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 WYOH HAZEL
 
 PRINTERS TO HER MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICB.
 
 
 ON THE WAY TO CHICK ARF.F. 
 
 WYCH HZEL
 
 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 S. AND A. WARNER, 
 
 AUTHORS OF 
 
 THE GOLD OF CHICKAREE,' 'THE WIDE, WIDE WORLD,' ' QUEECHV,' 
 'DAISY,' ETC. ETC. 
 
 ' Brown as a nut, and sweeter Uimi the kernel.' 
 
 SHAKESPEARE. 
 
 (Efoclftlj fjousan&. 
 
 LONDON: 
 JAMES NISBET & CO., 21 BERNERS STREET. 
 
 MDCCCLXXXIV. 
 
 Copyright.]
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAP. PAOH 
 
 I. PREFATORY, . . . . . 1 
 
 II. THE BEGINNING OP A FAIRY TALK, '.. . 4 
 
 III. THE STAGECOACH, . . . . . 9 
 
 IV. FELLOW TRAVELLERS, . . . 13 
 
 V. THE MOUNTAIN HOUSE, . . .... - , - 25 
 
 VI. SKETCHING, ..... 30- 
 
 VII. SMOKE, . . . . ;: 49 
 
 VIII. THE MILL FLOOR, . . . .... 60 
 
 IX. CATS, . . . ....,*... 70 
 
 X. CHICKAREE, ' . . ... 76 
 
 XI. VIXEN, . . . . ... . ^ . 84 
 
 xii. TEA AT THE DOCTOR'S, . . .-... 90 
 
 XIII. HOLDING COURT, . . . . .106 
 
 XIV. GOSSIP, "..... 115 
 
 XV. ON HORSEBACK, . . . . .126 
 
 XVI. A FISHING PARTY, . . . . .138 
 
 XVII. A LECTURE, ..... 149 
 
 XVIII. WOODCRAFT, . . . .156 
 
 XIX. QUESTIONS, . . , . .170 
 
 XX. BOUQUETS, ...... 181
 
 viii CONTEXTS. 
 
 CHAP. TAGS 
 
 XXI. MOONSHINE, . . . . .192 
 
 XXII. A REPORT, ..... 205 
 
 XXIII. KITTY FISHES, ..... 215 
 
 XXIV. THE LOSS OF ALL THINGS, . . . . 231 
 
 XXV. IN THE GERMAN, .... 240 
 
 XXVI. IN THE EOCKAWAT, . . . .245 
 
 XXVII. THE GERMAN AT OAK HILL, . . .253 
 
 XXVIII. BREAKFAST FOR THKKE, . . 270 
 
 XXIX. JEANNIB DEANS, . .. . . . 278 
 
 XXX THE WILL, . . . .^ . 299 
 
 XXXI. WHOSE WILL? ..... 311 
 
 xxxii. CAPTAIN LANCASTER'S TEAM. . . . 318 
 
 XXXIII. HITS AT CROQUET, .... 330 
 
 XXXIV. FRIENDLY TONGUES, . . . 340 
 
 XXXV. FIGURES AND FAVOURS, .... 350 
 
 XXXVI. THE RUNAWAY, . . . 358 
 
 XXXVII. IN A FOG, . 371 
 
 XXXVIII. DODGING, . . 380 
 
 XXXIX. A COTTON MILL, . . , 887 
 
 XL. SOMETHING NEW, . . . 398 
 
 XLT. A T.ESSON, . 411 
 
 XL1I. STI'IJY, ...... 420
 
 WYOH HAZEL. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 PREFATORT. 
 
 1 We majr shut our eyes, but we cannot help knowing 
 That skies are clear and grass is growing.' 
 
 LOWELL. 
 
 WHEN one has in charge a treasure which one values greatly, 
 and which, if once made known, one is pretty sure to lose, I 
 suppose the impulse of most men would be towards a hiding- 
 place. So, at any rate, felt one of the men in this history. 
 Schools had done their secluding work for a time ; tutors and 
 governors had come and gone under an almost Carthusian vow 
 of silence, except as to their lessons ; and now, with seventeen 
 years of inexperience on his hands, Mr. Falkirk's sensations 
 were those of the man out west, who wanted to move off 
 whenever another man came within twenty miles of him. 
 
 Thus, in the forlorn hope of a retreat, which yet he knew 
 must prove useless, Mr. Falkirk let the first March winds blow 
 him out of town, and at this present time was snugly hid away 
 in a remote village which nobody ever heard of, and where 
 nobody ever came. 
 
 So far so good : Mr. Falkirk rested and took breath. Never- 
 theless the spring came even there ; and, following close in 
 her train, the irrepressible conflict. Whoever succeeded in 
 running away from his duties or his difficulties ? There was 
 a flutter of young life within doors as without, and Mr. 
 Falkirk knew it. There were a hundred rills of music, a 
 A
 
 2 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 thousand nameless flowers, to which he could not close his 
 senses. There was a soft, indefinable stir and sweetness, that 
 told of the breaking of winter bonds and the coming of 
 summer glories ; and he could not stay the progress of things 
 in the one case more than in the other. 
 
 Mr. Falkirk had always taken care of this girl the few 
 years before his guardianship were too dim to look back to 
 much from the day when she, a suddenly orphaned child, 
 stood frightened and alone among strangers, and he came in 
 and took her on his knee, and bade her ' be a woman, and be 
 brave.' That was his ideal of womanhood : to that combina- 
 tion of strength and weakness he had tried to bring Wych 
 Hazel. 
 
 Yet though she had grown up in Mr. Falkirk's company, she 
 never thoroughly understood him : nature and circumstances 
 had made him a reserved man, and her eyes were young. Of 
 a piece with his reserve was the peculiar fence of separation 
 which he built up between all his own concerns and those of 
 his ward. He was poor : she had a more than ample fortune, 
 yet no persuading could make him live with her. Had he 
 been rich, perhaps she might have lived with him ; but as it 
 was, unless when lodgings were the rule, they lived in separate 
 houses ; only his was always close at hand. Even when his 
 ward was a little child, living at Chickaree with her nurses 
 and housekeeper, Mr. Falkirk never spent a night in the house. 
 He formally bought and paid for a tiny cottage on the pre- 
 mises, and there he lived nothing done without his know- 
 ledge, nothing undone without his notice. Not a creature 
 came or went uuperceived by Mr. Falkirk. And yet this 
 supervision was generally pleasant. As he wrought, nothing 
 had the air of espionage merely of care ; and so I think 
 Wych Hazel liked it, and felt all the more free for all sorts of 
 undertakings, secured against consequences. Sometimes, in- 
 deed, his quick insight was so astonishing to the young 
 mischief-maker, that she wa<3 ready to cry out ' Treachery ! ' 
 and the suspected person in this case was always Gotham. 
 Yet when she charged upon Gotham some_ untimely frost which 
 had nipped her budding plans, Gotham always replied
 
 PREFATORY. 3 
 
 4 No, Miss 'Azel. I trust my 'onour is sufficient in this 
 respect.' 
 
 She and Gotham had a singular sort of league defensive 
 of Mr. Falkirk, offensive towards each other. She teased 
 him, and Gotham bore it mastiff-wise, shaking his head and 
 wincing, and when he could bear it no longer, going off. 
 Wych Hazel ? yes, she was that. 
 
 And how did she win her name ? Well, in the first place, 
 ' the nut-browne mayd ' and she were near of kin. But 
 whether her parents, as they looked into the baby's clear dark 
 eyes, saw there anything weird or elfish, or whether the name 
 ' grew,' of that there remains no record. She had been a pretty 
 quiet witch hitherto ; but now 
 
 1 Once git a scent o' musk into a draw', 
 And it clings hold, like precerdents in law '- 
 
 Not even Mr. Falkirk could get it out.
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 THE BEGINNING OF A FAIRY TALE. 
 
 ' J[R. FALKIRK, I must go and seek my fortune ! ' 
 Wych Hazel made this little remark sitting on a low seat by 
 
 the fire, her arms crossed over her lap. 
 ' Wherefore ? ' said her guardian. 
 ' Because I want to, sir. I have no other than a woman's 
 
 ' The most potent of reasons,' said Mr. Falkirk ; ' the rather 
 because, while professing to have no root, it hath yet a dozen. 
 How long ago did Jack show his lantern, my dear ? ' 
 
 ' Lantern ! ' said the girl, rather piqued ; adding, under her 
 breath, ' I'm going to follow, Jack or no Jack ! Why, Mr. 
 Falkirk, I never got interested a bit in a fairy tale till I came 
 to "And so they set out to seek their fortune." It's my 
 belief that I belong in a fairy tale somewhere.' 
 
 ' like enough,' said her guardian shortly. 
 
 * So you see it all fits,' said Wych Hazel, studying her future 
 fortunes in the fire. 
 
 'What fits?' 
 
 ' My going to seek what I am sure to find.' 
 'That will ensure your missing what is coming to find 
 you.' 
 
 ' People in fairy tales never wait to see what will come, sir.' 
 
 * But, my dear, there is a difficulty in this case. Your for- 
 tune is made already.' 
 
 ' Provokingly true, sir. But, after all, Mr. Falkirk, I was 
 not thinking of money.' 
 
 ' A settlement, eh ? ' said Mr. Falkirk. ' My dear, when the 
 prince is ready, the fairy will bring him.'
 
 THE BEGINNING OF A FAIRY TALE. 5 
 
 1 Now, Mr. Falkirk,' said the girl, with her cheeks aglow, 
 ' you know perfectly well I was not thinking of that. 1 
 
 ' Will you please to specify of what you were thinking, Miss 
 Hazel ? ' 
 
 Miss Hazel leaned her head on her hand and reflected. 
 
 ' I don't believe I can, sir. It was a kind of indefinite for- 
 tune a whole windfall of queer adventures, and people, and 
 things.' 
 
 Mr. Falkirk at this turned round from his papers and looked 
 at the girl. It was a pretty vision that he saw, and he re- 
 garded it somewhat steadily, with a little break of the line of 
 the lips that yet was not merriment. 
 
 ' My dear,' said he gravely, ' such birds seldom fly alone in 
 a high wind.' 
 
 ' Well, sir, never mind. Could you be ready by Thursday, 
 Mr. Falkirk?' 
 
 'For what, Miss Hazel?' 
 
 ' Dear me !' said the girl, with a soft breath of impatience. 
 ' To set out, sir. I think I shall go then, and I wanted to 
 know if I am to have the pleasure of your company.' 
 
 * Do I look like a fairy tale?' said Mr. Falkirk. 
 
 He certainly did not. A keen eye for practical realities, a 
 sober good sense that never lost its foothold of common ground, 
 were further unaccompanied by the graces and charms where- 
 with fairy tales delight to deck their favourites. Besides 
 which, Mr. Falkirk probably knew what his fortune was already, 
 for the grey was abundantly mingled with the brown in his 
 eyebrows and hair. However, to do Miss Hazel's guardian 
 justice, if his face was not gracious, it was at least in some re- 
 spects fine. A man always to be respected, easily to be loved, 
 sat there at the table at his papers. 
 
 As for the little * nut-browne mayd ' who studied destiny in 
 the fire, she merely glanced up at him in answer to this appeal ; 
 and with a shake of the head, as if fairy tales and he were 
 indeed hopelessly disconnected, returned to her musings. Then 
 suddenly burst forth 
 
 ' I am so puzzled about the colour of my new travelling dress ! 
 " Contrasts " and " harmonies," and all that stuff, belong to
 
 6 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 the pink and white people. But pink and brown ! Mr. Falkirk, 
 do you suppose I can find anything browner than myself, that 
 will set me off, and do ? I can't travel in gold colour.' 
 
 ' You want to have as much as possible the effect of a picture 
 in a frame? 1 
 
 'Not at all, sir. That is just what I want to avoid. The 
 dress should be a part of the picture.' 
 
 'I don't doubt it will be!' said Mr. Falkirk, sighing. 
 4 Before you set out, my dear, had you not better invest your 
 property, BO that you could live upon the gathered interest if 
 the capital should fail? ' 
 
 4 I thought it was invested ! ' said the girl, looking up. 
 
 ' Only a part of it,' replied Mr. Falkirk. ' Nothing but your 
 money.' 
 
 'Nothing but! ' said Wych Hazel ' Why, what more have I, 
 Mr. Falkirk?' 
 
 'A young life,' said her guardian, 'a young and warm heart, 
 good looks, an excellent constitution, a head and hands that 
 might do much ; to which I might add, an imagination.' 
 
 ' My dear Mr. Falkirk,' said the girl laughing, ' I shall want 
 them all to pay my travelling expenses, all but the last, and 
 that is invested already, to judge by the interest.' 
 
 He smiled a shaded smile, such as he often wore when she 
 danced away from his grave suggestions. He never pursued 
 her. But when she added 
 
 4 After all, sir, investments are your affair,' 
 
 4 My dear,' he said, ' a woman's jewels are in her own keep- 
 ing unless, indeed, God keep them. Yet let her remember 
 that they are not hers to have and to hold, but to have and to 
 use a mere life interest nor always that.' 
 
 And then for awhile silence fell. 
 
 4 Will you think me t-cry extravagant if I get a new travelling 
 dress, sir?' the girl began again. 
 
 4 1 have not usually been the guardian of your wardrobe, 
 Miss Hazel.' 
 
 4 No, sir, of course ; but I wanted your opinion. You gave 
 one about my jewels. And, by the way, Mr. Falkirk, won't you 
 just tell me the list over again ? '
 
 THE BEGINNING OF A FAIRY TALE. 7 
 
 Mr. Falkirk turned round and bent his brows upon Wych 
 Hazel now, but without speaking. 
 
 ' Well, sir,' she repeated, looking up at him, ' what are 
 they, if you please ? ' 
 
 4 Two brilliants of the first water,' replied Mr. Falkirk, look- 
 ing down into her eyes. ' To which some people add, two fine 
 bits of sardius.' 
 
 4 And which some people say are set in bronze,' said the 
 young lady, but with a pretty little laugh and flush. 
 
 ' Where do you propose the search should begin ? ' said the 
 gentleman, disregarding this display. 
 
 ' At Chickaree, sir. I should go down there at once, and so 
 start from home in proper style.' 
 
 4 And your plan of operations ? ' 
 
 1 Perfectly simple, sir. Of two roads I should always take 
 the most difficult, and BO on ad infinitum* 
 
 Perfectly simple, indeed,' said Mr. Falkirk. 'Yet it 
 might lead to a complication. I'm afraid it would prove a 
 Western line of travel, my dear end in a squirrel track, and 
 run up a tree.' 
 
 4 What a lookout we shall have ! ' said Wych Hazel. * But 
 about the dress, Mr. Falkirk. You know my last one is quite 
 new, and I do so want another.' 
 
 ' Then get it,' he said, with a smile. * Though I am afraid, 
 my dear, it is hardly in keeping. Quickear began the search 
 in rags, and Cinderella in ashes, and the " Fair one with the 
 golden locks " had, I think, no other adornment. Puss in 
 boots was indeed new rigged, but Puss was only a deputy. 
 What do you say to sending me forth in boots, to seek a fortune 
 for you?' 
 
 An irrepressible laugh rippled forth at that sweet and sound, 
 and oh, so heart-whole ! 
 
 4 Let me see,' she said, * to-day is Monday. To-morrow 
 I will get the dress, and distract my dressmaker. And next 
 Monday we will set out, and take Chickaree for our first 
 stage. My dear Mr. Falkirk, most potent, grave, and reverend 
 sir, if you sally forth as Puss in boots, of course / shall at once 
 turn into the Marquis of Carabas, which would not suit your
 
 8 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 notions at all. Confess ! ' she added, locking both hands round 
 his arm, and flashing the brilliants before his eyes. 
 
 ' Next Monday we will take the first stage for Chickaree,' 
 said Mr. Falkirk in an unmoved manner. ' How many servants 
 in your train, Miss Hazel ? ' 
 
 * None, sir. Mrs. Bywank is there already ; and Mrs. Saddler 
 can " forward " me " with care." I'll pick up a new maid by 
 the way. 1 
 
 'Will you pick up a page, too, or does Dingee keep his 
 
 ' If he can be said to have one. Oh, Dingee, of course ! ' 
 4 AVych Hazel,' said Mr. Falkirk from under his brows, 
 ' what is your plan if you are capable of such a thing ?' 
 
 ' My plan is to unfold my capabilities, sir, for your express 
 benefit, Mr. Falkirk. We will beat the bush in every direction, 
 and run down any game that offers. 1 
 
 Mr. Falkirk turned his chair half away, and looked into the 
 fire. Then slowly, but with every effect of expression, he re- 
 peated 
 
 1 A creature bounced from the bush, 
 Which made them all to laugh ; 
 " My lord," he cried, " a hare ! a hare ! r 
 
 But it proved an Essex calf.' 
 
 ' Yes,' said Wych Hazel, with excellent coolness ; ' men do 
 make such little mistakes occasionally ; but this time I shall 
 be along. Good night, sir.'
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 THE STAGECOACH. 
 
 Miss HAZEL! Dear Miss Hazel ! Dear me, Miss Hazel! 
 here's the morning, ma'am, and Gotham, and Mr. Falkirk ! ' 
 
 So far the young eyes unclosed as to see that they could see 
 nothing unless the flame of a wind-tossed candle ; then with 
 a disapproving frown they closed again. 
 
 ' But, Miss Hazel ! ' remonstrated Mrs. Saddler. 
 
 ' Well ? ' said Wych Hazel, with closed eyes. 
 
 ' Mr. Falkirk's dressed, ma'am.' 
 
 'What is it to me if Mr. Falkirk chooses to get up over 
 night?' 
 
 ' But the stage, ma'am ! ' 
 
 ' The stage can wait.' 
 
 4 The stage won't, Miss Hazel,' said Mrs. Saddler earnestly ; 
 ' and Gotham says it's only a question of time whether we can 
 catch it now.' 
 
 Something in these last words had an arousiag power, for 
 the girl laughed out. 
 
 ' Mrs. Saddler, how can one wake up with the certainty of 
 seeing a tallow candle ? ' 
 
 ' Dear me,' said Mrs. Saddler, hurrying to light two tall 
 sperms, ' if thafs all, Miss Hazel ' 
 
 ' That is not all What's the matter with Mr. Falkirk this 
 morning ? ' 
 
 4 Why, nothing, ma'am ; only he said you wanted to take the 
 first stage for Chickaree.' 
 
 ' Which I didn't, and don't.' 
 
 ' And Gotham says,' pursued Mrs. Saddler, ' that if it is the 
 first, ma'am, we'll save a day and get to Chickaree on Thursday.'
 
 10 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 Whereupon Wych Hazel sprang at once into a state of physical 
 and mental action which nearly blew Mrs. Saddler away. 
 
 ' Look,' she said, tossing the curls over her comb, ' there's 
 my new travelling dress on the chair.' 
 
 * Another new travelling dress !' said Mrs. Saddler, with up- 
 raised hands. 
 
 ' And the hat ribands match,' said Wych Hazel, ' and the 
 gloves ; and the veil is a shade lighter. Everything matches 
 everything, and everything matches me. You never saw my 
 match before, did you, Mrs. Saddler ?' 
 
 ' Dear me, Miss Hazel !' said the good woman again. ' You 
 do talk BO wonderful !' 
 
 It was splendid to see her look of dismay and amusement 
 and admiration all in one, and to catch a glimpse of the other 
 face fun and mischief and beauty, all in one too! To put 
 on the new dress, to fit on the new gloves Wych Hazel went 
 down to Mr. Falkirk in admirable spirits. 
 
 Mr. Falkirk looked gloomy, as indeed anything might in 
 that hall, with the front door standing open, and one lamp 
 burning till day should come, and the chill air streaming in. 
 Mr. Falkirk paced up and down with the air of a man prepared 
 for the worst. He shook Wych Hazel grimly by the hand, and 
 she laughed out 
 
 * How charming it is, sir ! But where's breakfast ?' 
 
 ' Breakfast, Miss Hazel,' said her guardian solemnly, ' is 
 never, so far as I can learn, taken by people setting out to seek 
 their fortune. It is generally supposed that such people rarely 
 have breakfast at all.' 
 
 4 Very well, sir, I am ready ;' and in another minute they 
 were on their way, passing through the street of the little 
 village, and then out on the open road, until after a half -hour's 
 drive they entered another small settlement, and drew up 
 before its chief inn. Bustle enough here lamps in the hall 
 and on the steps, lamps in the parlours, lamps running up and 
 down the yards and road, and dimly disclosing the outlines of 
 a thoroughbred stagecoach and four horses, with the various 
 figures pertaining thereto. Steadily the dawn came creeping 
 up ; the morning air, raw and damp, floated off the horses'
 
 THE STAGECOACH. 1 1 
 
 tails, and flickered the lights, and even handled Wych Hazel's 
 uew veil. I think nothing but the new travelling dress kept 
 her from shivering as they went up the inn steps. People 
 seeking their fortunes may at least want their breakfast. 
 
 But Mr. Falkirk was perverse. As they entered the hall, a 
 waiter threw open the door into the long breakfast room, 
 delicious with its fire and lights and coffee (neither did the 
 voices sound ill) ; but Mr. Falkirk stopped short 
 
 'Is that the only fire you've got? I want breakfast in a 
 private room.' 
 
 Now Mr. Falkirk's tone was sometimes one that nobody 
 would think of answering in words. Of course the waiter could 
 do nothing but wheel about and open another door next to the 
 first. 
 
 4 Ah !' Mr. Falkirk said, with immense satisfaction, as they 
 stepped in. 
 
 * Ah !' repeated his ward rather mockingly. ' Mr. Falkirk, 
 this room is cold.' 
 
 Mr. Falkirk took the poker and gave the fire such a punch 
 that it must have blazed uninterruptedly for half a day after. 
 
 ' Cold, my dear ?' he said beamingly. ' No one can be cold 
 long before such a fire as that ; and breakfast will be here in 
 a moment. If it comes before I get back, my dear, don't wait 
 for me. How well your dress looks !' 
 
 ' And I, Mr. Falkirk?' said Wych Hazel. 
 
 ' Why, that's a matter of taste, my dear, of course. Some 
 people, you know, are partial to black eyes which yours are 
 not. Others, again ah, here is breakfast ! Now, my dear, 
 eat as much as you can ; you know we may not have any 
 breakfast to-morrow. On a search after fortune, you never 
 can tell.' 
 
 And, helping her to an extraordinary quantity of everything 
 on the tray, Mr. Falkirk at once went off, and left her to 
 dispose of it all alone. And of course he went straight into 
 the next room. Didn't she know he would? and didn't she 
 hear the duo that greeted him ? ' What, Mr. Falkirk 1' * Sir, 
 your most obedient !' and her guardian's double reply, ' Back 
 again, eh ?' and ' Your most obedient, Mr. Kingsland.' Wycb
 
 12 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 Hazel felt provoked enough not to eat another mouthful. Then 
 up came the stage, rumbling along to the front door ; and as it 
 came, in rushed Mr. Falkirk, poured out a cup of scalding 
 coffee, and swallowed it without a moment's hesitation. 
 
 ' Coach, sir !' said the waiter, opening the door. 
 
 ' Coach, my dear !' repeated her guardian, taking her arm, 
 and whisking her down the hall and into the stage before the 
 passengers in the long room could have laid down their knives. 
 
 ' What is the use of being in such a hurry, Mr. Falkirk ?' she 
 said at last, much tried at being tossed gently into the stage 
 like a brown parcel (which to be sure she was, but that made 
 no difference). 
 
 ' My dear,' said Mr. Falkirk solemnly, ' " There is a tide in 
 the affairs of men, which, taken at the flood, leads on to 
 fortune." ' 
 
 And with that he drew off his glove, leaned back, and passed 
 his hand over his brow with the air of a man who had in some 
 shape achieved success. 
 
 By this time the stream of passengers began to pour forth ; 
 and the coach creaked and swung to and fro, as trunk after 
 trunk, and man after man, found their way up to the roof. 
 Then the door was flung open, and other passengers tumbled in, 
 the lantern flashing dimly upon their faces and coats. Three 
 and three more and another, but his progress is stayed. 
 
 ' Not in here, sir,' says Mr. Falkirk politely ; ' I have paid 
 for three seats.' 
 
 ' There ain't another seat,' says the driver, ' and he ain't a big 
 man, sir. Guess may be you'd let him have a corner ; we'll 
 make it all right, sir.' He had a corner, and so did our 
 heroine ! The new dress ! Never mind ; the sooner this went, 
 the sooner she would get another. And they roll off, sweetly 
 and silently, along the country road. The morning was lovely. 
 Light scarfs of fog floated about the mountain tops, light veils 
 of cloud just mystified the sky ; the tree-tops glittered with 
 dew, the birds flew in and out ; and through an open corner of 
 her leathern curtain Wych Hazel peered out, gazing at the 
 new world wherein she was going to seek her fortune. 
 
 ' Spend the summer at Chickaree, Mr. Falkirk ?' said a voice
 
 THE STAGECOACH. 13 
 
 from the further end of the coach. Wych Hazel drew in her 
 head and her attention, and sat back to listen. 
 
 ' I did not say I was going there,' said her guardian dryly. 
 
 ' Two and two make four, my good sir. There's not even a 
 sign of a place of entertainment between Stone Bridge and 
 Crocus, and Stone Bridge you have confessed to.' 
 
 ' You consider places of entertainment among the essentials, 
 then ?' 
 
 ' Why, in some cases,' said the gentleman, with a suspicious 
 glance at "Wych Hazel's brown veil. 
 
 ' How long is it since you were there, Mr. Falkirk ?' in- 
 quired Mr. Kingsland's next neighbour. 
 
 This speaker was a younger man than Mr. Kingsland ; and 
 whereas that gentleman was a dandy, this one's dress was just 
 one remove from that, and therefore faultless. About his face, 
 so far off as the other end of the stage, there seemed nothing 
 remarkable. It was grave, rather concise in its indications ; 
 but the voice prepared you for -what the smile declared a 
 nature joyous and unembittered, a spirit pure and honest and 
 keen. Even Wych Hazel's guardian softened at his look. 
 
 ' Pray, Mr. Falkirk,' said the other stranger, ' what is sup- 
 posed to be the origin of the word " veil "? ' 
 
 ' I never heard,' said Mr. Falkirk dryly. ' Lost in the early 
 records of civilisation.' 
 
