ch is quite
new to me."

"Most certainly I can," he answered. "I think I know every tree in the
wood, and every flower in the valleys; my whole life, so to speak, has
been passed in these localities."

"Then tell me, do you know Randolph Abbey?"

He started with a movement of the most uncontrollable agitation, and
looked at her almost fiercely, as though he suspected the intention of
her words; but her candid gaze disarmed him; he compressed his lips
firmly, which had grown deadly white, and answered composedly: "I do
know it well, most intimately; not only the Abbey, but its inhabitants;
they have been my friends these many years."

"Then you must be mine also," she said gayly; "for I am myself a
Randolph."

"I might have guessed it;" and he looked thoughtfully upon her.

"And you know them all--all the party I am going to meet?--for I was
told I should find so many relations there."

"I think I am acquainted with every one who ever crossed the threshold
of Randolph Abbey," he said with a faint smile; "from old Sir Michael
himself down to the great wolfdog Philax, who guards the outer gate; and
you are his niece, no doubt--the only child of his brother Edward."

"Yes, I am Lilias Randolph; did you know, then, that I was expected?"

"I have not been at the Abbey for some time," he answered, while an
expression of deep pain passed across his face; "but I know that Sir
Michael is collecting round him all his nearest heirs, that he may
choose amongst them one to whom he shall leave the Abbey and estate,
which he has the power of willing away to whom he pleases. I knew that
he sent for you to complete the number."

"Very true, and that alone damps my pleasure in going to see my new
relations, that this visit to my uncle is for such a purpose; however,"
she continued, laughing merrily, "with so many charming cousins as I
believe I have to dispute the prize with me, I think I need not fear
that it will fall to my share."

"Nevertheless, it were a fair possession," he said, turning round, and
pointing to the beautiful shore they were rapidly approaching. "All
those magnificent woods and green luxuriant fields, as far as your eye
can reach, belong to Randolph Abbey."

She looked with some interest on the lands which had been the heritage
of her ancestors; but soon withdrawing her eyes to gaze fixedly at him,
she said with some earnestness: "You seem to know so much more of my
family than I do myself, I should be