s love.

At that moment, however, his train of thought was interrupted by the
vision of a barefooted, ragged little girl hurrying down the street. In
spite of her shabby, mean attire, you could hardly help noticing how
pretty she was, with her rough curly hair falling over her shoulders and
her eyes dancing with laughter; in her hand she carried a brimming pail
of water which dripped on to her little bare feet as she tripped along.
Smiles played over the childish face and rippling sun-beams danced in
her pail. The susceptible Earl of Halifax gazed at this picture with
feelings of delight, but Dame Stavers evidently did not approve of it,
for the Earl heard her say, "Fie for shame, Martha Hilton! How dare you
go about the town half-dressed and looking such a sight!" The little
gypsy maid laughed and replied saucily, "No matter how I look now. One
day you will see me riding in my own chariot, ma'am."

Dame Stavers was too amazed at the audacity of these words to make any
reply, but the Earl of Halifax smiled kindly at the little maid as she
walked on with her heavy burden. When she reached the corner of the
street, she looked back for a moment, then turned and passed out of
sight.

[Illustration]

The Earl of Halifax swung for a while on his sign and pondered. His
attention was next arrested by a magnificent carriage rolling rapidly
by. Outriders in scarlet liveries bestrode the spirited horses, whose
silver harness glittered brightly in the sun. Within the chariot a
dignified gentleman sat in solitary state. He was a stately personage
with powdered hair, wearing a three-cornered hat and a crimson velvet
coat; diamond buckles sparkled at his knees, and in his hand he carried
a gold-headed cane. As the carriage passed the inn, Mistress Stavers
dropped several low curtseys, for this was General Wentworth driving out
to his great house, which stood just outside the town overlooking the
sea.

A stately pile standing near the high road but hidden from it by trees,
the Governor's house was indeed a pleasant abode. Within, it was
magnificent to behold with its oak floors and carved chimney-pieces. All
through the winter immense fires of logs blazed cheerily on the open
hearths, while portraits of dead and gone Wentworths in heavy gilt
frames looked placidly down from the tapestry-covered walls. Beneath the
tapestry were doors which opened unawares and led into mysterious
passages and up queer little flights of stairs.

H