 ' My dear sir, of barbarism !' 
 
 ' Civilisation has never entirely got rid of barbarism, T 
 believe,' said Mr. Falkirk between his teeth; then out, 'By 
 what road are you going, Hollo ?' 
 
 4 1 should be happy to act as guide, sir. I leave the direct 
 route.' 
 
 ' Mr. Falkirk,' said Wych Hazel, ' just put your head a little 
 this way, and see the veil of mist thrown over the top of that 
 hill.' 
 
 Mr. Falkirk looked hastily, and resumed ' You have lately 
 returned, I hear, from your long foreign stay ?' 
 
 ' It was time.' 
 
 ' Mr. Falkirk,' said his ward, ' do you consider that a rem- 
 nant of the dark ages ?'
 
 14 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 ' It keeps its place too gracefully for that,' said her guardian, 
 dropping his voice, as he looked across Wych Hazel out of the 
 coach window. 
 
 'Mr. Falkirk' (soo voce), 'you are charming! Between 
 ourselves, this is a hard place to keep gracefully. Please take 
 out your watch, sir.' 
 
 Which Mr. Falkirk did, and silently shewed it. Forth to 
 meet his came a little gold hunting watch from behind the 
 brown veil. 
 
 ' Fou are a minute slow, sir, as usual.' Then very softly 
 'Mr. Falkirk, what with being pressed and repressed, I am 
 dying by quarter inches. Just introduce me for your grand- 
 mother, will you, and I'll matronize the party.' 
 
 A request Mr. Falkirk complied with, by entering forthwith 
 into a long business discussion with another occupant of the 
 stagecoach, also known to him, in which stocks, commercial 
 regulations, political enterprises, and the relative bearings of 
 the same, precluded all reference to anything else whatever. 
 Nobody's grandmother could have had less (visible) attention 
 than Miss Hazel, up to the time when the coach rolled to the 
 door of a wayside inn, and the party got out to a luncheon, or 
 early dinner, as some of them would have called it Then 
 indeed she had enough. Mr. Falkirk handed her out and 
 handed her in straight to the gay-carpeted ' Ladies' room ' 
 shut the door carefully, and asked her what she would have. 
 No other lady was there to dispute possession. 
 
 ' Only a broiled chicken, sir and a souffle and potatoes a 
 la creme au grating said Miss Hazel, throwing off her bonnet, 
 and curling erself down on the arm of the sofa. ' Mr. 
 Falkirk, all my previous acquaintance with cushions was super- 
 ficial. And could you just open the window, sir, and throw back 
 the blinds? Last November is in this room, apples and all.' 
 
 Mr. Falkirk obeyed directions, remarking that people who 
 travel in search of their fortune must expect to meet with 
 November in unexpected places; then went off into the 
 general eating- room. And by and by, from there or some other 
 unsalubrious region, came a servant, with half of an imperfectly 
 broiled fowl and a muddy dish of coffee, flanked by a plate of
 
 THE STAGECOACH. 15 
 
 watery pickled cucumbers. Mr. Falkirk himself presently 
 returned. 
 
 How does it go ? ' he said. 
 
 ' What, Mr. Falkirk ? ' The young lady was curled down in 
 one corner of the sofa, much like a kitten, a small specimen 
 of which animal purred complacently on her shoulder. 
 
 * Could you eat, Miss Hazel ? ' 
 
 ' Truly, sir, I could. Mr. Falkirk, what a lovely kitten ! 
 Do you remark her length of tail ? ' 
 
 Mr. Falkirk thought he had heard of ' Puss in boots ' before, 
 but never had the full realization thereof till now. 
 
 'You have tasted nothing,' he said. 'What shall I get 
 you ? We shall be off in a few minutes, and you will not have 
 another chance till we reach Haydn's Dam.' 
 
 ' Thank you, sir. A few minutes of undisturbed repose, 
 with the removal of those cucumbers, and the restoration of 
 that chicken to its other, and I hope, better half, is all that I 
 require.' 
 
 ' You will have rest at Haydn's Dam,' said Mr. Falkirk, with 
 a face more expressive than his words. ' The bridge there is 
 broken.' 
 
 ' Queer place to rest, sir ! Mr. Falkirk, there's Mr. Kings- 
 land wondering why you keep me here.' 
 
 ' He's eating his dinner.' 
 
 'Is he? I am afraid there will be crumbs in the piazza,' 
 said Wych Hazel, closing her eyes. ' He says he don't wonder 
 you are kept.' 
 
 ' What shall I get you, Wych ? You cannot go from here to 
 the next stopping place without anything,' Mr* Falkirk said 
 kindly. 
 
 ' If you could find me, sir, a basket that would just hold this 
 kitten ' 
 
 Mr. Fulkirk wasted no more words, but went off, and came 
 back with a glass of milk and a plate of doubtful ' chunks ' of 
 cake. The room was empty. Bonnet and veil were gone, and 
 even the kitten had disappeared. Meanwhile the stagecoach 
 rattled and swung up to the piazza steps, where were presently 
 gathered the various travellers, one by one.
 
 16 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 ' Mr. Falkirk,' said Mr. KiDgsland, as that gentleman came 
 out rather hastily to see if his charge might be there too, ' you 
 are not surely a going on alone ? ' 
 
 Back went Mr. Falkirk into the house again to look for his 
 missing ward, who had plainly been foraging. On the table 
 was a paper of crackers; two blue-eyed and blue-aproned 
 youngsters stood watching every motion as she swallowed the 
 glass of milk, and in her hand was a suspicious-looking basket. 
 Wych Hazel set down her empty tumbler. 
 
 ' My dear Mr. Falkirk, I was beginning to be concerned 
 about you ! ' 
 
 4 What are you going to do with that basket, Miss Hazel? ' 
 
 ' Take it along, sir.' 
 
 ' On your lap, I suppose ? ' 
 
 ' Mr. Falkirk, the accuracy of your judgment is unparalleled. 
 Is that our coach at the door? ' 
 
 ' My dear, you will find plenty of cats at Chickaree, 1 said 
 her guardian, looking annoyed. 
 
 4 Yes, sir,' said the young lady meekly, dropping her veil 
 and fitting on her gloves. 
 
 ' All right, sir,' said the landlord, appearing at the door. 
 ' Roughish road, Mr. Falkirk, and t'other gents not enough 
 patience to divide among 'em and go half round ' 
 
 How much patience Mr. Falkirk carried to the general stock 
 does not appear. But presently, lifting one corner of her 
 basket lid, Wych Hazel drew forth a radiant spray of roses, 
 and laid them penitently upon the averted line of her guardian's 
 coat-sleeve. 
 
 4 Where did you get that ? ' he said. 4 You had better put it 
 in the basket, my dear ; it will stand a better chance to keep 
 fresh.' 
 
 4 Do you prefer pinks, sir ? or here are bachelor's buttons ? ' 
 
 4 They seem rather common things to me,' said Mr. Falkirk 
 slowly, yet with a somewhat pacified brow. There was no 
 kitten in the basket ! 
 
 4 1 hadn't the heart to bring puss, as we were going to Cats- 
 kill,' whispered Miss Hazel. 
 
 4 We 1 ' ejaculated Mr. Falkirk.
 
 THE STAGECOACH. 17 
 
 ' Nominative case, first person plural, sir.' 
 
 ' And what's the definition of an adverb ? ' 
 
 ' Something which qualifies your suffering n'est ce pas, Mr. 
 Falkirk ? ' 
 
 ' Certainly, by its primary action upon your doing, Miss 
 Hazel. "We are going to Chickaree.' 
 
 To which statement Miss Hazel for the present made no 
 reply. She retreated to the depths of her own corner and the 
 brown veil, fingering her roses now and then, and (apparently) 
 making endless mental ' studies ' of the wayside. The coach 
 jogged lumberingly on : there was no relief to the tiresomeness 
 of the way. It was a long morning. Dusty and weary, the 
 coach-load was set down at last at another country inn, by the 
 side of a little river which had well filled its banks. The 
 travellers were not, it must be noted, upon any of the great 
 highways of passage, but had taken a cut across country, over 
 some of the spurs of the Catskill, where a railroad was not. 
 Mr. Falkirk brought his charge into the ' Ladies' parlour,' and 
 spoke in a tone of irritated business. 
 
 ' This is Haydn's Dam. You can have rest and dinner now.'
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 FELLOW TRAVELLERS. 
 
 * DINNER, and the rest of it,' translated Miss Hazel ' Will it 
 be needful to make a grande toilette, sir ? or shall I go to the 
 table as I am ? If one may judge of the selectness of the com- 
 pany by their conversation ' 
 
 ' You'll see no more of the company,' said Mr. Falkirk ; 
 ' they are going another way, and we have to wait here. The 
 bridge will be repaired to-morrow, I suppose.' 
 
 ' Yes, sir. We don't dine upon the bridge, I presume? ' 
 
 Mr. Falkirk -went off, making sure that the door latched 
 behind him. In a quarter of an hour he came back, with an 
 attendant bearing a tray. 
 
 ' At present fortune gives us nothing more remarkable than 
 fried ham,' he said, 'and that not of the most eatable, I 
 fear. She is a jade. But we'll get away to-morrow. I hope 
 so.' 
 
 ' My dear sir,' said Wych Hazel, with a radiant face, ' we 
 will get away to-night. I find that- the bridge is not on our 
 road, after all. So I said it was not worth while to get a room 
 ready for me, and the baggage might be just transferred.' 
 
 4 To what?' 
 
 ' To the other stage, sir. Or, indeed, I believe it is some 
 sort of a baggage waggon, as the roads are heavy, not to speak 
 of the passengers. It has gone on up the mountain.' 
 
 ' What has ? ' exclaimed Mr. Falkirk, whose face was a 
 study. 
 
 ' The waggon,' said Miss Hazel, seating herself by the table. 
 ' More particularly, your one trunk and my six, sir.' 
 
 ' Where has it gone ? ' 
 
 18
 
 FELLOW TRAVELLERS. 19 
 
 ' Up the mountain, sir. They were afraid of making the 
 etage topheavy, the weight of intellect inside being small.' 
 
 4 Do you mean to Catskill ? ' 
 
 4 Yes, sir. Poor little puss ! Does the vegetation hereabouts 
 support nothing but pigs ? ' said Miss Hazel, with a despairing 
 glance from the dish of ham to a yellow-haired lassie in a blue 
 gown, who just then brought in a pitcher of water. Mr. 
 Falkirk waited till the damsel had withdrawn, and went to 
 the window and came back again before he spoke. 
 
 ' You should have consulted me, Miss Hazel. You are be- 
 wildered. It is not a good time to go up the mountain now.' 
 
 ' Bewildered? I ! ' was Miss Hazel's only answer. 
 
 4 Yes. You don't know what is good for you. I shall send 
 for these trunks, Wych.' 
 
 4 Quite useless, sir. There is nothing else going up to the 
 Mountain House till we go ourselves. We will go for them : 
 there is nothing like doing your own business.' 
 
 ' You will find that out one day,' muttered her guardian. 
 
 4 Seeking my fortune, and wait for the mending of a bridge ! ' 
 Hazel went on. 4 And then I said I was going to Catskill ; 
 and then you're the best guardian in the world, Mr. Falkirk, 
 so it's no use looking as if you were somebody else.' 
 
 4 1 shall be somebody else directly,' said Mr. Falkirk in a 
 cynical manner. ' But eat your dinner, Miss Hazel ; you will 
 not have much time.' A meal for which he did not seem to 
 care himself, for there was no perceivable time when he 
 took it. 
 
 The stagecoach into which the party presently stowed them- 
 selves held now but those four Mr. Falkirk and his ward, and 
 two gentlemen who had declared themselves on the way to the 
 mountain. The former established themselves somewhat taci- 
 turnly in the several corners of the back seat, and so made the 
 journey, that is to say, as much as possible, for Mr. Falkirk, 
 being known to the others, could not avoid now and then being 
 drawn into communication with them. One, indeed Mr. 
 Kingsland made many and divers overtures to that effect. His 
 elegance of person and costume was advantageously displayed 
 in an opposite corner, from whence he distributed civilities as
 
 20 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 occasion offered. His book and his magazine were placed at 
 the brown veil's disposal ; he stopped the ooach to buy cherries 
 from a wayside farm, which cherries were in like manner laid 
 at Wych Hazel's feet ; and his observations on the topics that 
 were available, demonstrated all his stores of wit and wisdom 
 equally at hand and ready for use. But brown veil would none 
 of them all. The daintiest of hands took two cherries and 
 signed away the rest ; the sweetest of girl voices declined the 
 magazine, or gave it over to Mr. Falkirk. If the eyes burned 
 brown lights (instead of blue) in their seclusion, if the voice 
 just didn't break with fun, perhaps only Mr. Falkirk found it 
 out, and he by virtue of previous knowledge. But in fact 
 Miss Hazel gave the keenest attention to everybody and every- 
 thing. 
 
 A contrast to Mr. Kingsland was their other fellow-traveller. 
 Mr. Eollo, occupying the place in front of Mr. Falkirk, made 
 himself as much as possible at ease on the middle seat, with 
 his back upon the persons who engaged Mr. Kingsland's atten- 
 tion ; but he did not thereby escape theirs. When a society is 
 so small, the members of it almost of necessity take note of one 
 another. The little brown- veiled figure could not help noticing 
 what a master he was in the art of making himself comfortable ; 
 how skilfully shawls were disposed ; how easily hand and foot, 
 back and head, took the best position for jolting up the hill. 
 It amused her as something new ; for Mr. Falkirk belonged to 
 that type of manhood which rather delights in being uncom- 
 fortable whenever circumstances permit, and other men she 
 had seen few. Mr. Hollo had a book too, which he did not 
 offer to lend ; and he gave his lazy attention to nothing else, 
 unless when a bright glance of eye went over to Mr. Kingsland. 
 He was as patient as any of the party as truly he had good 
 reason, being by several degrees the most comfortable. But 
 Mr. Falkirk moved now and then unrestingly, and the back 
 seat was hot and cramped; and Wych found the jolts and 
 heavings of the coach-springs a thing to be borne. And that 
 swinging and swaying middle seat, with its one occupant, came 
 so close upon her premises, that she dared not adventure the 
 least thing, even to Mr. Falkirk. If the momentary relief of
 
 FELLOW TRAVELLERS. 21 
 
 turning that grey travelling shawl into a pincushion occurred 
 to her, nothing came of it ; the thick folds were untouched by 
 one of her little fingers. She put her face as nearly out of the 
 coach as she could, and perhaps enjoyed the scenery, if any one 
 did. Mr. Falkirk gave no sign of enjoyment, mental or 
 physical ; and Mr. Kingsland would certainly have been asleep, 
 but for losing sight of the brown veil and of possible some- 
 thing it might do. Yet now and then there were fine reaches 
 for the eye, beautiful knolly indications of a change of surface, 
 which gave picturesque lights and shades on their soft green. 
 Or a lonely valley, with smooth fields and labourers at work, 
 tufty clumps of vegetation, and a line of soft willows by a 
 watercourse, varied the picture. Then the ascent began in 
 good earnest, and trees shut it in, and there was everywhere 
 the wild leafy smell of the woods. Night began to shut it in 
 too, for the sun was early hidden from the travellers. The gloom 
 or the fatigue of the way gathered inside the coach as well, on 
 all except the occupant of the middle seat. Some time before 
 this his ease-seeking had displayed itself in a new way ; and, 
 letting himself out of the coach door, he had kept up a progress 
 of his own by the side of the vehicle, which quite distanced its 
 slow and toilsome method of advance. For Eollo was not only 
 getting on with a light step up the road, but making acquaint- 
 ance with every foot of it, gathering flowers, pocketing 
 stones, and finding time to fling others, which rebounded with 
 a rackety hop, skip, and jump, down the side of the deep 
 ravine on the edge of which the way was coasting. Then, mak- 
 ing up for his delay by a mode of locomotion which seemed to 
 speak him kindred to the squirrels, he swung himself over 
 difficult places by the help of hanging branches of trees, and 
 bounded from rock to rock, till he was again far ahead of the 
 horses, and of the road too, lost out of sight in another direc- 
 tion. Now and then a few rich notes of a German air came 
 down, or up, to the coach tantalizingly. Certainly Mr. Rollo 
 was enjoying himseM; and it was made more indubitably 
 certain to the poor jjlodders along inside the coach, by the 
 faint fumes of an excellent cigar which ' whiles ' made them- 
 selves perceptible
 
 22 WYOH HAZEL. 
 
 Now, to say the truth, it was all tantalizing to Wych Hazel. 
 In the first place, she was, as she had said, ' cramped to death,' 
 physically and mentally, both parts of her composition just 
 spoiling for a fight; and whereas she had hitherto kept her 
 face well out of the window, now she drew it resolutely within, 
 for with somebody to look at, it did not suit Miss Hazel's ideas 
 to be looking. She could not teaze Mr. Falkirk, who had gone 
 to sleep ; Mr. Kingsland was absolutely beyond reach, except of 
 rather thorny wishes ; and when at length the dilettante cigar 
 perfumes began to assert themselves, Wych Hazel flung the rest 
 of her patience straight out of the window, and looked after it. 
 The coach was stopping just then by another wayside inn, to 
 exchange mail-bags and water the horses ; and, favoured by the 
 gathering dusk, a sharp business transaction at once went into 
 effect between the young lady within and some one without, 
 whereof nothing at first transpired. Mr. Kingsland knew only 
 that on one side the tones might rival a mountain brook for 
 their soft impetuosity. There was ' a show of hands,' too, and 
 then the coach jolted on, and Mr. Falkirk woke up ; but not 
 till the tired horses had gone down one pitch and up another, 
 did he hear a faint little ' mew ' which raised its voice at his 
 elbow. 
 
 ' What have you got there? ' he said hastily. 
 
 ' A pair of whiskers, sir.' 
 
 ' Where did you get that thing?' was the next demand, 
 made with considerable disgust. 
 
 ' Really, sir, whiskers not being contraband ' 
 
 Mr. Falkirk was a patient man at least Wych Hazel gene- 
 rally found him so ; and at present he merely fell back into his 
 corner, without making his thoughts any further apparent than 
 the gesture made them. He offered no remark, not even when 
 the dismayed condition of the whiskers aforesaid suggested 
 sundry earnest and energetic efforts at escape, with demonstra- 
 tions that called up Miss Hazel from the quietude of her corner 
 to be earnest and active in her turn. Frightened, not sure of 
 the kind intentions of the little hands that kept such firm hold, 
 the kitten struggled and growled, and at last sent forth its 
 feelings in a series of mews, sostenuto and alto, to an alarming
 
 FELLOW TRAVELLERS. 23 
 
 degree. Mr. Kiugsland smiled then coughed ; and Wych 
 Hazel's laugh broke forth in a low but very defined 'Ha! ha!' 
 
 4 Mr. Falkirk,' she said, ' please open your heart and give me 
 a biscuit.' 
 
 ' Mr. Falkirk,' cried a cheerful voice, rather low, from the 
 other side of the road, ' what have you got on board ? ' 
 
 If Mr. Falkirk's inward reply had been spoken aloud and in a 
 past age, it might have cost poor Miss Hazel her life ; as it 
 was, he only said, 'Can you cut a broomstick, Hollo?' The 
 answer perhaps went into action, for the young man dis- 
 appeared. 
 
 Turning the wee head from side to side, as it munched the 
 biscuit, soothed by the soft touch of soft hands, the kitten so far 
 forgot herself as to break now and then into a loud irregular 
 purr ; but her little mistress was now quite silent and still, though 
 the light fingers never ceased their caressing, until puss had 
 finished the biscuit and purred herself to sleep. By this time 
 the coach jogged along in absolute darkness, except for what 
 help the stars gave. The plashing of a stream over its rough 
 bed far down below, gave token sometimes that the wheels of 
 the coach were near an abyss ; the flutter of leaves told that 
 the forest was all around them always. The irregular traveller 
 had re-entered the coach and sat among his shawls as still as 
 the rest of the party, who perhaps were all slumbering as well 
 as the kitten. It appeared so ; for when that small individual 
 started to consciousness and consequent alarm again, and was 
 making an excursion among the feet of the gentlemen on the 
 coach floor, its aroused mistress was only aroused in time to 
 hear a consolatory whisper from one of her companions ' Poor 
 little Kathleen mavourneen, by what misfortune did you get in 
 here? There, be still and go to sleep.' And as no more was 
 heard on either side, it seemed probable the advice had been 
 followed. At any rate, no more was seen of the kitten, not 
 even when the stagecoach swept round the level on which the 
 house stands, and drew up at the door, where the light of 
 lamps gave opportunity for observation. Wych Hazel only 
 saw that her neighbour flung a shawl demurely enough over 
 one shoulder and arm, where the cat might have been, and,
 
 24 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 letting himself out, proceeded to do the same office with full 
 dexterity, though with one hand, for the little cat's mistress. 
 
 Ensconcing herself even closer than ever in mantle and veil, 
 AVych Hazel passed on through the gay groups to the foot of 
 the stairs, there paused. 
 
 'Mr. Falkirk,' she said softly, 'I want my tea up-stairs, 
 please,' and passed on after the maid. 
 
 ' So,' said one of the loiterers in the hall, approaching Mr. 
 Falkirk, * so, my dear sir, you've brought Miss Kennedy at 
 last! Now for candidates! If the face match the hand anil 
 foot, the supply will be heavy.'
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 THE MOUNTAIN HOUSE. 
 
 THEKE was mist everywhere, on the winding bed of the 
 river, lying piled like a grey eider-down coverlet; folding 
 itself over the forest trees ; floating up to the Mountain House, 
 and hanging about the rocks. But overhead the sky looked 
 bright, and Sirius waved his torch, which the vapour had filled 
 with coloured lights. As yet sunrise was not. 
 
 In front of the house, where a grey rock started from the 
 very edge of the bank, spreading a platform above the precipice, 
 sat Wych Hazel, her feet so nearly over the rock that they 
 seemed resting on the mist itself ; her white scarf falling back 
 from her head like a wreath of lighter-coloured vapour. Per- 
 haps there were no other strangers to the Mountain House 
 within its walls ; perhaps the morning was too chill ; perhaps 
 all of the 'candidates' were on the other side; for she sat 
 alone, until the flaming torch of Sirius paled, until the dawn 
 began to shimmer and gleam among the fleeces of mist, until 
 they parted here and there before the arrows of light, shewing 
 spires and houses and a bit of the river in the far distance. So 
 fair, unfeatured, misty, and sparkling as once, lay Lifo before 
 the young gazer. Mr. Falkirk might have moralized thus, 
 standing close behind her as he was, still and silent ; but it is 
 not likely he did useless moralizing was never in Mr. Falkirk's 
 way. 
 
 ' How do you like your fortune, Miss Hazel, as you find it at 
 present? ' he said. 
 
 ' Very undefined, sir. Good morning, Mr. Falkirk. What 
 made youget up ? ' 
 
 ' My knowledge of your character.'
 
 26 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 'So attractive, sir?' She glanced up at him, then looked 
 away over the mist, with her arms crossed over her bosom, and 
 a grave look of thought settling down upon her young face, as 
 if womanhood were dawning upon her, with its mysterious 
 opalescent light. 
 
 'Evangeline saw her way all clear when she reached the 
 mountain-top,' she said musingly; 'but mine looks misty 
 enough. Mr. Falkirk, will this fog clear away before sunset ? ' 
 
 * Or settle down into rain.' 
 
 But while he spoke, the sun, mounting higher, shot through 
 the very heart of the mist, and the broken clouds began to roll 
 away in golden vapour, or were furled and drawn up with 
 bands of light. And now came voices from the piazza. 
 
 'You knew it last night, Mr. Kingsland, and never told 
 me ! ' said an oldish lady. ' And there is the sweet creature 
 this minute on the rock ! ' 
 
 Wych Hazel sprang to her feet. ' Mr. Falkirk,' she said, 
 ' you are inquired for ; ' and darting past him, she vanished 
 round the housa Mr. Falkirk, as in duty bound, followed ; 
 but when a needful point of view was attained, his charge was 
 nowhere within sight, and he returned to the house to be in 
 readiness to meet her when the bell should ring for breakfast. 
 
 But a couple of hours later, when the bell rang, Miss Hazel 
 was not forthcoming. The guests gathered to the breakfast 
 room. Mr. Falkirk remained hi the empty hall, pacing up and 
 down from door or door; then went to see if Wych Hazel were 
 by chance in her room. Mrs. Saddler was in consternation, 
 having heard nothing of her. Mr. Falkirk returned to his 
 walk in the hall, chafing a little now with something that was 
 not patience. Presently Rollo came down the stairs. 
 
 ' Good morning.' 
 
 ' Good morning.' 
 
 ' Exercise before breakfast ? Or after ? ' 
 
 ' Not after,' said Mr. Falkirk ; ' but you are late as it is.' 
 
 'Better late if you can't be early. You have a better 
 chance. I will wait with you, if you are waiting.' 
 
 ' Don't wait for me,' said Mr. Falkirk shortly ; ' I have no 
 idea when I shall be ready.'
 
 THE MOUNTAIN HOUSE. 27 
 
 ' I Lad no idea a little while ago when / should. By the 
 way, I hope Miss Kennedy is well this morning? ' 
 
 ' I hope so.' 
 
 'She is not down yet?' 
 
 ' She has been down, and I have not heard of her going up 
 again.' 
 
 ' In the breakfast room, perhaps,' said the young man ; and, 
 passing on, he made his way thither, while Mr. Falkirk stood at 
 the hall door. No, Miss Kennedy was not in the breakfast 
 room ; and instead of sitting down, Mr. Eollo went out by 
 another way, picking up a roll from the table as he passed, 
 and wrapping it in a napkin. He took a straight course to the 
 woods, over the grass, where no uninstructed eye could see that 
 the dew had been brushed away by a lighter foot than his ; 
 but if lighter, hardly so swift as the springy stride and leap 
 which carried him over yards of the rough way at a bound, 
 and cleared obstacles that would have hindered at least 
 slightly most other people. The mountain was quickly won 
 in this style, and Rollo gained a high ledge where the ground 
 lay more level. He went deliberately here, and used a pair of 
 eyes as quick as might match the feet, though not to notice 
 how the dew sparkled on the moss, or how the colours changed 
 in the valley. He was far above the Mountain House, on the 
 wild hillside. The sun had scattered the fog from the lower 
 country, which lay a wide dreamland to tempt the eye ; and 
 nearer by, the lesser charms of rock and tree, moss and lichen, 
 light and shadow, played with each other in wildering com- 
 binations. But Rollo did not look at valley or hill, his eyes 
 were seeking a gleam of colour which they had seen that morn- 
 ing once before, and seeking it with the spy of an eagle. No 
 grass here gave sign of a footstep. Soft lichen and unbending 
 ferns kept the secret, if they had one ; the evergreens were 
 noisy with birds, but otherwise mute ; the fog still settled down 
 in the ravines, and hid whatever they held. 
 
