of it; and the trumpet-major, who
hardly welcomed his father at such a moment, explained what he knew of
the matter.

'And you will go with your regiment to meet 'en, I suppose?' said old
Loveday.

Young Loveday said that the men of the German Legion were to perform that
duty. And turning half from his father, and half towards Anne, he added,
in a tentative tone, that he thought he might get leave for the night, if
anybody would like to be taken to the top of the Ridgeway over which the
royal party must pass.

Anne, knowing by this time of the budding hope in the gallant dragoon's
mind, and not wishing to encourage it, said, 'I don't want to go.'

The miller looked disappointed as well as John.

'Your mother might like to?'

'Yes, I am going indoors, and I'll ask her if you wish me to,' said she.

She went indoors and rather coldly told her mother of the proposal. Mrs.
Garland, though she had determined not to answer the miller's question on
matrimony just yet, was quite ready for this jaunt, and in spite of Anne
she sailed off at once to the garden to hear more about it. When she re-
entered, she said--

'Anne, I have not seen the King or the King's horses for these many
years; and I am going.'

'Ah, it is well to be you, mother,' said Anne, in an elderly tone.

'Then you won't come with us?' said Mrs. Garland, rather rebuffed.

'I have very different things to think of,' said her daughter with
virtuous emphasis, 'than going to see sights at that time of night.'

Mrs. Garland was sorry, but resolved to adhere to the arrangement. The
night came on; and it having gone abroad that the King would pass by the
road, many of the villagers went out to see the procession. When the two
Lovedays and Mrs. Garland were gone, Anne bolted the door for security,
and sat down to think again on her grave responsibilities in the choice
of a husband, now that her natural guardian could no longer be trusted.

A knock came to the door.

Anne's instinct was at once to be silent, that the comer might think the
family had retired.

The knocking person, however, was not to be easily persuaded. He had in
fact seen rays of light over the top of the shutter, and, unable to get
an answer, went on to the door of the mill, which was still going, the
miller sometimes grinding all night when busy. The grinder accompanied
the stranger to Mrs. Garland's door.

'The daughter is certainly at home, sir,' said the grinder. 'I'll go