ne is singing. It is
pleasant to sleep in the long grass when the nights are summer, and to
hang your cradle in the trees."

She had asked for her own blanket, refusing a rug, when they left St.
Albans, and it had been given to her. She drew it about her now with a
feeling of comfort, and seemed to lose the horrible sense of strangeness
which had almost convulsed her when she was put into the carriage at the
railway station. Her reserve had hidden much of what she really felt;
but the drive through the limes had shown General Armour and his wife
that they had to do with a nature having capacities for sensitive
feeling; which, it is sometimes thought, is only the prerogative of
certain well-bred civilisations.

But it was impossible that they should yet, or for many a day, feel any
sense of kinship with this aboriginal girl. Presently the carriage drew
up to the doorway, which was instantly opened to them. A broad belt
of light streamed out upon the stone steps. Far back in the hall stood
Marion, one hand upon the balustrade of the staircase, the other tightly
held at her side, as if to nerve herself for the meeting. The eyes of
the Indian girl pierced the light, and, as if by a strange instinct,
found those of Marion, even before she left the carriage. Lali felt
vaguely that here was her possible enemy. As she stepped out of the
carriage, General Armour's hand under her elbow to assist her, she drew
her blanket something more closely about her, and so proceeded up
the steps. The composure of the servants was, in the circumstances,
remarkable. It needed to have been, for the courage displayed by Lali's
two new guardians during the day almost faltered at the threshold of
their own home. Any sign of surprise or amusement on the part of the
domestics would have given them some painful moments subsequently. But
all was perfectly decorous. Marion still stood motionless, almost dazed,
The group advanced into the hall, and there paused, as if waiting for
her.

At that moment Richard came out of the study at her right hand, took her
arm, and said quietly: "Come along, Marion. Let us be as brave as our
father and mother."

She gave a hard little gasp and seemed to awake as from a dream. She
quickly glided forwards ahead of him, kissed her mother and father
almost abruptly, then turned to the young wife with a scrutinising
eye. "Marion," said her father, "this is your sister." Marion stood
hesitating, confused.

"Marion, de