 Thither Mr. Rollo at last took his way, after a moment's 
 observation, down the woody, craggy sides of a wild dell, the 
 thick vapour into which he plunged sufficiently bewildering, 
 even to his practised eyes. Partridges whirred away from
 
 28 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 before him, squirrels chattered over his head, but his particular 
 quarry Mr. Rollo could nowhere find. Through that ravine, 
 and up the next ledge, with the sun rising hotter and hotter, 
 and breakfast long over at the Mountain House. 
 
 He found her at last so suddenly that he stopped short. 
 She was tired, probably, for she had dropped herself down on 
 the moss, her cheek on her hands, and had dropped her eye- 
 lids too in something very like slumber, the clear brown cheek 
 bearing its usual pink tinges but faintly. The figure curled 
 down upon the moss was rather tall, of a light build ; the 
 features were not just regular ; the hair of invisible brown lay 
 in very wayward silky curls ; and the eyes, as soon could 
 be seen, were to match, both as to colour and waywardness. 
 The mouth was a very woman's mouth, though the girlish arch 
 lines had hardly yet learned their own powers, whether of feel- 
 ing or persuasion. Very womanish, too, was the sweep of the 
 arm outline, and the hand and foot were dainty in the extreme. 
 Neither band nor foot stirred for other feet approaching, the 
 pretty gipsy having probably tired herself into something like 
 unconsciousness; and the first sound of which she was tho- 
 roughly sensible was her own name. The speaker was standing 
 near her when she looked up, with his hat in his hand, and an 
 air of grave deference. He expressed a fear that she was fatigued. 
 She had half -dreamily opened her eyes and looked up at first, 
 but there was nothing ' fatigued ' in the way the eyes went 
 down again, nor in the quick skill with which the scarf was 
 caught up and flung round her, fold after fold, until she was 
 muffled and turbaned like any Egyptian. Then she rose de- 
 murely to her feet. 
 
 ' Thank you, sir, for arousing me. Is Mr. Falkirk here? ' 
 4 No, I am alone. But you are at a distance from home. 
 Can you go back without some r. freshment ? ' The words and 
 the speaker were quiet enough, but Wych Hazel's colour stirred 
 uneasily. 
 
 ' Yes. Don't let me detain you, sir,' she said, putting herself 
 in quick motion across the moss. He met her on the other side 
 of a big boulder and stayed her, though with the quietest 
 manner of interference.
 
 THE MOUNTAIN HOUSE. 29 
 
 ' I beg your pardon ; but if you wish to go home ' 
 
 ' Yes,' she answered again, with a half laugh, glancing up at 
 the sun, ' I know. I am only going round this way.' 
 
 He stayed her still. ' I can guide you this way,' he said ; 
 ' but it is not the way to the House.' 
 
 Another glance at the sun. ' Which is the way ? ' 
 
 ' I will shew it to you. Do you care most for speed or 
 smooth going ? You are tired.' 
 
 "Wych Hazel knit her brows into the most abortive attempt 
 at a frown. What right had he to suppose that she was 
 tired? 
 
 ' If you will just shew me the way, sir the shortest ; I mean 
 point out the direction ' 
 
 He was standing and waiting her pleasure with contented 
 gravity. ' The direction is not to be followed in a straight 
 line,' said he. ' I can only shew you by going before. Is that 
 your meaning ? ' 
 
 ' I should like to get home the shortest way,' said she, 
 hesitating. 
 
 He went on without more words, and maintaining the polished 
 gravity of his first address ; but Wych Hazel had reason to re- 
 member her walk of that morning. It was a shorter way than 
 he had come, that by which her conductor took her, and in parts 
 easy enough, but in other parts requiring his skill as well as 
 hers to get her over them. He said not a word further ; he 
 served her in silence ; the vexatious thing was that he was able 
 to serve her so much. Many a time she had to accept his hand 
 to get past a rude place ; often both hands were needed to swing 
 her over a watercourse, or leap her down from a rock. She 
 was agile and light of foot ; she did what woman could. It was 
 only by sheer necessity that she yielded the mortifying, tacit 
 confession of man's superior strength, and gave so often oppor- 
 tunity to a pair of good eyes to see what she was like near at 
 hand. Wych Hazel's own eyes made few discoveries. She 
 could feel every now and then that her conductor's hand and 
 foot were as firm and reliable as the mountain itself. This 
 course of travelling brought them, however, soon to the level 
 of the Mountain House and to plain going. There Mr. RoHo
 
 30 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 fell behind, allowing the young lady to take her own pace in 
 crossing the lawn and the hall, only attending her like her 
 shadow to the foot of the stairs. With the first reaching of 
 level ground he had had a full look and gesture of acknowledg- 
 ment ; what became of him afterwards, Miss Hazel seemed not 
 to know. He knew that she ran up the first flight of stairs, 
 and that once out of sight her steps drooped instantly. 
 
 ' So ! ' said Mr. Kingsland, advancing. ' Really, Hollo, my 
 dear fellow, how are we to understand this ? ' 
 
 'Give us an introduction after lunch, will you?' said 
 another. 
 
 ' But, Mr. Rollo, how extraordinary ! ' said one of the 
 dowagers. 
 
 4 Madame ! ' said Mr. Rollo, waiting upon the last speaker, 
 hat in hand. 
 
 ' Let him alone, my dear lady ! ' said Mr. Kingsland ; ' he's 
 got to prepare for coffee and pistols with Mr. Falkirk. And 
 coffee, I fancy, he's ready for eh, Dane ? Go get your break- 
 fast, and I'll break matters gently to the guardian.' 
 
 ' Will you do that, my dear fellow ? ' 
 
 I Can you doubt me ? ' 
 
 I 1 wish you would, for I am hungry,' said Dane, drawing his 
 hand over his face. ' Mr. Falkirk is gone off toward the cata- 
 ract Just run after him and tell him that his ward is come 
 home. Has lie had breakfast ? ' 
 
 4 Run, I guess I wont ! ' said Mr. Kingsland. ' But to be 
 the first bearer of welcome news ' And Mr. Falkirk, roaming 
 among trees and rocks, was presently accosted by two gentle- 
 men. 
 
 ' Allow me, my dear sir, to congratulate you,' said the fore- 
 most. ' Miss Kennedy is safe. Our friend Rollo has, with his 
 usual sagacity, gone straight to the mark, and, without a 
 moment's thought of his own breakfast or strength, has found 
 the young lady and followed her home.' 
 
 1 She is at home, then?' said Mr. Falkirk. 
 
 ' She is at home, sir. The Mountain House is made radiant 
 by her presence. And now, permit me Dr. Maryland, son of 
 your friend at Chickaree. Only your neighbour upon Christian
 
 THE MOUNTAIN HOUSE. 31 
 
 principles here, sir, but bona fide neighbour at Chickaree, and 
 most anxious to be acquainted with the fair owner thereof.' 
 
 Too honest-hearted to feel the innuendo of Mr. Kingsland's 
 last words, their undeniable truth flushed Dr. Maryland some- 
 what as he shook hands with Mr. Falkirk. He was a well- 
 looking young man, with a clear blue eye, which said the 
 world's sophistications would find no Parley the porter to 
 admit them ; and Mr. Falkirk would certainly have begun to 
 like his young neighbour on the spot, if he had not been on a 
 sudden summoned to the house. 
 
 Miss Hazel, speeding up-stairs in the manner before related, 
 reached her room safely ; but there, proceeding to answer or 
 evade Mrs. Saddler's questions, also to indulge herself in sundry 
 musings, did indeed not forget to despatch a peremptory order 
 for breakfast ; but as that refreshment was somewhat delayed, 
 the young lady, in an impatient fit of time-saving, began to 
 change her dress ; and fainted away charmingly during the 
 process. At which moment the maid and breakfast entered 
 the room, and the former promptly set down her tray, and ran 
 off to summon the only doctor then at the Mountain House. 
 
 Little did Dr. Maryland guess the meaning of those 
 mysterious words, ' A lady wants you ! ' still less, what lady. 
 And as, by the time he reached the room, Miss Hazel opened 
 her eyes for his express benefit, the doctor stopped short in the 
 middle of the room, his ideas more unsettled than ever. But 
 Mr. Falkirk, who had accompanied the doctor, though not 
 expecting to find their paths all the way identical, pressed 
 forward with a face of great concern. 
 
 * Miss Hazel ! is it you ? What is the matter ? ' 
 
 ' Do I look like somebody else, sir ? ' 
 
 Like nobody else 1 thought Dr. Maryland ; while, learning 
 the whole of Mrs. Saddler's explanations from the first five 
 words, he went on to apply such remedies as were strongest 
 and nearest at hand. In a medical point of view it was not 
 perhaps needful that he should hold the coffee-cup himself all 
 the time ; but if this were not really his ' first case,' it bid fair 
 to be so marked in his memory. Perhaps he forgot the coffee- 
 cup, till Mr. Falkirk gently relieved him of it with a word of
 
 32 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 dismissiou, and the doctor modestly withdrew ; then sending 
 Mrs. Saddler for some bottled ale, Mr. Falkhk went on 
 k Wych, where have you been ? ' 
 
 ' Following the steps of my great predecessor, King Alfred, 
 sir.' 
 
 ' In what line ? ' 
 
 ' Eetiring from the enemy, sir, and being obliged to meet 
 the Dane,' said Miss Hazel, innocently closing her eyes. 
 
 ' "Where? ' said Mr. Falkirk shortly. 
 
 ' I don't know, sir. In some of the wild places favoured by 
 such outlaws. Don't you know, he has just come over the 
 sea?' 
 
 There was a pause of some seconds. 
 
 ' Wych,' said her guardian kindly, ' do you know it is not 
 nice for little girls to make themselves so conspicuous as your 
 morning walk has made you to-day ? ' 
 
 Some feeling of her own brought the blood to her cheek and 
 brow vividly. 
 
 ' I don't know what you call conspicuous, sir ; only one 
 person found me. And if you think I lost myself in the fog on 
 purpose, Mr. Falkirk, you think me a much smaller girl than I 
 am !' 
 
 Mr. Falkirk smiled a little, passing his hand very lightly 
 over the brow which did look certainly as if it had belonged 
 to a little girl not very long ago ; but he said no more, except 
 to advise the young lady to eat a good breakfast. 
 
 Not to be conspicuous, however, from this day was beyond 
 little Miss Hazel's power, to whatever degree it might have 
 been within her wish. The house was at this time not yet 
 filled; but of all its indwellers, old and young, male and 
 female, higher and lower in the scale of society, every eye and 
 tongue was at lier service, so far as being occupied with her 
 made it so. Every hand was at her service more literally. 
 Did not the very serving-men at table watch her eye ? Was 
 not he the best fellow who could recommend the hottest 
 omelet and bring the freshest cakes to her hand? The young 
 heiress, the young mistress of fabulous acres, and 'such a 
 beautiful old place ; ' the new beauty, who bid fair to bewitch
 
 THE MOUNTAIN HOUSE. 33 
 
 all the world with hand and foot and gipsy eyes, nay, 
 the current set all one way. Even old dowagers looked to 
 praise, and even their daughters to admire ; while of the men, 
 all were at her feet. Attentions civil, kind, and recommen- 
 datory showered on Miss Hazel from all sides. Would that 
 little head stand it, with its wayward curls and some slight 
 indication of waywardness within? How would it keep its 
 position over such a crowd of servants self-made in her honour ? 
 Some of them were very devoted servants indeed, and seemed 
 willing to proclaim their devotion. Among these was Mr. 
 Kingsland, who constituted himself her right-hand man in 
 general ; but Dr. Maryland was not far off, if less presuming. 
 Miss Hazel could not walk or ride or come into a room without 
 some sort of homage from one or all of these. 
 
 ' Dear little thing ! pretty little thing ! ' exclaimed a lady, 
 an old acquaintance of Mr. Falkirk's, one evening. ' Charming 
 little creature I How will she bear it ? ' 
 
 Mr. Falkirk was standing near by. 
 
 ' She wants a better guardian,' the lady went on, whisper- 
 ing. 
 
 ' I wish she had a mother,' he said. 
 
 ' Or a husband I ' 
 
 Mr. Falkirk was silent; then he said, 'It is too soon for 
 that.' 
 
 ' Yes, too soon,' said the lady meditatively, as she looked at 
 Wych Hazel's curls. ' But what will she do ? Somebody will 
 deceive her into thinking he is the right man, while it is too 
 soon.' 
 
 'Nobody shall deceive her,' said Mr. Falkirk between his 
 teeth. 
 
 It must be mentioned that an exception, in some sort, to all 
 tnis adulation, was furnished by the friend of Miss Hazel's 
 morning walk. Mr. Rollo, if the truth must be told, seemed to 
 live more for his own pleasure than anybody else's. Why he 
 had taken that morning's scramble, unless on motives of un- 
 wonted benevolence, remained known only to himself. Since 
 then he had not exerted himself in her or anybody's service. 
 Pleasant and gay he was when anybody saw him, but nobody's
 
 34 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 servant. By day Mr. Rollo roamed the woods, for he was said 
 to be a great hunter ; or he lay on the grass in the shade with 
 a book ; or he found out for himself some delectable place or 
 pleasure unknown previously to others, though as soon as 
 known sure to be approved and adopted ; and at evening the 
 rich scents of his cigar floated in the air where the moonlight 
 lay brightest or shadows played daintiest. But he did not seem 
 to share the universal attraction towards the daintiest thing of 
 all at the Mountain. He saw her, certainly he was sometimes 
 seen looking at her ; but then he would leave the place where 
 her presence held everybody, and the perfume of his cigar 
 would come as aforesaid, or the distant notes of a song said 
 that Mr. Rollo and the rocks were congenial society. If 
 he met the little queen of the company indeed anywhere, 
 he would lift his hat and stand by to let her pass with the 
 most courtier-like deference: he would lift his hat to her 
 shadow; but he never testified any inclination to follow it. 
 The more notable this was, because Rollo was a pet of the 
 world himself, one of those whom every society welcomes, 
 and who for that very reason, perhaps, are a little nonchalant 
 towards society. 
 
 It was a proof how gaily and sweetly she took the popular 
 vote, that she bore so easily his defalcation. Vanity was not 
 one of her pet follies ; and besides, that morning's work had 
 brought on Miss Hazel an unwonted fit of grave propriety 
 she was a little inclined to keep herself in the background. 
 Amuse her the admiration did, however. It was funny to see 
 Mr. Kingsland forsake billiards and come to quote Tennyson to 
 her ; Dr. Maryland's shy distant homage was more comical yet ; 
 and the tender little mouth began to find out its lines and 
 dimples and power of concealment. But her young heart had 
 a good share of timidity, and that stirred very often, making 
 the colour flit to and fro ' like the rosy light upon the sky,' 
 Mr. Kingsland originally observed ; while Dr. Maryland looked 
 at the evening star and was silent. Compliments, how they 
 rained down upon her ! how gaily she shook them off 1 And 
 as to Mr. Rollo, if there was anything Miss Hazel disliked, it 
 was to submit to guidance ; and she had been obliged to follow
 
 THE MOUNTAIN HOUSE. 35 
 
 him out of the woods. And if he had presumed to admire her 
 in the same style in which he had guided her, she felt quite 
 sure there would have been a sparring match. Besides, But 
 ' besides ' is a feminine postscript* -it would be a breach of 
 confidence to translate it.
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 SKETCHING. 
 
 ONE brilliant night, Mr. Falkirk, pacing up and down the 
 piazza, Wych Hazel came and joined him, clasping both hands 
 on his arm. 
 
 * Mr. Falkirk,' she said softly, ' when are we going to 
 Chickaree?' 
 
 ' I have no information, Miss Hazel.' 
 
 * Then I can tell you, sir. "We take the " Owl " stage day 
 after to-morrow morning, and we tell nobody of our intention.' 
 And Wych Hazel's finger made an impressive little dent in Mr. 
 Falkirk's arm. 
 
 ' "Why that precaution ? ' he inquired. 
 
 ' Pity to break up the party, sir ; they seem to be enjoying 
 themselves ; ' and a soft laugh of mischief and fun rang out into 
 the moonlight. 
 
 1 Is this arrangement expected to be carried into effect ? ' 
 
 ' Certainly, sir. If my guardian approves,' said Miss Hazel 
 submissively. 
 
 ' What's become of her other guardian?' said an old lady, 
 possessing herself of Mr. Falkirk's left arm. 
 
 ' My other guardian ! ' said the young lady expressively. 
 
 ' She has no other,' said Mr. Falkirk very distinctly. 
 
 ' Have you broken the will ?' 
 
 ' No, madam,' said Mr. Falkirk. ' As it often happens in 
 this world, something has reached your ears in a mistaken form.' 
 
 ' What something was it ?' said Wych Hazel. 
 
 ' A false report, my dear, Mr. Falkirk says.' Which did not 
 quite satisfy the questioner at the time, but was soon for- 
 gotten in the rush of other things.
 
 SKETCHING. 3 7 
 
 The next day was devoted to a musical picnic at the Falls. 
 It was musical, inasmuch as a band had been fetched up to 
 play on the rocks while the company filled the house and 
 balcony ; and an occasional song or duet, which ladies asked 
 for ' just to see how they would sound there,' kept up the 
 delusion. By what rule it was a picnic it might be difficult to 
 discover, except that it had been so styled. Eatables and 
 drinkables were to be sure a prominent portion of the enter- 
 tainment, and they were discussed with more informality and 
 a good deal less convenience than if in their regular place. 
 But however, the rocks and the wildness lent them a charm, 
 perhaps of novelty, and the whole affair seemed to be voted a 
 success. 
 
 Success fell so largely to Miss Hazel's share, that she by 
 times was a little weary of it, or of its consequences ; and this 
 day, finding herself in a most inevitable crowd do what she 
 would, she fairly ran away for a breath of air with no musk in 
 it. Making one or two the honoured confidants of her inten- 
 tion, that she might secure their staying where they were and 
 keeping others, and promising to return soon, she slipped away 
 down the stairs by the Fall. All the party had been there 
 that morning, as in duty bound, and had gone where it was 
 the rule to go. Now Wych Hazel sprang along by herself, to 
 take the wildness and the beauty in silence and at her own 
 pleasure. At the upper basin of the Fall she turned off, and 
 coasted the narrow path under the rock, around the basin. 
 At the other side, where the company had been contented to 
 turn about, Wych Hazel passed on, till she found herself a seat 
 on a projecting rock, from which a wild, wooded ravine of the 
 hills stretched out before her eyes, the sides so bold, the 
 sweep of them so extended, the woods so luxuriantly rich, the 
 scene so desolate in its loneliness and wildness, that she sat 
 down to dream in a trance of enjoyment. Not a sound now 
 but the plash of the water, the scream of a wild bird, and 
 the rustle of leaves. Not a human creature in sight, or the 
 trace of one. Wych might imagine the times when Bed Indians 
 roved among those hillsides, the place looked like them ; but 
 rare were the white hunters that broke their solitudes. It was
 
 38 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 delicious. The very air that fanned her face had come straight 
 from a wilderness, a wilderness where it blew only over 
 sweet things. It refreshed her, after those people up on the 
 balcony. She had promised to be back soon ; but now a rosy 
 flower or spike of flowers of tempting elegance caught her 
 eye. It was down below her a little way, not far a very 
 rough and steep way; but no matter, she must have the flower. 
 And deftly and daintily she clambered down. The flower looked 
 lovelier the nearer she got to it ; and very rare and exquisite 
 she found it to be, as soon she had it in her hands. It was not 
 till she had examined and rejoiced over it, that, addressing her- 
 self to go back, Wych Hazel found her retreat cut off, not by 
 any sudden avalanche or obstacle, animate or inanimate. As 
 peacefully as before the wind waved the ferns on the great 
 stepping-stones of cliff and boulder by which she had come ; 
 but the agility by which, with help of vines and twigs, she 
 had let herself down those declivities, was not the strength 
 that would mount them again. It was impossible. Wych 
 Hazel saw it was impossible ; and certainly she would never 
 have yielded the conviction but to dire necessity. She stood 
 considering one particular jump down which she had made ; 
 nothing but desperation could have taken her back again. 
 
 Desperate, however, Wych Hazel did not feel. There was 
 nothing to do at present but to wait till her friends should 
 find her ; for to go further down would but add to her trouble, 
 and lessen her chance of being soon set free; and indeed, from 
 her present position, even to go down (voluntarily) was no 
 trifle. So Wych Hazel sat down to wait, amusing herself with 
 thoughts of the sensation on the cliff, and wondering what 
 sort of scaling ladders could be improvised in a hurry. They 
 would be sure to come after her presently. Some one would 
 find her. And it was a lovely place to wait. 
 
 How it happened must remain, like other mysteries, unex- 
 plained till the mystery is over, that the person who did find 
 her again happened to be Mr. Rollo. Yet she had hardly seen 
 him all day before that. Wych Hazel had half forgotten her 
 situation in enjoying its beauties and musing in accordance 
 with them ; and then, suddenly looking up to the great piece
 
 1 Her discoverer presently dropped down by her side, and stood there un- 
 covered, as usual ; but this time he did not withdraw his eyes from her 
 face." P. 39.
 
 SKETCHING. 39 
 
 of rock nearest her, she saw him standing there, looking down 
 at her with the calm face and handsome grey eyes which she 
 had noticed before. The girl had been singing half to herself 
 a wild little Scotch ballad, chiming it in with water and wind 
 and bird music, taking first one part and then another ; loop- 
 ing together a long chain of pine needles the while, then throw- 
 ing back her sleeve and laying the frail work across her arm, 
 above the tiny hair chain, the broad band of gems, and the 
 string of acorns, which banded it, in short, disporting herself 
 generally. But not the 'lullaby, baby, and all,' of the old 
 rhyme ever had a more sudden and complete downfall. The 
 first line of 
 
 ' O, wha wad buy a silken goun 
 Wi* a puir broken heart ? ' 
 
 was left as a mere abstract proposition ; and "Wych Hazel 
 would assuredly have ' slipped from her moorings,' but for the 
 certain fear of tearing her dress, or spraining her ankle, or 
 doing some other bad thing which should call for immediate 
 assistance. So she sat still and gazed at the prospect. 
 
 Her discoverer presently dropped down by her side, and 
 stood there uncovered, as usual ; but this time he did not with- 
 draw his eyes from her face. And when he spoke, it was in a 
 new tone, very pleasant, though laying aside a certain distance 
 and form with which he had hitherto addressed her. 
 
 ' Do you know,' he said, ' I begin to think I have known you 
 in a former state of existence?' 
 
 'What sort of a person were you in a former state, Mr. 
 Rollo ? ' 
 
 ' I see the knowledge was not mutual. I am sorry. This is 
 a pleasant place.' 
 
 ' This identical grey rock? ' 
 
 ' Don't you think so ? ' in a tone which assumed the proposi- 
 tion. 
 
 ' Very,' said Wych Hazel, with a demure face. ' I do not 
 know whieh abound most, the pleasures of hope, memory, or 
 imagination. But I thought perhaps you meant the moun- 
 tain.'
 
 40 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 ' The pleasures of the present, then, you do not perceive? ' 
 said Mr. Rollo, peering about very busily among the trees and 
 rocks in his vicinity. 
 
 1 Poor hope and imagination ! ' said Miss Hazel ; ' must they 
 be banished to the "former state"? Memory does hold a 
 sort of middle ground.' 
 
 "There isn't much of that sort of ground here,' said Mr. 
 Rollo ; ' we are on a pretty steep pitch of the hill. Don't you 
 like this wilderness? You want a gun, though, or a pencil, to 
 give you the sense that you have something to do in the 
 wilderness.' 
 
 'Yes!' said Miss Hazel; 'so Englishmen say, " "What a 
 nice day it is ! let's go out and kill something." ' 
 
 There was a good deal of amusement and keenness in his 
 sideway glance, as he demurely asked her ' if she didn't know 
 how to shoot? ' But Wych Hazel, with a slight gesture of her 
 silky curls, merely remarked that she had pencils in her pocket, 
 if he wanted one. 
 
 ' Thank you ; have you paper too ? ' 
 
 'Plenty.' 
 
 ' That I may not seem intolerably rude,' said he, extending 
 his hand for the paper, 'will you make one sketch while I 
 make another? We will limit the time, as they did at the 
 London Sketch Club.' 
 
 ' Oh, I shall not think it even tolerably rude. But all my 
 paper is in this book.' 
 
 ' To secure the conditions, I must tear a leaf out. How will 
 that do?' 
 
 ' Very well,' she said, with a wee flitting of colour ; ' if you 
 will secure my conditions too.' 
 
 'What are they?' As he spoke he tore the leaf out, and 
 proceeded to accommodate himself with a pamphlet for a 
 drawing-board. 
 
 ' You had no right to the leaf till you heard them,' she 
 cried, jumping up. ' I shall take care how I bargain with you 
 again, Mr. Rollo.' 
 
 ' Not safe ? ' said he, smiling. ' But you are this tune, for I 
 Accepted the conditions, you know. And besides, you have
 
 SKKTCHIXG. 
 
 the pencils yet.' There was a certain gay simplicity about hia 
 manner that was disarming. 
 
 ' Did you ? ' said Hazel, looking down at him. ' Then you 
 are injudicious to accept them unheard. One of them is very 
 hard. The first is easy : you are to restore the leaf wher the 
 sketch is done.' 
 
 ' It is the decree of the strongest ! And the other ? ' 
 ' You are to confess my sketch to be the best. Now what is 
 the subject to be ? ' 
 
 ' Stop a bit,' said he, turning over the book which Wych 
 Hazel had given him wrong side first ; ' I should like to see 
 what I am to swear to, before we begin.' And the bits of her 
 drawing which were found there received a short but keen 
 consideration. ' The subject is this grey rock where we are, 
 with what is on and around it.' 
 
