ainst the ground in some thicket while British soldiers were
tramping so near I could feel the ground shake. In the room I saw Lady
Hare and Doctor Franklin standing side by side. What a smile he wore
as he looked at me! I have never known a human being who had such a
cheering light in his countenance. I have seen it brighten the darkest
days of the war aided by the light of his words. His faith and good
cheer were immovable. I felt the latter when he said:

"'See the look of alarm in his face. Now for a pretty drama!'

"Mrs. Hare gave me her hand and I kissed it and said that I had
expected to see Margaret and hoped that she was not ill. There was a
thistledown touch on my cheek from behind and turning I saw the
laughing face I sought looking up at me. I tell you, my mother, there
never was such a pair of eyes. Their long, dark lashes and the glow
between them I remember chiefly. The latter was the friendly light of
her spirit To me it was like a candle in the window to guide my feet.
'Come,' it seemed to say. 'Here is a welcome for you.' I saw the pink
in her cheeks, the crimson in her lips, the white of her neck, the glow
of her abundant hair, the shapeliness of brow and nose and chin in that
first glance. I saw the beating of her heart even. I remember there
was a tiny mole on her temple under the edge of that beautiful, golden
crown of hers. It did not escape my eye. I tell you she was fair as
the first violets in Meadowvale on a dewy morning. Of course she was
at her best. It was the last moment in years of waiting in which her
imagination had furnished me with endowments too romantic. I have seen
great moments, as you know, but this is the one I could least afford to
give up. I had long been wondering what I should do when it came. Now
it was come and there was no taking thought of what we should do. That
would seem to have been settled out of court. I kissed her lips and
she kissed mine and for a few moments I think we could have stood in a
half bushel measure. Then the Doctor laughed and gave her Ladyship a
smack on the cheek.

"'I don't know about you, my Lady, but it fills me with the glow of
youth to see such going on,' he remarked. 'I'm only twenty-one and
nobody knows it--nobody suspects it even. These wrinkles and gray hair
are only a mask that covers the heart of a boy.'

"'I confess that such a scene does push me back into my girlhood,' said
Lady Hare. 'Alas! I feel the o