose grapes rivalled those of
Fontainebleau,--better, I say, than all, was the happy temper of the
hour! Never were three people more disposed for enjoyment. To Lizzy, it
was the oft dreamed-of home, the quiet repose of a spot surrounded
with all the charm of scenery, coming, too, just as the dissipations
of gayety had begun to weary and pall upon her. To Beeeher, it was the
first moment of all his life in which he tasted peace. Here were neither
duns nor bailiffs. It was a Paradise where no writ had ever wandered,
nor the word "outlawry" had ever been uttered. As for Davis, if he had
not actually won his game, he held in his hand the trump card that he
knew must