 ' You are lawless. And your subject is unmanageable.' 
 ' Do you think so ? ' 
 
 ' You want what is " around " this grey rock,' she said, with 
 a light twirl on the tips of her toes. ' If your views on most 
 subjects are as comprehensive ' 
 
 ' They can be met, nevertheless,' said he, laughing. ' If you 
 take one part of the subject, and I the other ; and if you'll give 
 me a pencil 1 We must be done in a quarter of an hour.' 
 
 ' There it is,' said Wych Hazel, with the pencil in her dainty 
 fingers. ' Then you can take half the rock,' and she walked 
 away to a position as far behind Mr. Rollo as sweetbriars and 
 sumach would permit. That gentleman turned about and 
 faced her gravely ; also withdrew a step, looked at his watch, 
 and, throwing on his hat, which had lain till now on the moss, 
 went to work. It was work in earnest, for minutes were 
 limited. 
 
 ' Mr. Rollo,' said Wych Hazel, ' I cannot draw a thing if 
 you sit there watching me. Just take your first position, 
 
 ' I should lose my point of view ; you would not ask me to 
 do that ? Besides, you are safe ; I am wholly occupied with 
 myself.' 
 
 ' No doubt. But if you presume to put me in your sketch,
 
 42 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 I'll turn you into a red squirrel.' With which fierce threat Miss 
 Hazel drooped her head till her ' point of view ' must have been 
 at least merged in the brim of her flat hat, and went at her 
 drawing. That she had merged herself as well in the interest 
 of the game, was soon plain. Shyness and everything else went 
 to the winds. Only when (according to habit) some scrap of 
 a song broke from her lips, then did she rebuke herself with an 
 impatient gesture or exclamation, while the hat drooped lower 
 than ever. It was pretty to see and to hear her, those very 
 outbreaks were so free and girlish and wayward, and at the 
 same time so sweet. Several minutes of the prescribed time 
 slipped away. 
 
 ' How soon do you go to Chickaree ? ' said the gentleman in 
 a pre-engaged tone, very busy with his pencil. 
 
 ' How soon ! ' repeated the lady, surveying her own sketch ; 
 ' why, not too soon for anybody that wants me away, I sup- 
 pose. Ask Mr. Falkirk.' 
 
 ' Is it long since you have seen the place ? ' 
 
 ' I can scarcely be said to have " seen " it at all. I think 
 my landscape eyes were not open at that remote period of 
 which you speak.' 
 
 ' I was a red squirrel then, in the " former state" to which 
 I referred a while ago. So you see your late threat has no 
 terrors for me. Is it in process of execution ? ' 
 
 1 Oh, were you?' said Miss Hazel, absorbed in her drawing. 
 ' Yes ; but the expression is very difficult, Did you think you 
 knew me as a field mouse ? ' 
 
 He laughed a little. 
 
 'Then I suppose you have not the pleasure of knowing 
 your neighbours the Marylands, except the specimen lately on 
 hand?' 
 
 4 No ; I have heard of them. For shame, Mr. Rollo ! Dr. 
 Maryland isn't a " specimen." I like him.' 
 
 The gentleman made no remark upon this, but confined hia 
 attention to his work for a few minutes. Then looked at his 
 watch. 
 
 ' Is that sketch ready to shew ? Time's up.' 
 
 ' And the squirrel is down, but not much else.'
 
 SKETCHING. 43 
 
 Not much ! The squirrel sat contemplatively gazing into Mr. 
 Eollo's hat, which lay on the rock before him, quite undisturbed 
 by a remarkable-looking witch, who rose up at the other end. 
 The gentleman surveyed them attentively. 
 
 * Do you consider these true portraits ? ' 
 
 'I do not think the hat would be a tight fit,' said she, 
 smothering a laugh. 
 
 ' Well,' said he comically, ' it is said that no man knows 
 himself; how it may be with women, I can't say.' And he 
 made over the sketch in his hand, and went to his former 
 work, which had been cutting a stick. 
 
 There was more in this second sketch. The handling was as 
 effective as it had been swift. Considering that fifteen minutes 
 and a lead pencil were all, there had been a great deal done, 
 in a style that proved use and cultivation as well as talent. 
 The rocks, upper and lower, were truly given ; the artist had 
 chosen a different state of light from the actual hour of the 
 day, and had thus thrown a great mass into fine relief. Round 
 it the ferns and mosses and creepers with a light hand were 
 beautifully indicated. But in the nook where Wych Hazel had 
 stationed herself, there was no pretty little figure with her 
 book on her lap ; in its place, sharply and accurately given, 
 was a scraggy, irregular-shaped bush, with a few large leaves 
 and knobby excrescences, which looked like acorns ; but an 
 oak it was not, still less a tree. The topmost branch was 
 crowned with Miss Kennedy's nodding hat, and upon another 
 branch lay her open drawing book. Miss Kennedy shook her 
 head. 
 
 ' I cannot deny the relationship. Your style of handling is 
 perhaps a trifle dry. That is not what you call an " ideal 
 woman," is it, Mr. Rollo?' 
 
 ' I might fairly retort upon that. What do you say to our 
 moving from this ground, before the band up there gets into 
 Minor?' 
 
 Retaking of a sudden her denmreness, slipping away to her 
 first position on the rock, with hands busy about the pink 
 flowers, Wych Hazel answered, as once before 
 
 ' Do not let me detain you ; do not wait for me, Mr. Rollo.'
 
 44 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 ' Shall I consider myself dismissed, and send some mors 
 fortunate friend to help you out of your difficulty ? ' 
 
 ' I am not in any difficulty, thank you.' 
 
 1 Only you don't know your way,' he said, with perhaps a 
 little amusement, though it hardly appeared. ' Is it true that 
 you will not give me the honour of guiding you?' 
 
 * In the first place,' said Miss Hazel, wreathing her pink 
 flowers with quick fingers, ' I know the way by which I came 
 perfectly. In the second place, I never voluntarily submit 
 to anybody's guidance.' 
 
 'Will you excuse me for correcting myself? I meant, in 
 " not knowing your way," merely the way in which you are 
 to go? 
 
 * Do you know it ? ' 
 
 * If you suffer my guidance, undoubtedly.' 
 
 ' Ah, if ! In that case, so do I. But I " suffered " so much 
 on the last occasion ; and Dr. Maryland has left the Mountain.' 
 
 ' I would not for the world be importunate. Perhaps you 
 will direct me if I shall inform any one of your hiding place ? 
 or do you desire to have it remain such ? ' 
 
 ' Thank you,' said Wych Hazel, framing the landscape in her 
 pink wreath, and gazing at it intently ; ' I suppose there is not 
 much danger. But if you see Mr. Falkirk, you may reveal to 
 him my distressed condition. He needs stimulus occasionally.' 
 
 Rollo lifted his hat with his usual Spanish courtesy ; then 
 disappeared, but not, indeed, by the way he had come. He 
 threw himself upon an outstanding oak branch, from which, 
 lightly and lithely as if he had been the red squirrel himself, 
 he dropped to some place out of sight. One or two bounds 
 rustling amid leaves and branches, and he had gone from 
 hearing as well as from view. 
 
 Wych Hazel had time to meditate. Doubtless she once more 
 scanned the rocks, by which inexplicably she had let herself 
 down to her present position, but in vain; no strength or 
 agility of hers, unaided, could avail to get up them again. 
 Indeed, it was not easy to see how aid could mend the matter. 
 Miss Hazel left considering the question. It was a wild place 
 she was in, and wild things suited it. The very birds, unaccus-
 
 SKETCHING. 45 
 
 tomed tc disturbance, hopped near her, and eyed her out of 
 their bright eyes. If they could have given somewhat of their 
 practical sageness to the human creature they were watching ! 
 Wych Hazel had very little of it, and just then, in truth, would 
 have chosen their wings instead. She did not even now, in 
 then- innocent, busy manners, read how much else they had 
 that she lacked, though she looked at them and at all the 
 other wild things. The tree branches that stretched as they 
 listed, no axe coming ever upon their freedom ; the moss and 
 lichens that flourished in luxuriant beds and pastures, not 
 breathed on by even a naturalist's breath ; the rocks that they 
 had clothed for ages, no one disturbing ; the very cloud 
 shadows that now and then swept over the ravine and the 
 hillsides, meeting nothing less free than themselves, scarce 
 anything less noiseless, seemed to assert the whole scene as 
 nature's own. Since the days of the red men, nothing but cloud 
 shadows had travelled there. The nineteenth century had made 
 no entrance ; no woodcutter had lifted his axe in the forest ; the 
 mountain streams that you might hear soft rushing in the dis- 
 tance, did no work but their own in their citadel of the hills. 
 Wych Hazel had time to consider it all, and to watch more 
 than one shadow walk slowly from end to end of the long 
 stretch of mountain valley, before she heard anything else than 
 the wild noise of leaf and water and bird. At last there came 
 something more definite in the sounds of leaves and branches 
 over her head ; and then, with certainly a little difficulty, Mr. 
 Falkirk let himself down to her standing place. To say that 
 Mr. Falkirk looked in a gratified state of mind would be to 
 strain the truth, though his thick eyebrows were unruffled. 
 
 ' How did you get here, Wych ? ' was his undoubtedly serious 
 Inquiry. 
 
 'Oh!' she said, jumping up, and checking her own wild 
 murmurs of song, ' my dear Mr. Falkirk, how did you ? What 
 is the last news from civilisation?' She looked wild-wood 
 enough, with the pink wreath round her hat and her curls 
 twisted round the wind's fingers. 
 
 ' But what did you come here for? ' 
 
 ' It's a pleasant place, sir, Mr. Rollo says. I was going to
 
 46 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 propose that you and I should have a joint summerhouse here, 
 with strawberries and cream. Mr. Falkirk, haven't you a bun 
 in your pocket?' 
 
 At this moment, and in the most matter-of-fact manner, 
 presented himself her red squirrel friend, arriving from nobody 
 knew where, and bringing not only himself, but a little basket, in 
 which appeared precisely biscuits and strawberries. Silently 
 all this presented itself. Wych Hazel's cheeks rivalled the 
 strawberries for about a minute, but whether from stirred 
 vanity or vexation it was hard to tell. 
 
 4 Mr. Falkirk,' she cried, ' are all the rest of the staff com- 
 ing ? Here is the commissary ; is the quartermaster behind, 
 in the bushes?' 
 
 ' I have no doubt we shall find him,' said Mr. Falkirk dryly. 
 4 How did you get into this bird's nest, child ?' 
 
 ' She was drawn here, sir by a red squirrel.' 
 
 ' I was not drawn. Mr. Falkirk, what are they about up 
 there, besides lamenting my absence ? ' 
 
 Mr. Falkirk seemed uneasy. He only looked at the little 
 speaker, busy with her strawberries, and spoke not, but Eollo 
 answered instead. 
 
 ' They are looking over the rocks and endeavouring to com- 
 pute the depth to the bottom, with a reference to your probable 
 safety.' There was a shimmer of light in the speaker's eye. 
 
 ' If they're taking mathematical views of the subject, they 
 are in a dangerous way. Mr. Falkirk, it is imperatively neces- 
 sary that I should at once rejoin the rest of society. Will you 
 let yourself be torn from this rock, like a sea anemone ? ' 
 
 Mr. Falkirk had been for a few minutes taking a minute and 
 businesslike survey of the place. 
 
 ' I see no way of getting you out, TVych, without a rope. I 
 must go back for one, I believe, and you and society must 
 wait.' 
 
 ' How will you get out, sir ? ' 
 
 ' I don't know. If I cannot, I'll send Rollo.' 
 
 ' Pray send him, sir, by all means.' 
 
 1 1 can get you out without a rope,' said that gentleman 
 very dispassionately.
 
 SKETCHING. 4*7 
 
 ' Pray do, then,' said the other. 
 
 * There is a step or two here of roughness, but it is practic- 
 able ; and with your help we can reach smooth going in a very 
 few minutes. A little below, there is a path. Let me see you 
 safe down first, Mr. Falkirk. Can you manage that oak 
 branch? Stop when you get to the bottom. Stand there, 
 now.' 
 
 With the aid of his younger friend's hand and eye, Mr. 
 Falkirk made an abrupt descent to the place indicated, a ledge 
 not very far but very sheer below them. From a position 
 which looked like a squirrel's, midway on the rock, with one 
 foot on the oak, Rollo then stretched out his hand to Wych 
 Hazel. 
 
 ' Am I to stop when I get to the bottom ? most people like 
 to do it before,' she said. 
 
 ' You must. Come a little lower down, if you please. Take 
 Mr. Falkirk's hand as soon as you reach footing.' 
 
 It was no place for ceremony, neither could she help it. As 
 he spoke, he took the young lady in both hands as if she had 
 been a parcel, and swung her lightly and firmly, though it 
 must have been with the exercise of great strength, down to a 
 rocky cleft which her feet could reach, and from which Mr. 
 Falkirk's hand could reach her. Only then did Mr. Hollo's 
 hand release her ; and then he bounded down himself like a 
 cat. Once more very nearly the same operation had to be 
 gone through ; then a few plunging and scrambling steps 
 placed them in a clear path, and the sound of the waters of 
 the Fall told them which way to take. With that Hollo lifted 
 his hat again gravely and feU back behind the others. Wrap- 
 ping herself in her mood as if it had been a veil, Wych Hazel 
 likewise bent her head it might have been to both gentlemen; 
 but then she sped forward at a rate which she knew one could 
 not and the other would not follow, and disappeared among 
 the leaves like a frightened partridge. 
 
 What was she like when they reached the party on the 
 height ? With no token of her adventure but the pink wreath 
 round her hat and the pink flush under it, Miss Hazel sat there 
 & la reine, Mr. Kingsland at her feet, a circle of standing
 
 48 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 admirers on all sides, her own immediate attention concen- 
 trated on a thorn in one of her wee fingers. Less speedily Mr. 
 Falkirk had followed her, and now stood at the back of the 
 group, silent aiid undemonstrative. Rollo had gone another 
 way, and was not any longer of the party.
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 To Chickaree by the stage was a two days' journey. The first 
 day presented nothing remarkable. Kollo was their only 
 fellow-traveller whom they knew; and he did nothing to 
 lighten the tedium of the way, beyond the ordinary courtesies. 
 And after the first few hours the scenery had little to attract. 
 The country became an ordinary farming district, with no 
 distinctive features. Not that there be not sweet things to 
 interest in such a landscape, for a mind free enough and eyes 
 unspoiled. There are tints of colouring in a flat pasture field, 
 to feed the eye that can find them ; there are forms and 
 shadows in a rolling arable country, sweet and changing and 
 satisfying. There are effects in tufts of spared woodland, and 
 colours in wild vegetation, and in the upturned brown and 
 umber of fields of ploughed earth, and in the grey lichened 
 rocks and the clear tints of their broken edges. There are 
 the associations and indications of human life, too, tokens of 
 thrift and of poverty, of weary toil and of well-to-do activity. 
 Where the ploughs go, and the ploughmen ; where the cattle are 
 driven afield ; where the farmyards tell how they are housed 
 and kept ; where the women sit with their milking pails, or make 
 journeys to the spring ; where flowers trim the house-fronts, 
 or where the little yard-gate says that everything, like itself, 
 hangs by one hinge. A good deal of life-stories may be read 
 by the way in a stagecoach, but not until life has unfolded 
 to us perhaps its characters ; and so Wych Hazel did not read 
 much, and thought the ride tedious and long. When she turned 
 to her companions, Mr. Falkirk was thoughtful and silent, Mr. 
 Hollo silent and seemingly self-absorbed ; and if she looked at
 
 50 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 the other occupants of the coach, Wych Hazel immediately 
 looked out again. 
 
 The second day began under new auspices. None of their 
 former fellow travellers remained with them, save only Kollo 
 and the servants ; and the empty places were taken by a couple 
 of country women, one young and rustic, the other elderly and 
 ditto. That was all that Wych Hazel saw of them. The fact 
 that one of the women presently fell to eating gingerbread, and 
 the other molasses candy, effectually turned all Miss Kennedy's 
 attention out of doors. 
 
 The cleared country was left behind, and the coach entered 
 a region of undisturbed forest, through which it had many 
 miles to travel before reaching civilisation again. The view 
 was shut in. The trees waved overhead, and stretched along the 
 road endlessly, too thick for the eye to penetrate far. The 
 coach rumbled on monotonously. The smell of pines and other 
 green things came sweet and odorous, but the day was hot, and 
 everything was dry ; the dust rose, and the sunbeams poured 
 down. Wych Hazel languished for a change. Only a red 
 squirrel now and then reminded her what a lively life she led 
 a day or two ago. And Mr. Falkirk seemed too indifferent 
 to mind the weather, and Rollo seemed to like it ! She was 
 very weary. Taking off her hat, and leaning one hand on her 
 guardian's shoulder, she rested her head there too, looking out 
 with a sort of fascinated intentness into the hazy atmosphere, 
 which grew every moment thicker and bluer and more intensely 
 hazy. It almost seemed to take shape, to her eye, and to curl 
 and wave like some animated thing among the still pines. The 
 countrywomen were dozing now ; Mr. Kollo and Mr. Falkirk 
 mused, or possibly dozed too ; it made her restless only to look 
 at them. Softly moving off to her own corner, Wych Hazel 
 leaned out of the window. Dark and still and blue-veiled as 
 ever, the pines rose up in endless succession by the roadside, 
 a yellow carpet of dead leaves at their feet, the woodpeckers 
 busy, the squirrels at play over their work. How free they all 
 were, with what a sweet freedom ! No danger that the brown 
 rabbit darting away from his form would ever transgress pretty 
 limits ; no fear that vanity or folly or ill-temper would ever
 
 SMOKE. 51 
 
 touch the grace of those grey squirrels. As for the red ones ! 
 Miss Hazel brought her attention to the inside of the coach for 
 a minute, but the sight gave only colour and no check to her 
 musings. How strange of that particular red squirrel to follow 
 her steps as he had done the other day, to follow her steps 
 now, as she more than half suspected. What did he mean ? 
 And what did she mean by her own deportment ? Nothing, 
 she declared to herself, but that red squirrels will bite occa- 
 sionally. There swept over her, sighing from among the pine 
 trees, the breath of a vague sorrow. In all the emergencies 
 that might come, in all that future progress, also dim with its 
 own blue haze, what was she to do ? Mr. Falkirk could take 
 care of her property, who would take care of her f Deep was 
 the look of her brown eyes, close and controlling the pressure 
 of her lips ; the wrist where the three bracelets lay felt the 
 tight grasp of her other hand. 
 
 The coach rolled on, through thickening air and darkening 
 sky, air thick also with a smell of smoke, which it was odd no 
 one took note of, until the horses trotted round a sudden turn 
 of the road into the very cause of it all. The blue was spotted 
 now with faint red fire, with dull streaks as of beds of coals, 
 and little sharp points of flame. On both sides of the road, 
 creeping among the pines and leaping up into them, the fire was 
 raging. A low sound from Wych Hazel a sound rather 
 of horror than fear, yet curiously pitiful and heart-stirring 
 roused both her friends in an instant. Almost at the 
 same instant the coach came to a standstill, and Rollo jumped 
 out. 
 
 ' What's the matter, Rollo ? ' 
 
 ' Fire in the woods, sir. We must turn about, that's all.' 
 
 The elder of the two women, who had just waked up, asked 
 with a terrified face ' if there was any danger?' but nobody 
 answered her. Rollo took his seat again, at the same time the 
 horses' heads came about. 
 
 ' What are you going to do? ' she demanded. 
 
 ' We are going back a little way. There is a fire along the 
 road ahead of us, and the horses might set their feet upon some 
 hot ashes, which wouldn't be good for them.'
 
 52 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 ' But we're goin' back'ards where we come from ! Clary, 
 we're goin' back hum ! ' 
 
 * We shall turn again presently,' said Rollo ; ' have patience 
 a few minutes.' 
 
 He spoke calmly, and the women were quieted. Mr. 
 Falkirk, however, leaned back no more. He watched the hazy 
 smoke by the roadside ; he watched generally ; and now and 
 then his eye furtively turned to Wych Hazel. For some little 
 time they travelled back hopefully on their way, though the 
 smoky atmosphere was too thick to let any one forget the 
 obstacle which had turned them. It grew stifling, breathed so 
 long, and it did not clear away ; but though every one noticed 
 this, no one spoke of it to his neighbour. Then at last it began 
 to weigh down more heavily upon the forest, and visible puffs 
 and curls in the dense blue suggested that its substance was 
 becoming more palpable. 
 
 ' Rollo ! ' said Mr. Falkirk in an undertone. 
 ' Yes ! ' said the other, just as the coach again came to a 
 sudden stop, and a volley of exclamations, smothered and not 
 smothered, sounded from the coach box. Both gentlemen 
 sprang out. 
 
 ' Good patience ! ' said the older of the two women, ' it's the 
 fire agin ! it's all round us ! Oh, I wisht I hadn't a' come ! I 
 wisht I was to hum !' And she shewed the earnestness of the 
 wish by beginning to cry. Her companion sat still and turned 
 very pale. Paler yet, but with every nerve braced, Wych 
 Hazel stood in the road to see for herself. The gentlemen were 
 consulting. 
 
 The fire had closed in upon the road they had passed over an 
 hour or two before. There it was, smoking and breathing 
 along, gathering strength every minute; while a low, murmur- 
 ing roar told of its out-of- sight progress. What was to be 
 done? The driver declared, on being ^essed, that a branch 
 road the Lupin road, it was called was to his knowledge 
 but a little distance before them ; a quarter of an houi would 
 reach it. 
 
 4 Drive on then,' said Rollo, turning to put Wych Hazel in 
 the coach.
 
 SMOKE. 63 
 
 The man mumbled that he did not know whether his horses 
 would go through the fire. 
 
 '7 know. They will. We will go straight on. You are not 
 afraid?' he said, meeting Hazel's eyes for a moment. It was 
 not more than half a second, but nature's telegraph works well 
 at such instants. Wych Hazel saw an eye steady and cool, 
 which seemed to brave danger and not know confusion. He 
 saw a wistful face, with the society mask thrown by, and only 
 the girl's own childish self remaining. 
 
 ' Afraid to go on ? no,' she said ; and then felt a scarcely 
 defined smile that warmed his eyes and brow as he answered, 
 ' There is no need,' and put her into the coach. In both touch 
 and tone there lay a promise, but she had no time to think of 
 it. The coach was moving on again ; the women were very 
 frightened, and cried and moaned, by way of relieving their feel- 
 ings at the expense of other people's. Mrs. Saddler, who had 
 hitherto used only her eyes, now clasped her fingers together, 
 and fell to the muttering of short prayers over and over under 
 her breath, the urgency of which redoubled when the coach had 
 gone a little further and the tire and smoke began to wreathe 
 thicker on both sides of the road. 
 
 'There is no occasion, Mrs. Saddler,' said Mr. Falkirk some- 
 what sternly. ' Be quiet, and try to show an example of sense to 
 your neighbours.' 
 
 'Did you never say your prayers before?' said Rollo, turning 
 towards her (they sat on the same seat). He spoke half kindly, 
 half amused, but with that mingled, though ever so slightly, 
 an expression of meaning more pungent, all together overcame 
 Mrs. Saddler. She burst into a fit of tears, which nervousness 
 made uncontrollable. 
 
 ' What have I done ? ' said the young man, as the weeping 
 became general at his end of the coach. ' It is dangerous to 
 meddle with edge tools. Come, cheer up ! We shall leave all 
 this smoke behind us in a few minutes. You'll see clear 
 directly.' 
 
 His tone was so cool, the women took courage from it, and 
 ventured to use their eyes again. The stagecoach had left the 
 burning road; they were going across the woods in another
 
 54 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 direction ; the air was soon visibly more free of smoke. The 
 driver was hopeful, and sending his horses along at a good pace. 
 The shower withinside dried up ; and Eollo, throwing himself 
 back upon the seat, gazed stedfastly out of the window. Wych 
 Hazel had gazed at him while he spoke to the others, with a 
 sort of examining curiosity in her brown eyes that was even 
 amused, but now she became as intent as himself on affairs 
 outside of the coach. 
 
 For a while all was quiet. Mrs. Saddler sat in brown stupe- 
 faction after having received such rebukes, and no more apples 
 were brought forward on the front seat. The women whispered 
 together, and watched their fellow-travellers Rollo especially. 
 But at length it became evident to the keener observers of the 
 party that the air was thickening again ; the smell of burning 
 woods which filled the air was growing more pungent, the air 
 more warm ; those visible waves of the blue atmosphere began 
 to appear again. Once Mr. Falkirk leaned forward as if to 
 address Rollo ; he thought better of it, and fell back without 
 speaking. And on they went. The smell of burning and the 
 thick stifling smoke became very oppressive. 
 
 ' There's a large tract on fire, Rollo,' Mr. Falkirk remarked 
 at length. 
 
 ' Probably.' 
 
 In another minute the coach halted. Rollo put his head out 
 of the window to speak to the coachman ; and the calm tone in 
 which he asked, 'What is it?' Wych Hazel felt at the time 
 and remembered afterwards. The driver's answer was unheard 
 by all but one. Rollo threw himself out. 
 
 ' Stay where you are,' he said to Mr. Falkirk, as he shut the 
 door. l You keep order, and I'll make order.' 
 
 He went forward. The coach stood still, with that fearful 
 wreathing of blue vapour thicker and nearer around it. The 
 smell became so strong that the thought forced itself upon 
 every one, they must have come upon the fire again. The 
 women wanted to get out. Mr. Falkirk dissuaded them. 
 Wych Hazel kept absolutely still. In a moment or two Rollo 
 appeared at Mr. Falkirk's side of the coach, and spoke rather 
 low' I am going to make explorations. Keep all as you are.
 
 SMOKE. 55 
 
 Mr. Falkirk spoke lower still' Is the fire ahead? ' 
 
 The answer was not in English or FVench. Looking from 
 her window as far as she could, Wych Hazel now saw Rollo 
 cross the road and make for a tall pine which stood at a little 
 distance. She saw him throw hat and coat on the ground; 
 then, catching one of the long lithe branches, he was in a 
 moment off the ground and in the tree, yes, and making 
 determinately for the top of it. The ' red squirrel ' had not 
 learned climbing for nothing ; agile, steady, quick, he mounted 
 and mounted. She grew dizzy with looking. Mr. Falkirk had 
 not the same view. 
 
