it. A breeze might come in and
disturb some of his papers. He was busy with an enthralling portion of
his work just then; nevertheless, the smart wagonette and nicely
harnessed horses, and the gay sound of young voices, attracted him.

"I could almost believe myself back in the days when I courted my dearly
beloved Alice," he whispered to himself. "I do sincerely trust that
visitors are not beginning to arrive at The Dales; that would be the
final straw."

The carriage, however, did not stop long at the front door. It was
presently seen bowling away down the avenue. Mr. Dale, who still stood
and watched it, observed that it was quite packed with bright-looking
young girls. Blue ribbons streamed on the breeze, and the girls laughed
gaily.

"I am glad those visitors are going," thought the good man, who did not
in the least recognize his own family. "A noisy, vulgar crowd they
seemed. I hope my own girls will never become like that. Thank goodness
they did not stay long! Sophia is a person of discernment; she knows that
I can't possibly receive incidental visitors at The Dales."

He returned to his work and soon was lost to all external things.

Meanwhile the girls had a lovely and exciting drive. Aunt Sophia was in
her most agreeable mood. The children themselves were quite unaccustomed
to carriage exercise. It was a wonderful luxury to lean back on the
softly cushioned seats and dash swiftly under the noble beech-trees and
the giant oaks of the primeval forest. By-and-by they drove up to some
white gates. Verena was desired to get out and open them. The carriage
passed through. She remounted into her seat, and a few minutes later they
all found themselves in a great cobble-stoned yard surrounded by stables
and coach-houses. The melodious cry of a pack of fox-hounds filled the
air. The girls were almost beside themselves with excitement. Presently a
red-faced man appeared, and he and Miss Tredgold had a long and
mysterious talk together. She got out of the wagonette and went with the
man into the stables. Soon out of the stables there issued, led by two
grooms, as perfect a pair of Forest ponies as were ever seen. They were
well groomed and in excellent order, and when they arched their necks and
pawed the ground with their feet, Pauline uttered an irrepressible shout.

"Those ponies are coming to The Dale in a fortnight," said Miss Tredgold.
"Their names are Peas-blossom and Lavender."

"I believe I'll die if muc