the rear. The child had a horse's tail fastened
to his belt behind, and was Pegasus on Helicon, oblivious of all things
earthly.

They found Bell and Gertrude awaiting them, their cheeks already glowing
from a preliminary tour of the pond. In the distance Willy and Kitty
could be seen tugging each other valiantly along, falling and scrambling
down and up. Bell was looking her best, in her trim suit of brown
velveteen, with the pretty little mink cap. Hildegarde thought her
more like a snow-apple than ever, and hoped Jack saw how pretty and
sweet she was. Air-castles are pleasant building, and our Hildegarde had
one well under way already; a castle whose walls should rise to the
sound of music, and in which two happy people should play, play, play,
all day and every day.

Hildegarde herself, in dark blue corduroy trimmed with chinchilla, was
very good to look at, and more than one pair of eyes followed her as she
swept along in graceful curves, holding Hugh's hands in hers.

"A very lovely young creature, Tom!" said Raymond Ferrers, as he stood a
while, after fastening his skates. "Not so beautiful as her mother. I
find Mildred more beautiful than ever, Tom."

"You were always near-sighted, Raymond, you will allow me to observe!"
cried the Colonel, ruffling instantly. "I admire Mrs. Grahame beyond any
woman--of her age--that lives. She is a noble woman, sir! an admirable
creature! But to say that she compares in looks with a blooming creature
like that,--a princess, by Jove! A young Diana, the very sight of whom
makes a man young again. By the way, Raymond," he added, after a pause,
in an altered voice. "I don't know, my dear fellow, whether you have
noticed any--a--resemblance, any look of--eh?"

"Yes, indeed, my dear Tom; I noticed it instantly. Sweet Hester! This
might be her younger sister. Yes! yes! _Tempo passato_, eh, brother? We
are old fellows, but we once were young."

"Stuff and nonsense!" cried the Colonel, throwing off his mood with
sudden violence. "Speak for yourself, sir! If a man chooses to spend his
days hunched over a table, making fiddles, I don't say how things may
turn out with him; but for myself,--here, Young Sir! bring me a
hockey-stick, will you?"

Hugh, prancing by in full career, paused, and surveyed his guardian with
dreamy eyes.

"Hi-hi-hi!" he replied, with a creditable attempt at a whinny.

The Colonel stiffened to "attention."

"What did I understand you to remark, sir?" he i