 'What's he doing? what are we waiting for? can you 
 see ? ' he asked impatiently. 
 
 ' Yes ; they are trying to find out which way to go, sir.' 
 
 Mr. Falkirk made a movement as if to get out himself ; then 
 checked it, seeing the helpless bevy of women who were depen- 
 dent on him, and now in the utmost perturbation. Standing 
 still tried their nerves. To keep order withinside the coach 
 was as much as he could attend to. Cries and moans and 
 questions of involved incoherency poured upon him. Would 
 they ever get home? would the fire catch the coach? would 
 it frighten the horses ? what were they stopping for ? were 
 some of the simplest inquiries that Mr. Falkirk had to hear and 
 answer ; in the midst of which, one of the ladies assured herself 
 and him that ' if Isaiah had come along with them they would 
 never have got into such a fix.' Mrs. Saddler Mr. Falkirk 
 peremptorily silenced ; the others he soothed as best he might. 
 And all the while Wych Hazel watched the signs without, and 
 followed the climber in the pine tree, following him in his 
 venturesome ascent and descent, which were both made with 
 no lack of daring. He was on the ground at last, swinging 
 himself from the end of a pine branch which he had compelled 
 into his service. He came straight to Mr. Falkirk, heated, but 
 mentally as cool as ever. 
 
 ' I see our way,' he said. ' I am going on the box myself. 
 Don't be concerned. I have driven a post-coach in England.' 
 
 He looked across to Wych Hazel as he spoke, and his eye 
 carried the promise again. Wych Hazel met his look, though
 
 56 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 with no answer in her own. Fear, or self-control, or something 
 back of both, made the very lines of her face still ; only a sort 
 of shiver of feeling passed over them as he said, 'Don't be 
 concerned.' All this passes in a second. Then Rollo is on the 
 box with the stage driver, and the stage is in motion again. 
 But it is motion straight on to where Wych Hazel has seen that 
 the smoke is thickest. The horses go fast, they know that 
 another hand has the reins, the ground is swiftly travelled 
 over. Now the puffs of smoke roll out round and defined from 
 the burning woodland ; and then, above the rattle of wheels 
 and tread of hoofs, is heard another sound, a spiteful snap- 
 ping and crackling, faint but increasing. Can the air be 
 borne ? It is hard to breathe ; and flame yes, flame is leap- 
 ing from the dried leaves, and curling out here and there from 
 a tree. Mrs. Saddler put her head out of the coach. 
 
 * Oh, sir 1 ' she shrieked, ' he is taking us right into it ! Oh, 
 stop him ! We'll be burned, sure ! It's all fire ! it's all fire 1 ' 
 
 The chorus of shrieks became now almost a worse storm 
 within than the tempest of fire which was raging without. 
 The women were wild. It was an awful moment for everybody. 
 The fire had full possession on both sides of the road, viciously 
 sparkling end crackling, and throwing out jets of flames and 
 volumes of smoke, threatening to dispute the way with the 
 stagecoach; yet through it lay the only way to safety. It 
 could not be borne long. The horses, urged by a hand that 
 knew how to apply all means of stimulus and spared none, 
 drew the coach along at a furious speed. The speed alone was 
 distracting to the poor women, who had never known the like ; 
 the coach seemed to them, doubtless, hastening to destruction. 
 Their shrieks were uncontrollable; and indeed no topics of 
 comfort could be urged, when manifestly they were fleeing for 
 their lives from the fire, and the fire on every side, before and 
 behind them, was threatening with fearful assertion of power 
 that they should not escape. How swiftly thoughts careered 
 through the mind of the one silent member of the company, 
 thoughts like those quick flashes of flame, those dark curls of 
 smoke. The questions she had been debating two hours before, 
 were they all to have one short, sharp answer? and what
 
 SMOKE. 57 
 
 would become of her then ? Were such days as the one before 
 yesterday for ever ended? How would it feel to be caught 
 and wreathed about like one of these pines? how would Mr, 
 Rollo feel to see it? and what if all the rest should be dead 
 there in the fire, and she only half-dead ? together with a 
 strange impatience to know the worst and endure the worst. 
 She had drawn back a little from the window, driven in by the 
 scorching air, but looked out still with both hands up to shield 
 her eyes. She did not know into what pitiful lines her mouth 
 had shaped itself, nor what faintness and sickness were creep- 
 ing over her with every breath of that smoke. The tune was 
 after all not long ; but in the thickest of the fire, when the smoke 
 literally choked up the way before the horses' eyes, the animals 
 suddenly stopped, from a furious speed, the coach came to 
 a blank standstill. A voice was heard from the coach box 
 cheering the horses, but the dead pause continued. And now, 
 when the rattle of the wheels ceased, the sweep of the fiery storm 
 could be heard and felt. A wind had risen, or more likely was 
 created by the great draught of the fire ; and its rush through 
 the woods, driving the flames before it, and catching up the 
 clouds of smoke to pile them upon the faces and throats of the 
 travellers, was with a hiss, and a fury, and a blinding which 
 came like the malice of a spiteful thing. It was almost impos- 
 sible to breathe, and yet the coach stood still 1 A half -minute 
 seemed the growth of a year. The women became frantic; Mr. 
 Falkirk kept them in the coach by the sheer exertion of force. 
 Wych Hazel in vain strained her eyes to see through the smoke 
 what the detaining cause was. 
 
 The horses had been scared at last by the fire crackling and 
 snapping in their faces, and confounded by the clouds of smoke. 
 Bewildered, they had stopped short ; and voice and whip were 
 powerless against fear. That was a moment never to be for- 
 gotten, at least by those withinside the stagecoach, who could 
 do nothing but wait and scream. 
 
 'Hush! the horses are frightened, that is all,' said Mr. 
 Falkirk. 'He's what's he doing, Wych? yes, he's blinding 
 the leaders ; that's it. There ! ' 
 
 The intense anxiety which was smothered in every one of
 
 58 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 these words, Wych Hazel long remembered. They saw as he 
 spoke, they could see Hollo at the horses' heads, going from one 
 to the other ; they saw him dimly through the smoke ; they 
 caught the light of something white in his hand. Mr. Falkirk 
 had guessed right. Then they saw Rollo throw himself postilion- 
 wise upon one of the leaders. In another moment the coach 
 moved doubtfully ; then, amid the rush and roar, they could 
 hear the cheer of their charioteer's voice, and the frightened 
 animals plunged on again. Presently, encouraged perhaps by 
 a little opening in the smoke, they dashed forward as heartily 
 as ever, and yes the smoke was less thick and the air less 
 dark, and momentarily brightening. The worst was over. 
 Surely the worst was over ; but the travellers drew breath if 
 freer yet fearfully, till the lessening cloud and disappearing fire 
 and stillness in the woods said they had left the danger 
 behind. Black, charred stems and branches began to shew 
 what had been where they now were ; little puffs of grey smoke 
 from half -consumed tufts of moss and old stumps of great trees 
 were all that was left of the army of fire that had marched 
 that way. 
 
 The horses were brought back to moderate going. A 
 quieting of the storm within accompanied the passing away of 
 the storm without. Fairly overcome now, dizzy, besides, 
 with the almost flaming current which had blown full against 
 her in that last charge through the fire, Wych Hazel drooped 
 her head lower and lower, till it rested on the sill of the 
 window ; but no one marked her just then. The women were 
 drying their eyes, and uttering little jets of excited or thankful 
 exclamation. Mr. Falkirk watched from his window what was 
 to be done next. 
 
 ' We'll have to put up, if it le onconvenient,' said the driver. 
 ' Can't ask a team to do more'n that at a time, sir. Bain't no 
 tavern, neither. But there's Siah Sullivan's ; he's got fodder 
 and food allays for a friend in need.' 
 
 ' How far is Lupin? ' called out Mr. Falkirk. ' Aren't we 
 on the Lupin road ? ' 
 
 ' Na ; it's a good bit 'tother side o' that 'ere flamin' pande- 
 mony, sir, Lupin is.'
 
 SMOKE. - 59 
 
 4 No, it isn't. I mean Lupin, where Braddock's mill used to 
 be old John Braddock'a.' 
 
 ' 'Tain't called Lupin now,' observed the driver ; ' that 'ere's 
 West Lupinus. Wai, John Braddock's there now ; it's four 
 or five mile straight ahead.' 
 
 ' We can go there,' said Rollo ; ' that will give us the best 
 chance.' 
 
 Gently they took those three or four miles. The open 
 country, to which they soon came, getting out of the woods, 
 looked very lovely and peaceful to them ; the fire had not been 
 there, and quiet sunshine lay along the fields. In the last 
 mile or two the fields gave place again to broken country ; a 
 brawling stream was heard and seen by intervals, black and 
 chafing over a rocky bed. Then the road descended sharply, 
 among thick leafage, fresh and fair, not pine needles ; and 
 finally at the bottom of the descent the stage stopped.
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 THE MILL FLOOR. 
 
 THE place was a dell in the -woods, the bottom filled -with a 
 dark, clear little lake. At the lower end of it stood the mill, 
 picturesque enough under the trees, with its great doors open- 
 ing upon the lake. On the floor within could be seen the bags 
 of flour and grain piled about, and the miller passing to and fro. 
 It was deeply still. The light came cool and green through 
 the oaks and maples and ashes ; the trickling of water was 
 heard. Dark slept the little lake, overshadowed by the leafy 
 banks which shut it in ; the only chief spot of light was the 
 miller's open door, where the sunbeams lit up his bags and 
 him. The mill-stream brawled away somewhere below ; and 
 beyond the mill the road curled away out of sight to mount 
 the hill again. This was Braddock's mill. 
 
 Mr. Falkirk got out, and then Mr. Rollo helped out the 
 women and Mrs. Saddler, who was confused out of all her pro- 
 prieties, for she pushed before her young lady ; finally, Wych 
 Hazel. 
 
 ' How do you do ? ' said he, scanning her. 
 
 Apparently the dizziness had not gone off, for she raised her 
 head and came out of the coach in the slowest and most 
 mechanical way, lifting her hand and pushing back her hair 
 with a weary sort of gesture as he spoke. So weary her face 
 was, so utterly subdued, it might have touched anybody to see 
 it. It never seemed to occur to her that the question needed 
 an answer. 
 
 ' Your best chance is the mill,' said he. ' I think you can 
 rest there. At any rate, it is your chance.' 
 
 He put her hand upon his arm and led her down the few
 
 THE MILL FLOOR. 61 
 
 steps of rocky way to the mill door. Mr. Falkirk followed. The 
 women had paired off to seek the miller's house out of sight 
 above on the bank. Only Mrs. Saddler came after Mr. Falkirk. 
 
 The mill floor was large, cool, and clean that is, in the 
 shade, and with the exception of the dust of flour on every- 
 thing. Mr. Falkirk entered into explanations with the miller, 
 while Eollo, after a brief word of leave-asking, proceeded to 
 arrange a pile of grain bags so as to form an extempore divan, 
 harder might be, and over it he spread the gentlemen's linen 
 dusters and all the travelling shawls of the party, and upon it 
 then softly placed Wych Hazel. Poor child ! she was used to 
 cushions, and in need of them, from the way she dropped down 
 among these. She had thrown off her hat, and Mr. Falkirk 
 stooped and unfastened her mantle, and softly began to pull 
 off one of her gloves. The miller's daughter a fair, plump, 
 yellow-haired damsel coining out from among the grain bins, 
 began upon the other. 
 
 ' What's happened here ? ' said she pityingly. 
 
 4 Have you anything this lady could eat ? ' was the counter 
 question. ' She is exhausted. Fire in the woods drove us out 
 of the way.' 
 
 ' Do tell ! I heerd say the woods was all afire. Why, 
 there's enough in the house, but it ain't here. We live up the 
 hill a ways. I'll start and fetch something only say what. 
 Oh, here's this, if she's fainted ! ' And, producing a very 
 amulet-looking bottle of salts, suspended round her neck by a 
 blue riband, she at ouce administered a pretty powerful whiff. 
 With great suddenness Wych Hazel laid hold of the little 
 smelling-bottle, opening her brown eyes to their fullest extent 
 aud exclaiming 
 
 ' What in the world are you all about ? ' 
 
 4 Ah I ' said Mr. Falkirk. ' Get what you can, my good girl, 
 only don't stand about it. Can you give her a glass of milk, 
 or a cup of tea ? ' 
 
 The girl left them and sprang away up the path at a rate 
 that shewed her good will, followed by Kollo. Arrived at the 
 miller's house, which proved a poor little affair, the cup of tea 
 >ta3 hastily brewed ; and Rollo, having contrived to find out
 
 62 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 pretty well the resources of the family in that as well as in other 
 lines of accommodation, and having despatched along with the 
 tea whatever he thought might stand least chance of being 
 refused, left the miller's daughter to convey it, and betook 
 himself to his own amusements. 
 
 The meal was not much ; but when it was over, Wych Hazel 
 found a better refreshment, and one even more needed just 
 then. Mrs. Saddler, at a little distance, nodded and dreamed ; 
 Mr. Falkirk also had moved off, and at least made believe rest. 
 Then did his ward take the comfort a rare one to her of 
 pouring out a mindful to somebody of her own sex and age. It 
 was only to the little miller's daughter ; yet the true honest 
 face and rapt attention made amends for all want of conven- 
 tionalities. 
 
 ' What did you get that salts for ? ' she began. 
 
 4 He said you was faint.' 
 
 ' Who is " he " ? ' 
 
 ' The gentleman I mean the young one.' 
 
 4 Ah well ! but I was holding you down by that blue 
 riband for ever so long.' 
 
 ' Yes because I had promised not to take it off,' said the 
 girl, blushing. 
 
 ' What a promise ! ' 
 
 ' Oh, but you know, ma'am I mean, it was give to me, and 
 so I promised. When folks gives you things, they always 
 expect you never to take 'em off.' 
 
 4 Do they ? ' said Wych Hazel. But then she launched forth 
 into the account of all the day's distress, electrifying her 
 listener with some of the fear and excitement so long pent up. 
 Yet the mill girl's comment was peculiar. 
 
 4 It does make a person feel very solemn to be so near to 
 death.' 
 
 ' Solemn ! ' cried Wych Hazel. 4 Is that all you would feel, 
 Phoebe?' 
 
 4 I'm not much afraid of pain, you know, ma'am ; and if the 
 fire took, it couldn't last long.' 
 
 ' But, Phoebe 1 ' she sat straight up on her floury cushions, 
 looking at the girl's quiet face, 4 what do you mean, Phoebe ? '
 
 THE MILL FLOOR. 63 
 
 She could not have told what checked the expression of her 
 growing wonder. 
 
 ' Oh, lie down, ma'am, please ! Why, I only mean,' said 
 Phoebe, speaking with perfect simplicity ' you know God calls 
 us all to die somehow ; and if He called me to die so, it wouldn't 
 make much difference. I shouldn't think of it when I'd got to 
 heaven.' 
 
 Again some undefined feeling sealed Wych Hazel's lips. She 
 lay down as she was desired, and with her hand over her eyes 
 thought and wondered and fell asleep. 
 
 For some hours thereafter the sunbeams were hardly quieter 
 than the party they lighted on the miller's floor. Wych Hazel 
 slept ; Mrs. Saddler was even more profoundly wrapped in 
 f orgetf ulness ; Mr. Falkirk sat by keeping guard. The miller's 
 daughter had run up the hill to her home for a space. As to 
 Hollo, he had not been seen. His gun was his companion, and 
 with that it was usual for him to be in the woods much of the 
 time. He came back from his wanderings, however, as the 
 day began to fall, and now sat on a stone outside the mill door, 
 very busy. The little lake at his feet still and dark, with the 
 side of the woody glen doubled in its mirror, and the sunlight 
 in the tops of the trees reflected in golden glitter from the 
 middle of the pool, was a picture to tempt the eye ; but 
 Hollo's eye, if it glanced, came back again. He was picking 
 the feathers from a bird he had shot, and doing it deftly. 
 Sauntering leisurely up, the miller approached him. 
 
 ' Now that's what I like,' he remarked, ' up to anything, 
 eh? You don't seem so much used up as the rest on 'em. 
 Even the little one talked herself to sleep at last ! ' 
 
 ' Have you got a match, Mr. miller? ' 
 
 ' No, I haven't,' said the man of flour. ' I always light my 
 pipe with a burning-glass. Won't that serve your turn ? So 
 there she sits, asleep, and my Phoebe sits and looks at her.' 
 
 ' I've something else that will serve my turn,' said the hunter, 
 applying to his gun. ' But stay : I do not care to see any more 
 fire to-day than is necessary.' And, drawing his work off to 
 a safe place, he went on to kindle tinder and make a nice little 
 fire. ' Haven't you learned how to make bread yet, Mr. miller ? '
 
 64 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 'Not a bit! ' said he, laughing. ' And when you've got a 
 wife and four daughters, you won't do much fancy cooking 
 either, I guess. But there's Phoebe ' 
 
 1 A mistake, Mr. miller,' said the fancy cook. ' Best always 
 to be independent of your wife and of everything else.' 
 And impaling his bird on a sharp splinter, he stuck it up 
 before the fire, to the great interest and amusement of the 
 miller. Another spectator also wandered out there, and she 
 was presently sent back to the mill. 
 
 4 Miss Hazel,' said Mrs. Saddler, coming to the ' divan ' where 
 the young lady and her guardian were both sitting, ' Mr. 
 Kollo says, ma'am, are you ready for him to come in ? ' 
 
 * I am awake, if that is what he means.' 
 
 ' What do you mean, Mrs. Saddler ? ' 
 
 ' If you please, sir, I am sure I don't know what I mean ; 
 but that's a very strange gentleman, Miss Kennedy. There 
 he's gone and shot a robin at least I suppose it was him, for 
 I don't know who else should have done it and his gun's 
 standing by ; and then he's gone and picked it, ma'am picked 
 the feathers off, and they're lyin' all round; and then he 
 washed it in the lake ; and he was hard to suit, for he walked a 
 good way up the lake before he found a place where he would 
 wash it ; and now he's made a fire and stuck up the bird and 
 roasted it ; and why he didn't get me or Miss miller to do it I 
 don't comprehend. And he's got plates and things, ma'am, 
 and salt, ma'am, and bread ; and that's what he means, sir ; 
 and he wants to know if you're ready. The bird's all 
 done.' 
 
 Wych Hazel looked anything but ready. She was very 
 young in the world's ways, very new to her own popularity, 
 and somehow Mrs. Saddler's story touched her sensitiveness. 
 The shy, shrinking colour and look told of what at six years 
 old would have made her hide her face under her mother's 
 apron. No such refuge being at hand, however, and she 
 obliged to face the world for herself, as soon as she had 
 despatched a very dignified message to Mr. Rollo, the young 
 lady's feeling sought relief in irritation. 
 
 ' I suppose 1 am not to blame this time, for making myself
 
 THE MILL FLOOR. 65 
 
 conspicuous, sir ! Have you given me up as a bad bargain, 
 Mr. Falkirk?' 
 
 ' It can't be helped, my dear,' said her guardian some- 
 what dryly, and soberly too. ' I think, however, it is rather 
 somebody else who is making himself conspicuous at this 
 time.' 
 
 He became conspicuous to their vision a minute after, appear- 
 ing in the mill doorway with a little dish in his hand, and 
 attended by Phoebe with other appliances ; but nothing mortal 
 could less justify Wych Hazel's sensation of shyness. With the 
 coolness of a traveller, the readiness of a hunter, and the 
 business attention of a cook or a courier, both which offices 
 he had been filling, he went about his arrangements. The 
 single chair that was in the mill was taken from Mr. Falkirk 
 and brought up to do duty as a table, with a board laid upon 
 it. On this board was set the bird, hot and savoury, on its 
 blue-edged dish ; another plate with bread and salt, and a glass 
 of water, together with a very original knife and fork, that 
 were probably introduced soon after the savages ' left.' Mrs. 
 Saddler's eyes grew big as she looked ; but Rollo and the 
 miller's girl understood each other perfectly, and wanted none 
 of her help. Well 
 
 ' Girls blush sometimes because they are alive ; ' but seeing 
 it could not be helped, as Mr. Falkirk had said, Wych Hazel 
 rallied whatever of her was grown up, and tried to do justice to 
 both the cooking and the compliment. The extreme gravity and 
 propriety of her demeanour were a little suspicious to one who 
 knew her well, and there could be no sort of question as to the 
 prettiest possible curl which now and then betrayed itself at 
 the corners of her mouth ; but Miss Kennedy had herself 
 remarkably in hand, and talked as demurely from behind the 
 breast-bone of her robin as if it had been a small mountain 
 ridge. Mr. Falkirk looked on. 
 
 4 Where did you find that, Rollo ?' 
 
 ' Somewhere within a mile of circuit, sir,' said Rollo, who 
 had taken a position of ease in the mill doorway, half lying on 
 the floor, and looking out on the lake. 
 
 ' You are a good provider.'
 
 r 
 
 66 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 4 Might have had fish, if my tackle had not been out of 
 reach. I did manage to pick up a second course, though. 
 Miss Phoebe, I think it is time for the second course ' 
 
 His action at least Phoebe understood, if not his words ; for, 
 as he sprang up and cleared the board of the relics of the robin, 
 the miller's daughter, looking as if the whole thing was a play, 
 brought out from some crib a large platter of wild strawberries 
 bordered with vine leaves, along with some bowls of very 
 good-looking milk. 
 
 4 Upon my word, Rollo ! ' said the other gentleman. 
 
 ' Ah, that touches you, Mr. Falkirk 1 You don't deserve h, 
 but you may have some. And I will be generous. Mr. Falkirk, 
 here is a wing of the robin.' 
 
 ' No, thank you,' said the other, laughing. ' Why, these are 
 fine!' 
 
 'Is the air fine out of doors, Mr. Rollo?' asked the young 
 lady. 
 
 4 Nothing can be finer.' 
 
 ' What you call " strong," sir ? ' 
 
 1 Strong as a rose or as a lark's whistle or as June sun- 
 light strong in a gentle way. I don't admire things that are 
 too strong.' 
 
 ' Things that you think ought to be weak 1 But I was try- 
 ing to find out whether your private collation of air could have 
 taken away your appetite.' 
 
 4 1 think not ; I haven't inquired after it. But now that you 
 speak of the matter, I think it must have been bread and 
 cheese.' 
 
 ' And I suppose you tried the strawberries just to see if 
 they were ripe.' 
 
 * No, I didn't ; but I will now.' And, coming to Wyeh 
 Hazel's side, he proceeded to help her carefully, and to put a 
 bowl of milk in suggestive proximity to her right hand ; then, 
 taking a handful himself, he stood up and went on talking to 
 Mr. Falkirk. 
 
 4 What is your plan of proceeding, sir ? ' 
 
 4 1 don't know,' said Mr. Falkirk. 'I am puzzled. The 
 coach goes back to-morrow morning to the foot of the moun-
 
 THE MILL FLOOR. 67 
 
 tain. There is no object in our making such a circuit, if we 
 could get on from here, besides the fact that none of us want 
 to go over the ground again ; but to get on from here seems 
 out of the question.' 
 
 ' It seems to me to stay here is out of the question,' observed 
 Rollo. 
 
 ' I don't see how to help it for one night. The only sole 
 vehicle here is Mr. miller's little waggon, and that will hold 
 but two.' 
 
 ' So I understand. Those strawberries are not bad 1' he said, 
 appealing to Wych Hazel. 
 
 ' A very mild form of praise, Mr. Rollo, harmless and 
 inoffensive, to berries. What will you do, then, Mr. Falkirk, 
 seeing there are five of us ? ' 
 
 ' I am in a strait. Could you spend the night here in any 
 tolerable comfort, Wycb, do you suppose ? ' 
 
 ' I am at a loss to understand your system of arithmetic,' 
 observed Rollo. 
 
 ' Simple addition. I suppose, sir, I could spend the night 
 where other human creatures can. And as I shall take Phoebe 
 with me when I go, will you please arrange with her father ? 
 I told her she could have what wages she liked.' 
 
 ' What shall I arrange with her father, Miss Hazel ? ' 
 
 ' Why, anything he wants arranged, sir, what the wages 
 shall be.' 
 
 ' Your scheme of travel may be continued to any extent, 
 Miss Hazel, if you continue to do business on an equally logical 
 plan.' 
 
 She laughed a good, honest, merry little laugh, but further 
 direct reply made none. 
 
 * That puff of displeasure blows me fairly away ! ' she said, 
 jumping up and floating off to the mill door, like any thistle- 
 down, on the tips of her toes. 
 
 'Is it possible to make any comfortable arrangement 
 for her at the miller's house ? ' Mr. Falkirk asked in a low 
 tone. 
 
 4 Not if she be " true princess," ' said Rollo, with a smile. 
 4 There would be more than a few vegetables between Miss
 
 68 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 Kennedy and comfort.' He hesitated, and then suddenly 
 asked Wych if she were tired. 
 
 Certainly her face told of some fatigue, but the busy spirit 
 was unconquered, and she said, ' No, not very much.' 
 
 ' I am going on to Dr. Maryland's myself, with the miller's 
 horse and waggon, which I engaged provisionally. If Miss 
 Kennedy will trust herself to me, perhaps it would be less 
 wearisome than to stay here ; and it would make a jubilee at 
 Dr. Maryland's, as you know, sir. I will send the waggon back 
 for you to-morrow, in that case.' 
 
 ' It is for her to say,' Mr. Falkirk answered rather gloomily. 
 ' It is a day of adventures, Wych. Will you go to meet them, 
 or will you wait for them? There's no escape either way.' He 
 smiled a little at his ward as he spoke, but her eyes spoke back 
 only amazement. 
 
 ' I shall stay with you, sir, of course.' Clearly Miss Kennedy 
 thought her guardian had taken leave of his senses. 
 
 ' What if you take the waggon to Dr. Maryland's, then, sir? 
 Miss Kennedy can hardly spend the night here, even a twenty- 
 five mile drive is better.' 
 
 But Mr. Falkirk had reasons of his own for negativing that 
 plan, and negatived it accordingly. 
 
 ' Go with me, then,' said Rollo, turning to Wych Hazel. ' I 
 will take care of you.' And he said it with something of the 
 smile which had met her before, power and promise together. 
 
