ella Vista at a
walking pace, as their horses were sweating and it was desirable that
they should be allowed to cool off a little before being stabled.

"Many happy returns of the day, Ned!" exclaimed Nell, with a bright
smile, as I shook hands with her. "You see I have not forgotten that
to-day is your birthday; and--here is my birthday present to you,"
handing me a small parcel neatly tied up in paper.

"I also wish you many happy returns, Ned," remarked Mr Lestrange,
reaching across in front of his daughter to shake hands with me. "I
haven't brought you any present, however, so you must take the will for
the deed and accept Nell's present as coming from us jointly. The young
minx has been working at them like a Trojan for the last fortnight; so,
as a reward for her extraordinary industry, I have allowed her to ride
over and present them herself. They are a pair of Berlin-wool slippers,
made after the pattern of an old one that Nell surreptitiously begged
from your mother when we were last at Bella Vista. And that reminds me
to enquire how they all are at the house. Quite well, I hope?"

"Yes, thank you, all quite well," I replied. "I don't need to ask how
you and Nell are; I can see for myself that there is nothing the matter
with either of you. They will be tremendously glad at home to see you
both; we have not had a single visitor since you last came--how long ago
was it? It must be quite six weeks."

"More than that," answered Mr Lestrange; "it is two months ago to-day
by the almanac. And I believe you've grown since then," he continued,
eyeing me over. "How tall are you? Did you think of measuring yourself
this morning to see how tall you are at seventeen years of age?"

"No," I laughed, "but the pater did; and according to him I stand just
six feet and a quarter of an inch in my stockings."

"Ay, I dare say you do," he said, "although you scarcely look it, you
are so broad across the shoulders. What will you be when you are
twenty-one?"

"I am almost afraid to think of it," I replied, rather ruefully. "I
ride within four pounds of thirteen stone now. If I go on at this rate
until I am twenty-one I shall not be able to find a horse fit to carry
me!"

"You will have to get the colonel to breed one specially for you,"
remarked Lestrange, with a loud laugh. "By the way," he continued,
"talking of horses, I wonder if you happen to have anything that would
do for Nell. Punch there is getting