don't know much about the theatre in the town; but I'll take you there
some day. Would it be a treat to you?'

'O, an amazing treat!' said Miss Johnson, with an ecstasy in which a
close observer might have discovered a tinge of ghastliness.

'You've never been into one perhaps, dear?'

'N--never,' said Matilda flatly. 'Whatever do I see yonder--a row of
white things on the down?'

'Yes, that's a part of the encampment above Overcombe. Lots of soldiers
are encamped about here; those are the white tops of their tents.'

He pointed to a wing of the camp that had become visible. Matilda was
much interested.

'It will make it very lively for us,' he added, 'especially as John is
there.'

She thought so too, and thus they chatted on.

XVII. TWO FAINTING FITS AND A BEWILDERMENT

Meanwhile Miller Loveday was expecting the pair with interest; and about
five o'clock, after repeated outlooks, he saw two specks the size of
caraway seeds on the far line of ridge where the sunlit white of the road
met the blue of the sky. Then the remainder parts of Bob and his lady
became visible, and then the whole vehicle, end on, and he heard the dry
rattle of the wheels on the dusty road. Miller Loveday's plan, as far as
he had formed any, was that Robert and his wife should live with him in
the millhouse until Mrs. Garland made up her mind to join him there; in
which event her present house would be made over to the young couple.
Upon all grounds, he wished to welcome becomingly the woman of his son's
choice, and came forward promptly as they drew up at the door.

'What a lovely place you've got here!' said Miss Johnson, when the miller
had received her from the captain. 'A real stream of water, a real mill-
wheel, and real fowls, and everything!'

'Yes, 'tis real enough,' said Loveday, looking at the river with balanced
sentiments; 'and so you will say when you've lived here a bit as mis'ess,
and had the trouble of claning the furniture.'

At this Miss Johnson looked modest, and continued to do so till Anne, not
knowing they were there, came round the corner of the house, with her
prayer-book in her hand, having just arrived from church. Bob turned and
smiled to her, at which Miss Johnson looked glum. How long she would
have remained in that phase is unknown, for just then her ears were
assailed by a loud bass note from the other side, causing her to jump
round.

'O la! what dreadful thing is it?' she exclaimed