 * Why, I am not afraid,' she said, half laughing, yet half shyly 
 too, thinking with herself how strange the day had been, 
 since until yesterday Mr. Rollo had scarcely paid her ordinary 
 attention, since until then Mr. Falkirk had always been the 
 one to care for her so carefully. She felt oddly alone, standing 
 there by them both, looking out with her great brown eyes 
 steadily into the setting sunshine, and a wistful air of thought- 
 taking replaced the smile. 
 
 Rollo remarked that there was but one unoccupied bed in the 
 miller's house, and that one, he knew, was laid upon butternuts. 
 
 Mr. Falkirk had been watching his ward. He drew near, 
 and put her hand upon his arm, looking and speaking with 
 grave tenderness.
 
 THE MILL FLOOR. 69 
 
 ' You shall do as you list, my dear. I cannot advise you, 
 for I do not know which would be worse, the fatigue of going, 
 or the fatigue of staying. You must judge. Dr. Maryland 
 will receive you as his own child, if you go ; and I will keep 
 you as my own child, if you stay,' he added, after a second's 
 hesitation. 
 
 ' Yes, sir, I know. I think I shall stay. I don't think I can 
 go, Mr. Rollo. And as for the butternuts,' she added, recover- 
 ing her spirits the moment the decision was made, ' any one 
 who likes to sleep on them may. I shall play mouse among 
 the meal-bags.' 
 
 ' Then I will do what I can to get you out of your difficulties 
 to-morrow. I hope the play will not include sleeplessness, 
 which is my idea of a mouse.' 
 
 He offered his hand, clasped hers, lifted his hat, and was 
 gone.
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 CATS. 
 
 WITH the departure of the more stirring member of the com- 
 pany, Miss Wych had subsided, and in that state could feel 
 that she was tired. She sat in the doorway of the mill. It waa 
 after sundown, still, bright, sweet, and fair, as after sundown 
 in June can be; the sky all aglow still with cooler lights; 
 in the depth of the hollow the morsel of a lake had a dark 
 shining of its own, like a black diamond, or a green jasper 
 with the light off. Mrs. Saddler was gone up the hill with 
 Phoebe, to get her share of hospitality. Mr. Falkirk had 
 supped on the remains of the strawberries and milk, and would 
 have nothing more. Guardian and ward were alone. The 
 stillness of summer air floated down from the tree-tops, and 
 did not stir the lake. 
 
 ' Wych, how do you like seeking your fortune ? I am curious 
 to be informed.' 
 
 ' Thank you, sir. The finding to-day has gone so far beyond 
 my expectations, that I am willing to rest the pursuit till to- 
 morrow.' 
 
 ' Fortune and you clasp hands rather roughly at first setting 
 out. But what do you think of the train she has brought with 
 her in these seven days ? ' 
 
 'What train, sir?' 
 
 ' I asked you what you thought of it. Answer straight, like 
 a good child.' 
 
 ' It's a wonderful train, if it has made a good child of me,' 
 she answered, with a half laugh. ' Do you mean of people, or 
 events, sir ? ' 
 
 ' The events are left behind, child ; the people follow.'
 
 CATS. 71 
 
 1 Will they? ' said Wych Hazel, 'Dr. Maryland and all? 
 Mr. Kingsland might stay behind, nobody will ever want 
 him.' 
 
 ' All the rest have your good leave ! ' said Mr. Falkirk, with 
 an expression, Wych could not tell what sort of an expression, 
 it was so complicated. ' Do you think it is an easy office I have 
 to fill ? ' he went on. 
 
 ' May be not, sir. I thought you seemed very ready to give 
 it up. I have felt like stray baggage to-day.' 
 
 'How do you suppose I am to guard you from so many 
 enemies ? ' 
 
 ' Keady to send me round the country with the first knight- 
 errant that starts up!' said the girl in an aggrieved voice. 
 ' And if 1 had proposed such a thing ! ' 
 
 ' My dear,' said Mr. Falkirk, ' you would have been perfectly 
 safe at Dr. Maryknd's, and much better off than in this old 
 mill. I am not sure but I ought to have made you go.' 
 
 ' What did you mean by " enemies " just now, Mr. Falkirk ? ' 
 
 ' There's an old proverb,' said Mr. Falkirk, with a quirl of 
 his lips, ' that "a cat may look at a king ; " and no doubt it 
 is a queen's liability. But how am I to guard you from the 
 teeth and the claws ? ' 
 
 ' My dear sir, very few cats are dangerous. I am not much 
 afraid of being scratched.' 
 
 ' Have you any idea how many of your grimalkins are coming 
 to Chickaree this summer ?' 
 
 4 No, sir. The more the better ; for then they will have full 
 occupation for their claws without me.' 
 
 ' Ah, my dear,' said Mr. Falkirk, ' don't you know that the 
 cat gets within springing distance before the claws are shewn?' 
 
 ' Yes, sir ; but you are presupposing a stationary mouse. 
 Pray, how many fierce, soft-pawed, sharp-clawed monsters 
 preside over your ideas at present? ' 
 
 ' Six or seven,' said Mr. Falkirk, with the utmost gravity. 
 ' Fortune has come upon you suddenly, Wych.' 
 
 It was very pretty the way she laughed and flushed. 
 
 ' They are not all troubled with whiskers, sir, my kind 
 medical friend, for instance.'
 
 72 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 4 You think so ! Pray, in your judgment, what is he then ? ' 
 ' Not a cat, sir, and yet no lion. Mr. Rollo calls him a 
 
 Of what?' (dryly enough). 
 
 I rebuked him for the expression, sir, but did not inquire 
 its meaning.' 
 
 ' Do you suppose the English traveller, Mr. Shenstone, will 
 come to Chickaree this summer for the purpose of inspecting 
 the Morton manufactories ? ' 
 
 ' Let us 'ope not, sir. Mr. Morton will, for his home is just 
 there ; he told me so.' 
 
 ' And young Nightingale has it in his mind to spend a good 
 deal of the summer at his aunt's, Mme. Lasalle's, for he told 
 me so. I saw him in town.' 
 
 * Mr. Falkirk, you are not a bit like yourself to-day. Are all 
 men cats, sir ? ' (very gravely). 
 
 ' My dear, most men are, when they see a Chickaree mouse in 
 their path.' 
 
 ' Poor little me ! ' said Wych Hazel, laughing. She was silent 
 a minute, then went cheerfully on ' I know, Mr. Falkirk, I 
 shall depend upon you ! "We're in a fairy tale, you remember, 
 sir, and you must be the three dogs.' 
 
 1 Will you trust me, Wych, when I take such a shape to your 
 eyes?' 
 
 ' Do you remember,' she said, not heeding, ' the first one 
 with eyes like saucers, looking so ! and the next with eyes 
 like mill wheels so! and the next with eyes like the full 
 moon!' At which point Miss Hazel's own eyes were worth 
 looking at. 
 
 ' You do not answer me, I observe. Never mind ! A 
 woman's understanding, I have frequently observed, developes 
 like a prophecy.' 
 
 The night in the mill was better, on the whole, than it pro- 
 mised. No sound awoke Wych Hazel, till little messengers of 
 light came stealing through every crack and knot-hole of the 
 old mill, and a many-toed dorking near by Lad six times pro- 
 claimed himself the first cock in creation, let the other be who 
 he would 1
 
 CATS. 73 
 
 To open her eyes was to be awake, with Wych Hazel ; and 
 softly she stepped along the floor and out on the dewy path to 
 the lake side, and there stood splashing her hands in the water 
 and the water over her face, with intense satisfaction. The 
 lake was perfectly still, disturbed only by the dip of a king- 
 fisher or the spring of a trout. She stood there musing over 
 the last day and the last week, starting various profound ques- 
 tions, but not stopping to run them down, then went meander- 
 ing back to the mill again. On her way she came to a spot in 
 the grass where there was a sprinkling of robin's feathers. 
 Wych Hazel stopped short, looking at them, smiling to herself, 
 then suddenly stooped and chose out three or four, and went 
 back with quick steps to the mill. 
 
 Bread and tea were had in the open air, with the seasoning 
 of the June morning. The stagecoach rumbled off by the road 
 it had come, bearing with it the two countrywomen, and leaving 
 a pile of baggage for Chickaree. The miller came down and 
 set his mill agoing, excusing himself to his guests by saying 
 that there was a good lot of corn to be ground, and the people 
 would be along for it. So the mill became no longer a place 
 of rest, and Miss Hazel and her guardian were driven out into 
 the woods by the rumble and dust and jar of machinery. Do 
 what they would, it was a long morning to twelve o'clock, when 
 the mill ceased its rumble, and the miller went home to his 
 dinner, and the weary and warm loiterers came back to the 
 shade of the mill floor. Then the sound of wheels was heard 
 at last, the first that had broken the solitude that day, and 
 presently, at the mill door, Hollo presented himself, looking 
 as if sunshine agreed with him. He shook hands with Mr. 
 Falkirk, but gave Wych Hazel his old stately salutation. 
 
 ' I could not come sooner,' he said. ' I did my best ; but it 
 is thirty miles instead of twenty-five. How was the night ? ' 
 
 ' Sadly oblivious and uneventful.' 
 
 ' Mine wasn't, for I was getting dinner for you in my dreama 
 all night long. Being dependent on other people's resources, 
 you see. However, I had a good little friend to help me.' 
 
 ' What carriage have you brought for us, Rollo ? ' 
 
 ' Dr. Maryland's rockaway, sir, and the miller's waggon for
 
 74 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 the trunks. To get anything else would have made much more 
 delay. Is my friend Phoebe here?' 
 
 ' She will be soon. It is dinner-time in the mill. What do 
 you want, Mr. Rollo ?' 
 
 ' Three words and a little assistance.' 
 
 He went off, and in a little while was back again, accom- 
 panied by Phoebe and plates and glasses, and the two went on 
 to set forth the dinner, which he drew from a great basket that 
 had come in the rockaway. All this was done, and order given 
 at the same time to other matters, with the light-handed 
 promptitude and readiness of the bird-roasting yesterday, 
 Rollo assuring Wych Hazel between whiles that travelling 
 was a very good thing if you took enough of it. 
 
 * Thirty miles this morning, and thirty last night ; and how 
 many yesterday morning? a hundred, I should say, by my 
 measurement.' 
 
 'Rollo, what a dinner you have brought us!' said Mr. 
 Falkirk, who maintained a quiet and passive behaviour. 
 
 ' You cannot set off for some hours yet, sir ; the horses must 
 have rest. I believe but am not sure that somebody got 
 up very early this morning to make that pie. I told them I 
 had left some friends in distress ; and Primrose and I did what 
 we could. I realized this morning what must be the position 
 of a commissary-general on a rapid march.' 
 
 The provision on the board called for no excuses. Rollo 
 served everybody, even Mrs. Saddler, and afterwards dispensed 
 strawberries of much larger growth than those of the day 
 before. He was the impersonation of gay activity as long as 
 there was anything to do, and then he subsided into ease- 
 taking. The smoke of a cigar did not indeed offend Miss 
 Kennedy's mill door ; but in a luxurious position under a tree 
 at some distance the sometime smoker settled himself with his 
 sketch-book, and seemed to be comfortably busy at play till it 
 was time for moving. 
 
 Wych Hazel had been in an altogether quiet mood since the 
 arrival of the rockaway. In that mood she had watched the 
 unpacking of the basket; in that mood she had eaten her 
 dinner. It was strange, even to herself, the sort of quietus
 
 CATS. 75 
 
 which Mr. Rollo was to her. Not feeling free to play with 
 him, by no means disposed to play before him, she had ven- 
 tured to offer her services no further than by asking what he 
 wanted ; then left him to himself, oddly conscious all the while 
 that if it had been any other one of her new feline friends, she 
 would have put her little hand into the business and the basket 
 with pleasant effect. So she sat still and watched him, giving 
 a bit of a smile now and then, indeed, to his direct remarks, 
 but as often only a fuller look of the brown eyes. Since the 
 gentleman had been under the tree, she had been idly busy 
 with her own thoughts, having sketched herself tired in the 
 morning. 'Prim' she recognised at once, Dr. Maryland's 
 sister ; she had often heard him speak of her. Would she be 
 a friend? any one to whom these many thoughts might come 
 out? So Wych Hazel sat, gazing out upon the lengthening 
 shadows, leaning her head somewhat wearily in her hand, 
 wishing the journey over, and herself on her own vantage 
 ground at Chickaree. It would be such a help to be mistress of 
 the house ! for these last two days she had been nothing but a 
 brown parcel, marked ' fragile with care.
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 CIIICKAKEE. 
 
 ROLLO had driven the rockaway down, and was going to drive 
 back. He put "Wych Hazel into the carriage, recommending 
 to her to lean back in the corner, and go to sleep. Phoebe 
 was given the place beside her. Mr. Falkirk mounted to the 
 front seat, and off they drove. 
 
 It was about four o'clock of a fine June day, and the air 
 was good to breathe ; but the way was nothing extraordinary. 
 A pleasant country nothing more ; easy roads for an hour, 
 then heavier travelling. 
 
 The afternoon wore on ; the miles were plodded over. As the 
 sun was dipping towards the western horizon, they came into 
 scenery of new quality, at once more wild and more dressed, 
 the ground bolder and more rocky in parts, but between filled 
 with gentler indications. The rockaway drew up. The driver 
 looked back into the carriage, while the other gentleman got 
 down. 
 
 ' Miss Kennedy, if you will change places with Mr. Falkirk 
 now, you will be rewarded. I have something here a great deal 
 better than that book.' 
 
 ' I have not been reading ; I have been watching for land- 
 marks for some time,' she said, as she made the change. 
 'But I think I can never have gone to Chickaree by this 
 road.' 
 
 The change was great. However fair it had looked from 
 withinside, as soon as she got out on the front seat, "Wych 
 Hazel found that a flood of bright slant sunbeams were search- 
 ing out all the beauty there was in the land, and winning it 
 into view. It was one of those illuminated hours that are to
 
 CHICKAREE. 77 
 
 the common day as an old painted and jewelled missal to an 
 ordinary black letter. 
 
 ' Is it better than your book ? ' said the charioteer, whose 
 reins were clearly only play to him, and who was much more 
 occupied with his companion. She glanced round at him with 
 the very June evening in her eyes, dews and sunbeams and 
 all. 
 
 ' Better than most of the books that ever were written, I 
 suppose. But the book was not bad, Mr. Rollo.' 
 
 I What book was it? to be mentioned in the connection.' 
 ' I promessi Sposi.' 1 
 
 ' Unknown to me. Give me an idea of it, while we are 
 getting up this hill ; there'll be something else to talk of after- 
 wards.' 
 
 'Two people are betrothed, and proceed to get into all 
 manner of difficulties. That is the principal idea so far. I 
 haven't come to the turn of the story, which takes the thread 
 out of its tangle.' 
 
 ' A very stupid idea ! Yet you said the book was not a bad 
 book?' he said, looking gravely round upon her. 
 
 ' No, indeed. And the idea is not stupid in the book I 
 mean because the people could not help themselves, and so 
 you get interested for them.' 
 
 ' Do you get interested in people who cannot help them- 
 selves.' 
 
 4 Yes, I think so, always, people who cannot in the impossible 
 sense, not those who don't know or won't try. But my words 
 did not mean just that. I should have said, help it help being 
 in difficulties.' 
 
 I 1 believe people can get out of difficulties,' said Rollo. 
 ' "What was the matter with these ? ' 
 
 ' Oh, the difficulties were piled on their heads by other people. 
 
 Lucia was a peasant, but she was " si bella" that one of the 
 
 grandees wanted to get her away from Rengo.' 
 * I don't see the difficulties yet. What next ? ' 
 ' No, of course you don't 1 ' said Wych, wanning in defence 
 
 of the book. ' But if some Don Rodrigo forbade somebody to 
 
 marry you, and then sent a party to run away with your
 
 78 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 bride, so that she had to go into a convent, and you wander 
 round the world in ill-humour, I daresay your clearness of 
 vision would improve.' 
 
 ' I daresay it would,' said Rollo, passing a hand over his 
 eyes. ' I think it would have to grow worse, before all those 
 events could happen. But on the highest round of that ladder 
 of impossibilities, I think I should see my way into the con- 
 vent, and escape the ill-humour.' 
 
 ' But Lucia would not be shut up from you, but from the 
 grandee. It would only make matters worse to bring her out.' 
 
 ' Not for me,' said Rollo. ' It might for the book, because, 
 as you say, then the interest would be gone. Do you think 
 the people in a book are real people, while you are reading 
 it?' 
 
 ' Not quite ; they might have been real. I don't feel just 
 as I should, if I know they were.' 
 
 'In that case the interest would be less?' he said, with a 
 laughing look. 
 
 'Yes, or at least different. There are so many things to 
 qualify your interest in real living people.' 
 
 ' Yes. For instance, in real life the people who cannot help 
 being in difficulties never interest me as much as the people 
 who get out of them ; and so I think most novels are stupid, 
 because the men and women are all real to me. There ! ' he 
 said, pulling up as they reached the top of an ascent, ' there 
 are no difficulties in your way here. What do you think of 
 that?' 
 
 The hill-top gave a wide view over a rich, cultivated, in- 
 habited country. Its beauty was in the wide generous eye 
 view and the painter's colours that decked it, for which broken 
 ground in front and distant low hills gave play to the slant 
 sunbeams. Warm, rich, inviting looked every inch of those 
 widespread square miles. 
 
 'Do you know where you are?' said he in an enjoying 
 tone. 
 
 ' I suppose near home ; but it's not familiar yet.' 
 
 'No, you are some miles from home. Over there to the 
 west lies Dr. Maryland's; but you can't see it in this light,
 
 CHICKAREE. 79 
 
 it's two miles away. Do you see further to the north, stand- 
 ing high on a hill, a white house-front that catches the sun?' 
 
 'Yes.' 
 
 ' Mrae. Lasalle's, Moseheloo. It'3 a pretty place, nothing 
 like Chickaree ! When we reach the next turning, you will 
 catch a glimpse of Crocus in the other direction. Do you know 
 what Crocus is?' 
 
 ' Oh yes, the village. Our house was brown, I remember 
 that ; and as you go up the hill, Mr. Falkirk's cottage is just 
 by the roadside. Did you tell them to leave Mrs. Saddler 
 there?' 
 
 ' She will tell them herself, I fancy. Crocus is the place 
 where you will be expected to buy sugar and spice. It is some 
 four miles from Chickaree on that side, and we are about five 
 miles from it on this ; ' and as he spoke he set the horses in 
 motion. ' I sent on a rescript to Mrs. Bywank, bidding her on 
 her peril be in order to receive you this evening. Mrs. 
 Bywank and I are old acquaintances,' he said, looking at Wych 
 Hazel. 
 
 ' Dear Mrs. Bywank ! how good she used to be ! I haven't 
 seen her but once since I left home. I'm sure you have a great 
 many worse acquaintances, Mr. Rollo.' 
 
 ' I am at a loss to understand how you can be sure of that ; 
 but I have some better. Miss Kennedy, I want you to give 
 me a boon. Say you will do it.' 
 
 ' I'll hear it first.' 
 
 ' Will you? that's fair, I suppose. But if we were better 
 friends, I should not be satisfied without a blank cheque put 
 into my hands for me to fill up. However, as I am not to 
 have that honour on the present occasion, I will explain. Let 
 me be the one to introduce you, some day, to one of your 
 neighbours, whom you do not remember, because she came here 
 since you went away. Will you ? ' 
 
 .' Why, yes, of course, if you wish it ; only I will not be re- 
 sponsible for any accidental introduction that may take place 
 first.' 
 
 ' I will,' said Eollo. ' Then it is a bargain ? I shall ask half 
 a day's excursion for it.'
 
 80 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 ' That is as much of a supplement as a woman's postscript, 
 Mr. Rollo. However, I suppose it is safe to let you ask what 
 you like.' 
 
 ' You give it to me ?' 
 
 'Maybe.' 
 
 ' Then it is a bargain,' said he, smiling. ' Here is my hand 
 upon it.' 
 
 She laughed, looked round at him rather wonderingly, but 
 gave her hand, remarking, ' But you know I have the right to 
 change my mind three times.' 
 
 There is a curious language in the touch of hands, saying 
 often inexplicably what the coarser medium of words would be 
 powerless to say ; revealing things not meant to be discovered ; 
 and also conveying sweeter, finer, more intimate touches of 
 feeling and mood than tongue could tell if it tried. "Wych 
 Hazel remembered this clasp of her hand, and felt it as often 
 as she remembered it. There was nothing sentimental. It 
 was only a frank clasp, in which her hand for a moment was 
 not her own ; and though the clasp did not linger, for that 
 second's continuance it gave her an indescribable impression, 
 she could hardly have told of what. It was not merely the 
 gentleness, she could not separate from that the notion of 
 possession, and of both as being in the mind to which the 
 hand was an index. But such a thought passes as it comes. 
 Something else in those five minutes brought the colour flitting 
 about her face, coming and going as if ashamed of itself ; but 
 with it all she was intensely amused. She was not sentimental, 
 nor even serious ; and the girlish, light heart danced a pas seul 
 to such a medley of tunes, that it was a wonder how she could 
 keep step with them all. 
 
 ' What do you expect to see at Chickaree ? ' 
 
 ' Birds," trees, and horses ; and Mr. Falkirk, didn't you say 
 there would be cats ? ' 
 
 4 Let him alone ; he is deep in your book,' said Rollo, as Mr. 
 Falkirk made some astonished response. ' I meant, what do 
 you remember of the place ? We are almost at the gate.' 
 
 ' 111 tell you nothing yet. Ah ! ' 
 
 Through some lapse in the dense woodland there gleamed
 
 CHICKAREE. 81 
 
 upon them, as they swept on, the top of an old tower where 
 the sunbeams lay at rest ; and from the top, its white staff 
 glittering with light, floated the heavy folds of a deep blue 
 flag, not at rest there, but curling and waving and shaking out 
 their white device, which was however too far off to be dis- 
 tinguished. She had said she would tell him, but she never 
 spoke. After that one little cry, so full of tears and laughter, 
 he heard nothing but one or two sobs, low and choked down. 
 Now the lodge, nestling like an acorn under a great oak tree, 
 came in sight first, then the massive piers of the gate. The 
 gate was wide open ; but while the little undergrowth of 
 children started up and took possession of window and door 
 and roadside, the gate was held by the head of the house, a 
 sturdy, middle-aged American. Wych Hazel had leaned out, 
 watching the children ; but as the carriage turned through 
 the gateway, and she saw this man standing there uncovered, 
 caught the working of his brown, weather-beaten face, she 
 bowed her head indeed in answer to his low salutation, 
 but then dropped her face in her hands in a perfect passion of 
 weeping. It came and went like a summer storm, and again 
 she was looking intently. Now past Mr. Falkirk's white domi- 
 cile, where her glittering eyes flashed round upon him the 
 ' Welcome home 1 ' which her lips spoke but unsteadily. Then 
 on, on, up the hill, the thick trees hiding the sunset and brush- 
 ing the carriage with leafy hands. It seemed to Mr. Rollo that, 
 still as the very fingers of his companion were, he could almost 
 feel the bound of her spirit. Then out on a little platform of 
 the road ; and there he did not know why she leaned forward 
 so eagerly, till he saw across the dell the shining of white 
 marble. 
 
 He watched her, but drove on without making the least 
 call upon her attention. The views opened and' softened 
 as they drew near the house. The trees here had been 
 more thinned out, and were by consequence larger. The 
 carriage passed from one great shadow to another, with the 
 thrushes ringing out their clear music, and the wild roses 
 breathing upon the evening air. From out the forest came 
 wafts of dark, dewy coolness ; overhead the clouds revelled in 
 F
 
 82 WTCH HAZEL 
 
 splendour. Tip still the horses went ever ascending, but 
 slowly, for the ascent was steep. The delay the length of the 
 drive tried her. She sat up again; she had been quietly 
 leaning back. Once or twice her head went up with a quick 
 movement, to drive back the feeling that was passing limits. 
 Then, gaining level ground once more, the horses sprang for- 
 ward, and in the falling twilight they swept round before the 
 house. Except the tower, it was but two stories high, the 
 front stretching along, along, with wide, low steps running 
 from end to end. In unmatched glee, Dingee stood on the 
 carriage-way shewing his teeth. On the steps, striving in vain 
 to clear her eyes so that she might see, was Mrs. Bywank, her 
 kindly figure, which each succeeding year had gently developed, 
 robed in her state dress of black silk. 
 
 Taking advantage of her outside position, regardless of 
 steps as of wheels, "Wych Hazel vanished from the carriage, it 
 was hard to say how, as difficult as it would have been to 
 guess by what witchcraft a person of Mrs. Bywank's propor- 
 tions could be spirited through the doorway, out of sight, in a 
 twinkling of time. Yet it was done, and the steps were empty. 
 
 The hill at Chickaree was steepest on the side towards the 
 west, and down that slope an opening had been cut through 
 the trees, a sort of pathway for the sunbeams. The direct 
 rays were gone, and only the warm sky- glow brightened the 
 hall door when the young mistress of the place once more 
 appeared. She stood still a moment, and went back again ; and 
 then came Dingee. 
 
 'Miss Hazel say, sar, room's ready, and supper won't be 
 long. Whar Mass' Rollo ? ' 
 
 ' I suppose he'll be here directly.' 
 
 Mr. Falkirk did not go into the house immediately : he stood 
 with folded arms waiting, or watching the fading red glow of 
 the western sky. In about ten minutes the tramp of horses' 
 feet heralded the coming of Mr. Rollo, who appeared from the 
 corner of the house mounted on an old grey cob, who switched 
 his tail and moved his ears as if he thought going out at that 
 time of day a peculiar proceeding. Dingee stayed the rider 
 with the delivery of his young lady's message.
 
 CHICKAREE. 83 
 
 'I'm afraid supper's more than ready somewhere else. I 
 can't stay, my friend ; my thanks to the lady.' And, letting 
 fall on the little dark figure who stood at his stirrup a gold 
 piece and a smile, Eollo passed him, bent a moment to speak 
 to Mr. Falkirk, and brought the grey cob's ideas to a head by 
 setting him off at a good pace. Mr. Falkirk turned and went 
 up the low steps into a short, broad hall, and opened a door at 
 the right. 
 
 The room was large, opening by glass doors upon a wilder- 
 ness of grass, trees, and flowers. At every corner glass cup- 
 boards showed a stock of rare old china. A long sideboard 
 was brilliant and splendid with old silver. Dark cabinet ware 
 furnished but not encumbered the room. In the centre, a 
 table looked all of hospitality and welcome that a table can. 
 There was a great store of old-fashioned elegance and comfort 
 in Wych Hazel's home, no doubt of it ; of old-fashioned state, 
 too, and old-time respectability, to which numberless old-time 
 witnesses stood testifying on every hand ; from the teapot, the 
 fashion of which was a hundred years ancient, to the uncouth 
 brass andirons in the big fireplace. Mr. Falkirk came in as 
 one to whom it was all very wonted and well known. The 
 candles were not lit. A soft, dying, ruddy light from the west 
 reddened the great mirror over the fireplace, and gave back 
 the silver sideboard in it. Not till the clear notes of a bugle 
 the Chickaree tea-bell had wound about the old house, 
 awakening sweet echoes, did Wych Hazel make her appearance. 
 
 ' Supper mos' as good hot as de weather,' remarked Dingee. 
 ' Mas' Rollo, he say he break his heart dat his profess'nal 
 duties tears him 'way.' 
 
 ' Dingee, go down-stairs ! ' said Miss Hazel, turning upon 
 him ; 'and when you tell stories about Mr. Rollo, tell them to 
 himself, and not to me. Will you come to tea, sir ? '
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 VIXEN. 
 
 THE birds were taken by surprise next morning. Long before 
 Mr. Falkirk was up, before the house was fairly astir with ser- 
 vants, there was a new voice in their concert, one almost as 
 busy and musical as their own. Keo Hartshorne, the sturdy 
 gardener and lodge-keeper, thought so, listening with wonder 
 to hear what a change it made. Wych Hazel had found him 
 out planting flowers for her, and with his hand taken in both 
 hers, had finished the half-begun recognition of last night. 
 Now she stood watching him as he plied his spade, refreshing 
 his labour with a very streamlet of talk, flitting round him and 
 plucking flowers like a humming-bird supplied with fingers. 
 The servants passing to and fro about their work smiled to each 
 other ; Mrs. By wank came by turns to the door to catch a look 
 or a word ; Reo himself lifted his brown hand and made believe 
 it was to brush away the perspiration. Another observer who 
 had come upon the scene observed it very passively, a girl, a 
 small girl, in the dress of the poor, and with the dull eyes of 
 observance which often mark the children of the poor. They 
 expressed nothing, but that they looked. 
 
 4 Good morning, child !' said Miss Hazel. ' Do you want me 
 to give you a bunch of flowers ? ' 
 
 'No.' 
 
 'What then?' 
 
 ' Mammy sent me to see if the lady was come.' 
 
 ' Who is mammy ? and what does she want ? ' said Wych 
 Hazel, cutting more rosebuds and dropping them into her 
 apron. 
 
 ' Mammy wants to see the lady.'
 
 VIXEN. 85 
 
 ' Well, is she coming to see me ? ' 
 
 ' She can't come.' 
 
 'Why not?' a quick shower of laughter and dewdrops, 
 called down by a fruitless spring after a spray of white roses. 
 
 ' She lays abed,' said the child, after the shower was over. 
 
 ' Oh, is she sick ? ' with a sudden gravity. ' Then I will come 
 and see her. Where does she live ? ' 
 
 The child went away as soon as sure arrangements were made 
 for the fulfilment of the promise. Wych Hazel's first visitor I- 
 one of the two classes sure to find her out with no delay. And 
 Miss Kennedy was about as well versed in the one as in the 
 other. 
 
 The summons came to her to attend the breakfast room. Mr. 
 Falkirk was there, fixed in an easy chair and pamphlet ; the 
 morning stir had not reached him. 
 
 ' How long do we remain at Chickaree ? ' he asked, as he 
 buttered his muffin. 
 
 ' Why, dear Mr. Falkirk, you might as well ask me how long 
 gentlemen will wear their present becoming style of head- 
 dress ! I don't know.' 
 
 ' I gather that it would not be safe to order post-horses im- 
 mediately for departure. The question remains Would it be 
 safe to order other horses for the stable at home ? One or the 
 other thing it is absolutely necessary to do.' 
 
 'The other horses, sir, by all means; and especially my 
 pony carriage.' 
 
 ' I shall have to have one built to order,' remarked Mr. 
 Falkirk, after the pause of half an egg. 
 
 ' And have it lined with blue to set me off.' 
 
 ' With a dickey behind to set me on.' 
 
 'No, indeed ! I'll have Dingee for an outrider, and then we'll 
 be a complete set of Brownies. You must order quick-footed 
 horses for me, Mr. Falkirk. I may be reduced to the fate of 
 the Galmuck girls.' 
 
 A single dark flash was in Mr. Falkirk's glance ; but he only 
 said, ' Who is to have the first race, my dear ? ' 
 
 ' Mr. Falkirk, you should rather be anxious as to who will 
 have the last. But get me a fast horse, sir, and let me practise ;'
 
 86 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 and, flitting away from the table and about the room, Miss 
 Hazel sang 
 
 ' The lady stude on the castle wa', 
 
 Beheld baith dale and down ; 
 Then she was ware of a host of men 
 
 Came ryding towards the town. 
 " see ye not, my merry men a', 
 
 see ye not what I see ? 
 Methinks I see a host of men : 
 
 1 marvel wha' they be." ' 
 
 And thereupon, finding she had suddenly come rather close 
 to the subject, Miss Hazel dashed out of the room. 
 
 The day proved warm. The air, losing its morning dew and 
 freshness, moved listlessly about among the leaves ; the sky 
 looked glassy ; the cattle stood panting in the shade, or mused, 
 ankle deep, in the brooks ; only the birds were stirring. 
 
 "With thought and action as elastic as theirs, the young 
 mistress of Chickaree prepared for her visit to the poor woman, 
 afraid neither of the hot sunbeams nor of certain white undula- 
 tions of cloud that just broke the line of the western horizon. 
 Mr. Falkirk had walked down to his cottage ; there there was 
 no one to counsel or hinder. And over the horses there was 
 small consultation needed, the only two nags found being a 
 young vixen of a black colt, and an intensely sedate horse of 
 no particular colour, which Mrs. By wank was accustomed to 
 drive to church. Relinquishing this respectable creature to 
 Dingee, Wych Hazel perched herself upon Vixen and set forth, 
 walking the colt now to keep by her little guide, but promising 
 herself a good trot on the way home. 
 
 The child had come to show her the way, and went in a 
 shuffling amble by the side of the colt's black legs. For a good 
 while they kept the road which had been travelled yesterday ; 
 at last turned off to another, which presently became pleasantly 
 shady. Woods closed it in, made it rather lonely, in fact, 
 but nobody thought now of anything but the grateful change- 
 There were clouds which might hide the sun by and by ; 
 but just now he was powerful, and they were only lifting 
 their white heads stealthily in the west. At a rough stile,
 
 VIXEN. 87 
 
 beyond which a foot-track led deeper into the wood, the girl 
 stopped. 
 
 ' It's in here,' she said. 
 
 It was very clear that Vixen could not cross the stile ; so 
 her young rider dismounted, and looping up the heavy folds of 
 her riding skirt as best she might, disappeared from the eyes 
 of Dingee among the trees. Her dress was a pretty enough 
 wood dress after all, for though the skirts were dark and heavy, 
 the white dimity jacket was all airiness and ruffles ; and once 
 fairly in the shade of the trees, Wych Hazel let her riding hut 
 fall back and rest on her shoulders in very childish fashion 
 indeed. Her little guide trotted on before her, till they saw 
 the house they had come for. 
 
 It was a place of shiftless poverty, of need, no doubt, but 
 not of industry. Wych Hazel was humbly begged to supply 
 deficiencies which ought not to have been. Inexperienced as 
 she was, she scarcely understood it. Nevertheless she was 
 glad when the visit was over, and she could step out of the door 
 again. The clouds had not hid the sun yet, and she went 
 lightly on through the trees, singing to herself according to 
 custom, till she was near the stile ; then she was ' ware ' of 
 somebody approaching, and the singing ceased. The glance 
 which shewed her a stranger revealed also what made her 
 glance again as they drew nearer, it was a person of uncom- 
 monly good exterior and fine bearing. A third glance would 
 not have been given, but that, as they came close, Wych Hazel 
 received the homage of a very profound and courteous saluta- 
 tion, and the gentleman, presenting a branch of white roses, 
 said with sufficient deference, ' Earth must offer tribute ! and 
 cannot, without hands ' and then passed swiftly on. 
 
 Amused, startled, Wych Hazel also quickened her steps, 
 wondering to herself what sort of country she had fallen 
 upon. It was ridiculously like a fairy tale, this whole after- 
 noon's work. The little barefooted guide, the sick woman 
 with her 'your goodness' and 'your ladyship,' now this 
 upstarting knight. There were the roses, too, in her hand, 
 as much like the famed spray gathered by the merchant 
 in ' Beauty and the Beast ' as mortal roseo could be. But the
 
 88 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 adventure was not over. As she reached the stile, she heard 
 the same voice beside her again. The stranger held her ridiug 
 whip, which Wych Hazel had left behind her at the cottage, 
 the little girl had met him, bringing it, he said. 
 
 And then he went on ' It is impossible not to know that I am 
 speaking to Miss Kennedy. I am a stranger in the country ; 
 but my aunt, Mme. Lasalle, is well known to Mr. Falkirk. Will 
 Miss Kennedy allow me to assist her in remounting ? ' 
 
 It was gracefully said, with the quietly-modulated tones 
 that belong only to a high grade of society, and the speaker 
 had a handsome face and good presence. Nevertheless Wych 
 Hazel had no mind to be ' remounted ' by any one, and was 
 very near saying as much ; for in her, temperament retarded 
 the progress of conventionalism sadly. As it was, she gave 
 him a hesitating assent, and received his proffered assistance. 
 Then, lifting his hat, he stood while she passed on. 
 
 It was time to ride, for the sky was dark with clouds, the 
 air breathless, and sharp growls of thunder spoke in the 
 distance, at every one of which Vixen made an uneasy motion 
 of ears and head, to shew what she would do when they came 
 nearer. 
 
 ' We must ride for it, Dingee,' Miss Hazel said to her dark 
 attendant. 
 
 ' Reckon we'll get it too, Miss Hazel,' was Dingee's reply ; 
 and a heavy drop or two said, ' Yes, it is coming.' Wych 
 Hazel laughed at him, cantering along on her black pony like a 
 brown sprite, the rising wind making free with her hair and hat 
 ribands, the rose sprays made fast to her buttonhole. But, 
 as she dashed out of the woods upon a tract of open country, 
 the distance before her was one sheet of grey rain and 
 mist ; and a near peal of thunder, that almost took Vixen off 
 her feet, shewed what it would be to face such a storm so 
 mounted. And now the raindrops began to patter near at 
 hand. 
 
 But where to go? She had passed no place of refuge in the 
 woodland, and before her the storm hid everything from sight. 
 So, after a second's thought, Wych Hazel turned and flew 
 down a side road a half a mile, to the very door of a low stone
 
 VIXEN. 89 
 
 Louse, the first she had seen ; sprang off her frightened pony, 
 and darted into the open hall door, leaving Dingee to find 
 shelter for himself and his charge. Then she began to wonder 
 where she was, and what the people would say to her ; at first 
 she had been only glad to get off Vixen's back, the pony had 
 jumped and reared at such a rate for the last five minutes. 
 
 In the hall, which at a glance she saw was square and wide, 
 and felt was flagged with stone, stood a large packing-case ; 
 and about it, and so busy with it that for a second they did not 
 observe her, were a girl and a young man, the latter knocking 
 off boards and drawing out nails with his hammer, while the 
 other hovered over the work and watched it absorbedly. In a 
 moment more they both looked up. The hammer went down, 
 and with a face of illumination Eollo came forward. 
 
 ' Why, here she is 1 ' he exclaimed gaily, ' dropped into our 
 hands ! and as wet as if she had fallen from the clouds literally. 
 Here, Eosy, carry off this lady to your domains. This is 
 Primrose Maryland, Miss Kennedy.' 
 
 A primrose she evidently was, sweet and good and fresh 
 like one, with something of a flower's gravity, too. That could 
 be seen at a glance ; also that she was rather a little person, 
 though full and plump hi figure, and hardly pretty, at least 
 in contrast with her brilliant neighbour. Wych Hazel's first 
 words were of unbounded surprise. 
 
 ' From what possible part of the clouds did you fall, Mr. 
 Rollo?' Then with a blush and a look of apology to Miss 
 Maryland ' I ought to excuse myself ; I didn't know where I 
 was coming. And as my horse quite refused to stand upon 
 more than two feet at once, I found the storm uncomfortable, 
 and so jumped off and ran in. It's the fault of your door for 
 being open, Miss Maryland 1 ' 
 
 ' I am very glad,' said Primrose simply. "The door stood 
 open because it was so hot. We were going to see you this 
 afternoon, but the storm hindered us. Now, will you come 
 up -stairs and get something dry?'
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 TEA AT THE DOCTOR'S. 
 
 THEY went up a low staircase and along a gallery to Primrose's 
 room, large and low, as nice as wax, and as plain. How 
 unlike any room at Chickaree, Wych Hazel could not help 
 feeling, while its little mistress was opening cupboards and 
 drawers, and getting out the neatest and whitest of cambric 
 jackets and ruffles and petticoats, and bringing forth all accom- 
 modations of combs and brushes. Meanwhile "Wych Hazel 
 could not help seeing some of the tokens about the place that 
 told what sort of life was lived there. Its spotlessly neat and 
 orderly condition was one token, but there were signs of busi- 
 ness. Work-baskets, with what seemed fulness of work, were 
 about the room ; books, not in great numbers, but lying in 
 little business piles, with business covers and the marks of use. 
 Papers were on one table by a window, with pen and ink, and 
 pencil and cards. And everywhere a simplicity that shewed 
 no atom of needless expenditure. Very unlike Chickaree I 
 
 Primrose the while was neat-handedly helping to array her 
 guest in fresh apparel She had pretty little hands, and they 
 were quick and skilful ; and, as she stooped to try on a slipper 
 or manage a fastening, "Wych Hazel had a view of a beautiful 
 head of fair brown hair, in quiet arrangement that did not 
 shew all its beauty; and when from time to time the eyes 
 were lifted, sne saw that they were very good eyes ; as repose- 
 ful as a mountain tarn, and as deep too, where lay thought 
 shadows as well as sunshine. They were very shining eyes 
 now, with secret admiration and pleasure and good will and 
 eager interest.
 
 TEA AT THE DOCTOR'S. 91 
 
 ' Are you come to stay a good while at Chickaree ? I hope 
 you will.' 
 
 ' May be perhaps. Oh, my boots are not wet, Miss Mary- 
 land ; and I don't think I caught enough raindrops to hurt. 
 How kind you are! and how well your brother describes you !' 
 
 ' Arthur ? I wish he would not describe me. Chickaree is 
 such a beautiful place, I should think one might like to stay 
 there. I have been hoping about it ever since I heard you 
 were coming. Father knows Mr. Falkirk, and used to know 
 your father and mother so well, that I have almost felt as if I 
 knew you till I saw you.' 
 
 ' And you don't feel so now ? ' with a shade of disappoint- 
 ment. 
 
 ' No,' said Primrose, laughing. ' But I am sure I shall very 
 soon, if you will let me. I have wished for it so much. There, 
 won't that do ? It is lucky I had some of Prue's things here, 
 mine are too short. Prue is my sister. It looks very nice, 
 I think.' 
 
 ' Oh yes,' her guest answered, taking up her bunch of roses 
 fresh with the rain. ' Thank you very much ! But why do 
 you say that about your brother ? ' 
 
 * Arthur ? Oh, descriptions never tell the truth.' 
 
 ' I am sure he did,' said Wych Hazel. ' And I know I would 
 give anything to have anybody talk so about me.' 
 
 Primrose returned a somewhat earnest and wondering look 
 at her new friend, then took her hand to lead her down- 
 stairs. 
 
 In the hall they found Mr. Eollo, not by his packing-case 
 exactly, for he had taken it to pieces, and the contents stood 
 fair to view, a very handsome new sewing machine. Sur- 
 rounded with bits of board and litter, he stood examining the 
 works and removing dust and bits of paper and string. Over 
 the litter sprang to his side Primrose, and laid her hand 
 silently in his, and with downcast eyes stood still, looking at 
 the machine. The bright eyes under their lids spoke as much 
 joy as Rosy's face often shewed, yet she was perfectly still. 
 
 'Well?' said Rollo, squeezing the little hand and looking 
 laughingly down at her.
 
 92 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 ' You are so good ! ' 
 
 4 You don't think it,' said he. ' You know better ; and as 
 yon always speak perfect truth, I am surprised to hear you.' 
 
 ' You are good to me,' said Primrose in a low tone. 
 
 ' I should be a pleasant fellow if I wasn't,' said he, stooping 
 to kiss her, at which the flush of pleasure on Rosy's cheek 
 deepened. ' But in the meantime it is proper we should look 
 after the comfort of our prisoner.' Then, stepping across the 
 litter to where Wych Hazel stood, he went on ' You know, 
 of course, that you stand in that relation to us, Miss Kennedy ? 
 Primrose is turnkey, and I am governor. "Would you like to 
 see the inside of the jail?' 
 
 The ' prisoner ' had stood still in grave wonderment at people 
 and things generally, especially at the footing Mr. Rollo 
 seemed to have in this house. 
 
 'Governor to a steam-engine ia an easier post,' she said, 
 throwing off her thoughts. 
 
 ' I have been that,' he said, as he led her into a room on the 
 right of the hall 
 
 This room took in the whole depth of the house, having 
 windows on three sides, low deep windows, looking green, for 
 the blinds were drawn together. The ceiling was low too ; 
 and from floor to ceiling, everywhere except where a door or 
 window broke the space, the walls were lined with books. There 
 was here no more than up-stairs evidence of needless money 
 outlay, the furniture was chintz-covered, the tablecovers were 
 plain. But easy-chairs were plenty ; the tables bore writing 
 materials and drawing materials and sewing materials ; and 
 books lay about, open from late handling ; and a portfolio of 
 engravings stood in a corner. Rollo put his charge in an easy- 
 chair, and then went from window to window, throwing open 
 the blinds. The windows opened upon green things, trees and 
 flowers and vines. The air came in fresher ; the rain was softly 
 falling fast and thick, and yet the pale light cheered up the 
 whole place wonderfully. 
 
 ' Your windows are all shut, Rosy,' said Rollo, as he went 
 from one to the other ; ' is that the way you live ? You must 
 keep them open, now I am come home.'
 
 TEA AT THE DOCTOK'S. 93 
 
 ' It was so hot,' said the voice of Rosy from the hall. 
 
 ' Hot ! that is the very reason. What are you about ? 
 Rosy !' 
 
 He went to the door ; and then from where she sat Wych 
 Hazel could see the prompt handling which Rosy's endeavours 
 to put away the disorder received. She was taken off from 
 picking up nails, and dismissed into the library ; while Rollo 
 himself set diligently about gathering together his boards and 
 rubbish. Primrose came in smiling. 
 
 ' It is better with the windows open,' she said ; ' but I was so 
 busy this morning I believe I forget. And father never comes 
 into this room till evening. How it rains 1 I am so glad 1 ' 
 
 And, taking a piece of work from a basket, she placed her- 
 self near Wych Hazel, and began to sew. It was a pretty home- 
 picture, such as Wych Hazel, in her school life and ward life, 
 had seen few. Just why it made her feel quiet she could not 
 have told. Yet the brown eyes went somewhat gravely from 
 Primrose at her work to the hall where Rollo felt so much at 
 home ; then round the room and towards the window, watching 
 the rain. 
 
 ' Won't you give me some work ? ' she asked suddenly. 
 
 ' Oh, talk ! ' said Primrose, looking up. ' Don't work.' 
 
 ' It takes more than work to stop my mouth,' said Wych 
 Hazel. 'Ah, I can work, though you don't believe it, Miss 
 Rosy. Do please give me that ruffle, or a handkerchief don't 
 you want some marked ? I can embroider like any German.' 
 
 Primrose doubted her powers of sewing and talking both at 
 once, but finally supplied her with an immense white cravat 
 to hem, destined for the comfort of Dr. Maryland's throat ; and 
 working and chatting did go on very steadily for some time 
 thereafter, both girls being intent on each other at least, if not 
 oa the hemming, till Rollo came back. He interrupted the 
 course of things. 
 
 ' Now,' said Rollo, ' I am going to ask you first, Primrose, 
 are you setting about to make Miss Kennedy as busy as your- 
 self?' 
 
 ' I wish I could, you know,' said Primrose, half smiling, half 
 \vistfully.
 
 94 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 4 And I want to know from you, Miss Kennedy, where Mr. 
 Falkirk is this afternoon? ' 
 
 ' In the depths of a nap, I suppose. Is the rain slackening, 
 Mr. Rollo?' 
 
 ' What do you think ? ' as with a fresher puff of wind the 
 rush of the raindrops to the earth seemed to be more hurried 
 and furious. Wych Hazel listened, but did not speak her 
 thoughts. Rollo considered her a little, and then drew up the 
 portfolio stand and began to undo the fastenings of the 
 portfolio. 
 
 ' Do you like this sort of thing ? ' 
 
 4 Very much. Oh, I don't care a great deal about them as 
 engravings, I suppose ; but I like to study the faces and puzzle 
 over the lives.' 
 
 4 This collection is nothing remarkable as a collection, but it 
 may serve your purpose, perhaps.' He set up a large, rather 
 coarse print of 'Fortitude,' by Sir Joshua Reynolds. The figure 
 stands erect, armed with a helmet and plume, one hand on her 
 hip, the other touching just the tip of one finger to a broken 
 column by her side. At her feet a couchant lion. 
 
 ' Looking at that, not as an engraving, which wouldn't be 
 profitable, what do you see ? ' 
 
 'I was trying to think whether she was Mr. Falkirk's ideal,' 
 said Wych Hazel, after a somewhat prolonged study of the 
 engraving. ' She is not mine.' 
 
 4 Why not?' 
 
 4 Yes, she isn't mine,' said Primrose. ' Why not, Miss 
 Kennedy ? ' 
 
 'Mr. Falkirk always says, "My dear, be a woman, and be 
 brave 1" But I think she fails on both points.' 
 
 ' I don't understand,' said Primrose, while Rollo's smile grew 
 amused. ' I don't quite understand you, Miss Kennedy. She 
 looks brave to me.' 
 
 ' No, she don't,' said Wych Hazel decidedly. 4 Anybody can 
 stick on a helmet. What is that half-asleep lion for, Mr. 
 Rollo?' 
 
 He isn't half-asleep ! ' said Primrose. ' He looks very 
 grimly enduring. But I agree with Miss Kennedy, that Forti-
 
 TEA AT THE DOCTOR'S. 95 
 
 tude should not wear a helmet with a plume in it, too ! She is 
 quite as apt to be found under a sun-bonnet, I thitk.' 
 
 'Bravo, Prim !' said Rollo. 
 
 ' And she ought to have her hands crossed.' 
 
 ' Crossed !' said Wych Hazel. 
 
 'Yes, I think so.' 
 
 ' This fashion ? ' said the girl, folding her tiny hands across 
 her breast. ' They would not stay there two seconds, if 1 was 
 enduring anything.' 
 
 Rosy crossed her own hands after another fashion, and was 
 silent. 
 
 ' How do you generally hold your hands when you are 
 enduring anything ? ' Rollo asked the other speaker demurely. 
 
 ' Ah, now you are laughing at me ! ' she said. ' But I don't 
 think I quite understand passive, inactive fortitude. I like 
 Niobe's arm, all wrapped about her child ! do you remember ? ' 
 
 ' I remember. But you don't call that fortitude, do you ? ' 
 
 ' Yes,' said Wych Hazel. ' She was dying by inches ; and 
 yet her arms look so strong! I am sure she didn't know 
 whether they were crossed or uncrossed.' 
 
 ' Do you think that lion there in the corner looks like Mr. 
 Falkirk?' 
 
 ' No, indeed ! Mr. Falkirk would take a good deal more 
 notice of me, if / was balancing myself on one finger,' said 
 Wych Hazel. 
 
 ' What is that one finger for ? ' said Primrose. 
 
 ' Do you ask that, Rosy ? To show that she has nothing 
 earthly to lean upon. She just touches the pillar, as much as 
 to say it is broken and of no use to her. Perhaps her con- 
 fidence is in that slumbering lion. Is that another representa- 
 tion of fortitude ? ' 
 
 He had hid Sir Joshua's picture with an engraving of 
 Delaroche's Marie Antoinette leaving the tribunal. 
 
 ' She knew what it meant, I should think, if anybody did. 
 But must fortitude real fortitude be always unhappy? 
 said Hazel, looking perplexedly at the picture. 
 
 Rollo turned back to the Reynolds. ' You were both wrong 
 about this,' said he, at least I think so. Real Fortitude does
 
 96 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 figuratively, go helmeted and plumed. She endures so per- 
 fectly that she does not seem to endure. In this representation 
 the lion shows you the mental condition which lies hid behind 
 that fair, stern front. Now is Marie Antoinette like that?' 
 He turned the pictures again. 
 
 ' I cannot tell,' said Wych Hazel. ' One minute her forti- 
 tude looks just like pride ; and then, when you remember all 
 she had to bear, it's not strange if she called up pride to help 
 her. But it is not my ideal yet.' 
 
 ' I think it is pride,' said Rollo. * So it looks to me. Pride 
 and grief facing down death and humiliation, Marie Theresa's 
 daughter and Louis Capet's queen acknowledging no degrada- 
 tion before her enemies, giving them no triumph that she 
 could help. But that is not my ideal either.' 
 
 He brought out another print. 
 
 ' I always like that,' said Primrose. 
 
 ' I do not know it,' said Wych Hazel. 
 
 ' Don't you? It is very common. It is the Eve of St. Bar- 
 tholomew. This Catholic girl wants to tie a white favour 
 round her lover's arm, to save him from the massacre soon 
 to begin. She has had the misfortune to love a Huguenot. 
 White favours, you remember, were the mark by which the 
 Catholics were to know each other in the confusion.' 
 
 ' And he will not let her. Was it a misfortune, I wonder ? ' 
 
 ' What ? ' said Primrose. 
 
 ' To love somebody so much nobler than herself. How gentle 
 he is in his earnestness ! ' 
 
 ' Don't be hard upon her,' said Rollo. ' Are you sure you 
 wouldn't do so in her place ? ' 
 
 'No,' she said, looking gravely up at him. 
 
 ' She knew it was death to go without that white handker- 
 chief.' 
 
 'But,' said Primrose softly, 'wouldn't you rather have him 
 die true than live dishonoured ? ' 
 
 ' I think I should have tried,' said Wych Hazel, ' knowing I 
 should fail. And then I should have thrown away my own 
 favour, and gone with him wherever he went.' 
 
 ' He wouldn't have let you do that either,' said Rollo.
 
 TEA AT THE DOCTOR'S. 97 
 
 ' Then he would not have loved me as I loved him,' said the 
 girl very decidedly. 
 
 ' He'd have been a pretty fellow ! ' said Rollo, as he turned 
 the next print. It was a contrast to the St. Bartholomew, a 
 'Madonna and Child,' fromTra Bartholomeo, at which they were 
 all content to look silently. Rollo began to talk then instead 
 of asking questions, and made himself very interesting, so 
 much he knew of art matters, so many a story and legend he 
 could tell about the masters, and so well he could help tbe 
 less initiated to enjoy and understand the work. So, letting 
 himself out in a sort of play-fashion, the portfolio proved the 
 nucleus of a delightful hour's entertainment. At the end of 
 that time a turn was given to things by the coming in of an 
 old black woman with a very high-coloured turban on her head, 
 and a tea-kettle and a chafing-dish of coals in her hands. 
 Rollo shut up his portfolio. 
 
 ' What is your view, practically, of things at present, Miss 
 Kennedy?' 
 
 ' Mr. Falkirk says I never took a practical view of things in 
 my life, Mr. Rollo. The impracticable view seems to be that it 
 is tea time, and I ought to go home.' 
 
 What do you think of the plan of letting Mr. Falkirk know 
 where you are?' 
 
 Yes, I ought to do that,' said his ward. ' Where is Dingee ? 
 I will send him right off.' 
 
 ' Will you write, or shall I ? ' said Rollo, drawing out paper 
 and pen ready on one of the tables. 
 
 She glanced at him, as if in momentary wonder that he 
 should offer to write her despatch, then ran off the most sum- 
 mary little note, twisted it into a knot of complications, and 
 again asked for Dingee. Rollo gently but saucily put his own 
 fingers upon the twisted note and bore it away. 
 
 The business of the tea-making and preparing was going on ; 
 and both Primrose and her old assistant bustled about the tea 
 table, getting things ready and Dr. Maryland's chair in its 
 right place, a quiet bustle, very pleasant in the eyes of Wych 
 Hazel, with all its homely and sweet meanings. The light had 
 softened a little, and still came through a grey veil of rain ;
 
 98 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 odours of rose and sweetbriar and evening primroses floated in 
 on the warm, moist air, and mingled with the steam of the tea- 
 kettle and the fume of the coals in the chafing-dish ; and the 
 patter, patter of rain-drops, and the dash of wet leaves against 
 each other, were a foil to the tea-kettle's song. Wych Hazel 
 looked on musingly, till Rollo came back and took her round 
 the room, looking at books. Then, offering her his arm, he 
 somewhat suddenly brought her face to face with some one just 
 entering by the door. 
 
 An old gentleman, Wych Hazel knew at once who it must 
 be, middle-sized, stout, with rather thin locks of white hair, 
 and a face not otherwise remarkable than for its look of 
 habitual high thought and pure goodness. It took but a 
 moment to see so much of him. She stopped short, and then 
 came close up to him. 
 
 ' Is this your charge, Dane ? Is this little Wych Hazel ? ' he 
 went on more tenderly, and folding her in his arms. 'My dear,' 
 he said, kissing her brow, ' I hope you will be as good a woman 
 as your mother was. I am very glad to see you very glad 
 indeed.' 
 
 She did not answer at first, looking up into his face with a 
 wistful, searching look that was a little eager, standing quite 
 still, as if the enclosing arms were very pleasant to her. 
 
 ' Yes, sir,' she said, ' I am Wych Hazel. But why are you 
 glad to see me ? ' 
 
 ' My dear, I knew your mother and father ; and I have a 
 great interest in you. I am told you will be queen of a large 
 court up yonder at Chickaree.' 
 
 She laughed a little, and coloured, looking down ; then back 
 into his face again. 
 
 ' Will you like me, sir, all you can?' 
 
 ' All you will give me a chance for. So you must let us see 
 you a great deal ; for affection must grow, you know, it can- 
 not be commanded. Sit down, my dear, sit down ; Primrose 
 is ready for us.' 
 
 It was right pleasant meal ! There was no servant waiting. 
 The little informalities of helping themselves suited well with 
 the quiet home ease and the song of the tea-kettle. Primrose
 
 TEA AT THE DOCTOR'S. 99 
 
 made toust for her father, and Eollo blew the coals to a red 
 heat to hasten the operation. Dr. Maryland sometimes talked 
 and sometimes was silent; and his talk was of an absolute sim- 
 plicity that neither knew in his own nor imagined in other 
 people's minds any reserves of dark corners. Primrose talked 
 little, but was lovingly watchful not only of her father, but of 
 Wych Hazel and Rollo too, who on his part was watchful 
 enough over everybody. 
 
 4 And, my dear,' said Dr. Maryland, ' why did you not bring 
 Mr. Falkirk with you ? ' 
 
 ' "Well, sir, to begin, I did not know I was coming myself ! 
 I was out riding, and the rain came, and I jumped off into 
 the first open door I could see ; and then Miss Maryland let 
 me stay.' 
 
 4 But Mr. Falkirk, my dear where's he ? ' 
 
 * Safe at home, sir. We have been seeking our fortune 
 together, but to-night we got separated.' 
 
 'Mr. Falkirk went back and left you? ' said Dr. Maryland, 
 looking surprised. 
 
 ' No, sir. I went ahead and left him. That is,' she added, 
 smothering a laugh, ' he did not set out at all.' 
 
 ' I thought I thought you said you were together.' 
 
 ' Only in a general way, sir. On all special occasions we 
 divide.' 
 
 ' What did you say you were doing, seeking your fortune ? ' 
 
 ' I set out to seek mine,' said Wych Hazel, ' and of course 
 poor Mr. Falkirk has to go along to look on. He doesn't help 
 me one bit.' 
 
 ' To seek your fortune, my dear ? ' said Dr. Maryland, look- 
 ing benignly curious. ' What sort of a fortune are you looking 
 for?' 
 
 ' Why, I don't know, sir. If I knew, it would be half found 
 already, wouldn't it ? ' said the girl. 
 
 ' But, my dear, did Mr. Falkirk never tell you that fortunes 
 are never found ready-made ? ' 
 
 'No, sir. He objected, because he said mine was ready- 
 made ; but that made no difference from my point of view. 
 And then he said he thought our road would " end in a squirrel
 
 100 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 track, and run up a tree." And do you know, sir,' said Wych 
 Hazel, the hidden merriment flashing out all over her face, ' that 
 was what it really did ! ' 
 
 ' Did what, my dear ? ' 
 
 4 I beg your pardon, sir,' she said, trying to steady her voice 
 and bring out words instead of a burst of laughter ; * but that 
 is a wild Western expression, which Mr. Falkirk used to signify 
 that we should get into difficulties.' 
 
 4 Why did Mr. Falkirk think you would get into difficulties?' 
 Dr. Maryland had not got on the scent yet. 
 
 'I don't think he has much opinion of my prudence, sir; and 
 he believes firmly that every one who goes off the highway finds 
 rough ground. Now I like a jolt now and then, it wakes one 
 up.' 
 
 4 So you want to find rough ground, my dear? ' 
 
 ' I do not mean really rough, sir, in one sense, but uneven, 
 varied, and stirring, and uncommonplace. It seems to me that 
 I have a whole set of energies that never come into play upon 
 ordinary occasions. I should weary to death of the lives some 
 people lead, three meals a day, and a cigar, and a newspaper. 
 I think I should fast once a week for variety, and smoke my 
 cigar wrong end first, if there are two ends to it.' 
 
 4 1 heard a lady say the other day that there was no end to 
 them,' observed Kollo. 
 
 Dr. Maryland looked at her on his part, smiling, and quite 
 awake now to the matter in hand. Yet he was silent a minute 
 before speaking. 
 
 4 Have you laid your plan, my dear ? I should very much 
 like to know what it is.' 
 
 4 No, sir,' she said, shaking her head with a deprecatory little 
 laugh ; 4 of course I have not. People in fairy tales never do.' 
 
 4 Life is not a fairy tale, Hazel,' said Dr. Maryland, shaking 
 his head a little. ' My dear, you are a real woman: Did you 
 ever think what you would try to do in the world, what you 
 would try to do with your life, I mean ? ' 
 
 Do with it ? ' the girl repeated, her brown eyes on the 
 doctor's face, as if looking for his meaning. 4 1 think I should 
 like to enjoy it, if I could. And it has been very commonplace
 
 TEA AT THE DOCTOR'S. 101 
 
 lately, sir. Mr. Falkirk don't pet me and play with me as he 
 used to, and he won't let me play with him not much.' 
 
 The smile which quivered on Dr. Maryland's face changed 
 and passed into a sort of sweet gravity. 
 
 " ' There is one capital way to get out of commonplace,' he 
 said ; ' but it isn't play, my dear. If you set about doing what 
 God would have you do with yourself, there will be no dulness 
 in your life, and no lack of enjoyment either.' 
 
 She looked at him again, then down, but made no answer. 
 
 'Somebody has written an essay, that I read lately,' Dr. 
 Maryland went on, 'an essay on the monotony of piety. Poor 
 man, he did not know what he was talking about I The 
 glorious liberty of the children of God ! that was something 
 beyond his experience ; and the joy of their service. It is what 
 redeems everything else from monotony. It glorifies what is 
 insignificant, and dignifies what is mean, and lifts what is low, 
 and turns the poor little business- steps of every day into rounds 
 of heaven's golden ladder. I verily think I could have hanged 
 myself long ago, for the very monotony of all things else, if it 
 had not been for the life and glory of religion ! ' 
 
 'Why, papa ! ' said Primrose. 
 
 ' I would, my dear, I do think.' He was silent a moment, 
 then, subsiding from the excited fire with which he had spoken, 
 lie turned to Wych Hazel, and went on gently 
 
 ' What else do you want to do, my dear, that is not to be 
 done in that track ? You want adventures ? ' 
 
 ' Yes, sir,' she answered, without looking up, half hesitating, 
 a little grave. 'I think I do. And more people about, people 
 to love me, and that I can love. Of course I love Mr. Falkirk,' 
 she added, correcting herself, ' very much ; but that is different. 
 And there's nobody else but the servants.' 
 
 ' Oh, do come here ! ' cried Primrose, ' and love us.' 
 
 ' I do not wonder Mr. Falkirk gives no help,' said Rollo a 
 little quizzically. 
 
 1 Will you try Primrose's expedient, my dear?' said Dr. Mary- 
 land very benignly. ' Half your requisition you will certainly 
 find. Whether you can love us, I don't know ; but there's no 
 knowing without trying.'
 
 102 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 She gave one of her sweet, childish looks of answer to both 
 the first and last speaker ; but Mr. Rollo was favoured with a 
 small reproof. 
 
 ' You must not speak so of Mr. Falkirk,' she said. ' He has 
 been the kindest possible friend to me. And I think he loves 
 me wonderfully, considering how I have tried his patience. 
 Just think what it is for a grave, quiet, grown-up, sensible 
 man to have the plague of a girl like me ! Very few men 
 would stand it at all, Mr. Rollo ; but Mr. Falkirk never said a 
 rough word to me in his life.' 
 
 She was so grave, so innocent, so ignorant in it all, the effect 
 was indescribably funny. 
 
 ' I should think very few men would stand it,' said Rollo 
 composedly ; but Primrose and her father smiled. 
 
 ' Mr. Falkirk is an admirable man,' said Dr. Maryland. 'You 
 are a good witness for him, Hazel.' 
 
 ' If I would only do all he wants me to ! ' she said, with a 
 slight shake of the head. ' But I cannot ; and he says I don't 
 know what I want. But, Dr. Maryland, all the nice, proper 
 people I have ever seen live on such a dead level, it would 
 kill me. They think dancing is wrong, and Italian a loss of 
 time ; and " it's a pity to waste my young years upon German." 
 And they can't talk of a book, but some life of a missionary 
 who was eaten by cannibals. I was very sorry he went there, 
 to be sure, but that didn't make me want to hear about it, nor 
 to go myself. They are just like peach trees trimmed up and 
 nailed to a wall ; and I'd rather be wild witch hazel in the 
 woods, though it's of no sort of use, and nobody cares for it.' 
 
 Dr. Maryland might guess from this frank outpouring how 
 seldom it was that the stream of young thoughts found such an 
 exit, how complete was the trust which called it forth. She 
 had quite forgotten her tea ; and the doctor forgot his, and 
 bent his grey head towards her brown one. 
 
 ' But suppose, my dear ' (how different this was from Mr. 
 Falkirk's ' my dear ! '), ' suppose the bush were a conscious 
 thing ; and suppose that while it remained in the woods and re- 
 mained entirely itself, it could yet, by being submitted to some 
 sweet influence, be made so fragrant that its breath should be
 
 TEA AT THE DOCTOR'S. 103 
 
 known all through the forest, and its nuts, instead of being 
 wild, useless things, should every one of them bring a gift of 
 healing or of life to the hands that should gather them. I 
 would rather it should stay in the woods ; and I never think 
 anything trained against a wall is as good as that which has 
 the sun all round it.' 
 
 Wych Hazel looked at him with no sort of doubt in her eyes 
 that he had been ' submitted to some sweet influence.' And 
 perhaps it was the image he had drawn that brought a little 
 tremor round her lips as she answered 
 
 4 1 do not want to be " a wild, bitter, useless thing ;" may be 
 that is what Mr. Falkirk is afraid of, too !' 
 
 ' I believe,' said Dr. Maryland, ' that he who made all the 
 varieties of plants in the world, and made men as various, never 
 meant that one should take the form or place of another. If it 
 fills its own, and fills it perfectly, it glorifies him, and does 
 just what it was meant to do.' 
 
 4 Not to mention the fact,' said Rollo, * that Wych Hazel 
 could not conveniently personate a pine tree, or primrose a 
 blackthorn.' 
 
 But at the entrance of this gentleman as privy counsellor 
 Wych Hazel withdrew her affairs from public notice, however 
 much inclined to vindicate her power of personating what she 
 liked, especially pine trees. She dropped the subject, and took 
 up her bread and butter. And so Dr. Maryland for a while ; 
 but he eat thoughtfully. There was a pause, during which 
 Primrose was affectionately solicitous over Wych Hazel's cup 
 of tea, and Rollo piled strawberries upon her plate. Tea had 
 been rather neglected. 
 
 ' And what have you been doing, Hazel, all these past twelve 
 years ? ' said the doctor, breaking out afresh. ' Twelve years ! 
 It is twelve years. What have you done with them, my dear? ' 
 
 ' I was at school, you know, sir, for a while ; and then I had 
 no end of tutors and teachers at home.' She drew a long 
 breath. 
 
 ' And what are you going to do with the next twelve years 
 if you should live so long? What are you going to try to do 
 with them, I mean ? '
 
 104 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 ' I want to try to have a good time, sir.' 
 
 'And you will be a queen, and hold your court at Chickaree?' 
 
 She laughed her pretty, free laugh of pleasure. 
 
 ' So Mr. Falkirk says ; only he does not call me a queen, he 
 calls me a mouse ! ' 
 
 Dr. Maryland laughed too at her or with her a rare thing 
 for him, but returned to his grave tenderness of look and tone. 
 ' Ah, little Hazel,' he said, ' you are in a dangerous place, my 
 child, with your court up there. Do you know that when you 
 and the world you want to see come together, either you will 
 change it or it will change you ? That is why I asked you what 
 you were going to do with the next twelve years. That was a 
 great word of Paul, when his years were almost over : " I have 
 fought a good fight ; I have kept the faith. Henceforth there 
 is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, 
 the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day ! " ' 
 
 He was silent ; but so grave, so sweet, so rapt had been tho 
 tone of the last words, that they all kept silence likewise. Dr. 
 Maryland's head fell: he seemed to be seeing something not 
 before him. Presently he went on speaking to himself 
 
 ' " And not to me only, but to all them that love his appear- 
 ing." My dear,' suddenly to Wych Hazel, ' will you love his 
 appearing when it comes? ' 
 
 She ? how could she tell, to whom not only the question 
 but almost the very thought were new ? He did not pursue 
 that subject. Presently he left the table and stood up, or 
 walked up and down behind it ; while under the sense of his 
 talk and his thought and his presence they were all quiet, finish- 
 ing their supper as docilely as so many children. And a reflec- 
 tion from him was on all their faces, making each one more 
 pure and bright than its own wont. 
 
 He stayed, with the young people after tea, instead of going 
 to his study; and the evening was full of grave interest, which 
 also no one wished less grave. He talked much, sometimes 
 with Wych Hazel, sometimes with Rollo ; and Rollo was very 
 amusing and interesting, in meeting his inquiries and remarks 
 about German universities and university life. The talk flowed 
 on to other people and things abroad, where Rollo had for some
 
 TEA AT THE DOCTOR'S. 105 
 
 years lately been. The doctor grew animated, and drew him 
 out, and every now and then drew Wych Hazel in, giving her 
 much of his attention and perhaps scrutiny also, though that 
 was veiled. 
 
 The talk kept them up late. As they were separating for 
 the night, Rollo asked Wych Hazel if she had found any cats at 
 Chickaree. 
 
 4 What do you mean ? ' she said quietly. 'Oh, I remember !' 
 and the light danced over her face. ' I haven't had much time 
 to find anything. What did you do with my poor kitten up on 
 the mountain, Mr. Rollo ? ' 
 
 ' I was going to ask you whether you would like to see an old 
 friend.' 
 
 ' Yes, to be sure. You do not mean that my little pussy is 
 here ! ' 
 
 * You shall have her to-morrow. '
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 HOLDING COURT. 
 
 MORNING has come, and the Queen of Chickaree must return 
 to hold her court. Little guesses the Queen what a court is 
 gathering for her. While she is quietly eating her breakfast 
 at Dr. Maryland's, Mme. Lasalle is ordering her horses, to make 
 a call upon her in the course of the morning ; and Mr. Kingsland 
 is thinking in what cravat he shall adorn himself when he goes 
 to do the same thing in the afternoon ; for Mr. Kingsland has 
 arrived at home, where he and his old father keep a bachelor 
 sort of household in a decayed old house at one extremity of 
 Crocus. They have a respectable name, folks say, but not 
 wealth to set it off ; and the household is small. The same 
 little boy who rubs down Mr. Kingsland's horse waits upon table, 
 and there is nobody else but a housekeeper. But Mr. Morgan 
 is thinking he will call, too; and Mr. Morgan is a man of 
 means, he owns a large part of Mill Hollow, called also Morton 
 Hollow. He occupies a great old brick house in the neigh- 
 bourhood of the Hollow, and keeps it in excellent repair, and 
 the grass of the lawn is well shaven. Mr. Morgan is well off, 
 and has servants enough, but he has years enough too : Mr. 
 Morgan must be forty. Nevertheless he thinks he will call. 
 
 Then there is Mrs. ex-Governor Powder also. She lives in 
 a very good house, and in an irreproachable manner, at a fine 
 place called Valley Garden, ten miles off. Mrs. Powder is an 
 excellent woman, a stately lady, knows what is what, and has 
 been a beauty and held a court of her own. Indeed, she is of 
 a proud old family, and married a little beneath her when she 
 married the man who afterwards became Governor Powder. 
 But what would you have ? Women must be married. Mrs. 
 
 106
 
 HOLDING COUKT. 107 
 
 Powder will come to see Miss Kennedy. She is thinking about 
 it ; but probably she will not come till to-morrow or the day 
 after, she is not in a hurry. Mme. Lasalle is, and so is the 
 gentleman of the roses, her nephew. Meanwhile Miss Kennedy 
 knows nothing of all this, nor how, furthermore, the lawyer's 
 wife and the doctor's mother (for there is another doctor at 
 Crocus) are meditating how soon they may ask Miss Kennedy 
 to dinner or to supper, and how soon it will do to go and ask 
 her. They are afraid of seeming in a hurry. Meanwhile Miss 
 Kennedy eats her breakfast. 
 
 Breakfast is had in the stone hall, with the doors open front 
 and rear, and the summer day looking in at them. It is very 
 pleasant, and the old black woman, Portia, comes and goes 
 without interfering with the talk at table. The sewing machine 
 stands at one side of the hall still. 
 
 'What new affair have you got there, my daughter?' says 
 the doctor. 
 
 ' It's a sewing machine, papa, which Duke has brought me.' 
 
 ' A sewing machine ! What are you going to do with it?' 
 
 ' Put her work in her pocket, I hope, sir. I am tired of 
 seeing it in her hand.' 
 
 ' It is very good of you, Duke ; but can she manage it ?' 
 
 ' Not yet, sir; neither of us can. We are going to find out.' 
 
 ' Well, what's the advantage of it?' 
 
 ' I brought it up, sir, in the hope and persuasion that it 
 would undertake the clothing of all the poor people at Crocus, 
 and give Rosy time to read philosophy.' 
 
 ' Why, papa,' said Rosy, ' it will do fifteen hundred stitches 
 a minute ! ' 
 
 ' You don't want to do more than that in a day, do you, my 
 dear?' said the doctor, with an expression of such innocent 
 amazement, not without some dismay, that they all burst out 
 laughing ; and Dr. Maryland, but half enlightened, went off to 
 his study. 
 
 Much before Primrose wished it, the horses came to the door. 
 Rollo had had his own saddle put upon Vixen, and the grey 
 cob stood charged with the paraphernalia which should accom- 
 pany the mistress of Chickaree. She had gone up to prepare
 
 108 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 for her ride, and now came to the front in habit and gauntlets 
 and whip, the rose-branch at her button-hole. 
 
 4 Oh,' she said, in tones so like a bird that the groom might 
 have been pardoned for looking up into the maple boughs 
 over his head to find her, ' you have made a mistake ! The 
 other horse is the one I ride. Will you change the saddles, 
 please? I am sorry to give you the trouble.' 
 
 The groom would have been in great bewilderment, but that 
 luckily his master stood there too. The man's look of appeal 
 was comical, going from one to the other. Rollo was looking at 
 girths and buckles, and did not seem to hear. Wych Hazi-1 
 waited, a slight growing doubt on the subject of his deaf- 
 ness not increasing the pliability of her mood. Then he came 
 towards her, and asked if she was ready. 
 
 ' I am, but my horse is not. 1 
 
 ' What is the matter with him ? ' 
 
 'I am very sorry to make any delay, Mr. Rollo, but the 
 saddles will have to be changed. I can't ride that grey horse.' 
 And she slipped her hat back, and sat down on the doorstep 
 to await the process. 
 
 ' There is no mistake,' said Rollo. ' The horses were saddled 
 by my order. I told him to give you the grey. Y"ou will for- 
 give me, I hope?' 
 
 ' Without asking me ! ' she said, giving him a rather wide- 
 open look of her eyes; and then, in a tone as cool as his 
 own ' I shall ride Vixen, Mr. Rollo, if I ride at all.' 
 
 4 1 hope you will reconsider that.' 
 
 4 Mr. Rollo,' she said in her gravest manner, ' you and I 
 seem fated to see something of each other, so it will save 
 trouble for you to know at once that when I say a thing 
 seriously, I mean it. ' 
 
 He lifted his hat with the old stately air, but then he smiled 
 at her. 
 
 ' Allow me to believe that you have said nothing seriously 
 this morning.' 
 
 Now, if Wych Hazel's mood was not pliable, his was the sort 
 of look to make it so. A calmly good-humoured brow, with a 
 clear, keen eye, and in both all that character of firm strength
 
 HOLDING COURT. 109 
 
 to which a woman's temper is apt to give way. If it had been 
 a question of temper in the ordinary sense ; but the lady of 
 Chickaree had nothing of the sort belonging to her that was 
 not as sweet as a rose. 
 
 ' Allow me ! ' she said, just a little bit mockingly. ' Well, 
 it's not true, if you do believe it. I shall ride Vixen, or 
 walk.' 
 
 ' That would be very serious,' said Rollo, 'for it is going to 
 be very hot. What is the matter with the grey cob ? ' 
 
 ' I don't like him and I do like Vixen.' 
 
 ' Have you ever ridden him ? ' 
 
 ' No ; and nothing in his appearance predicts that I ever 
 shall.' 
 
 ' I do not think that Vixen is fit for you to mount. I am 
 going to find out. If she is, you shall have her.' 
 
 ' You can study her as much as you please with me on her. 
 Why, what nonsense ! as if I didn't ride her all yesterday 
 afternoon ! ' 
 
 ' And gave us, if you recollect, afterwards,' said Hollo, look- 
 ing amused, ' the synopsis of her character.' 
 
 ' And now you think I am giving you the synopsis of mine,' 
 Baid Wych Hazel. ' Well, Mr. Rollo, of course your groom will 
 not mind me Will you order the saddles changed, or must I 
 walk?' 
 
 ' I shall not order the saddles changed. I am afraid. That 
 is no reason why you should be. Fear may be commendable in 
 a man, when it is not desirable in a woman.' 
 
 'But I cannot be bothered with anybody's fear but my 
 own.' 
 
 He faced her with the same bright, grave face he had worn 
 all along. ' I owe it to Mr. Falkirk to carry you back safe and 
 sound.' 
 
 She laughed her pretty mouth in a curl of fun. 
 
 ' Ah ! ' she said, ' before you deal extensively with self-willed 
 women, you need to study the subject. I see the case is hope- 
 less. If you had presented it right end first, Mr. Rollo, I 
 cannot tell what I might have said ; but as it is, I can only 
 walk.'
 
 110 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 She turned quick about towards Primrose, pulling her hat 
 back into its place ; which hat, being ill-disposed, first caught 
 on her comb, and then disengaged, carried the comb with it, 
 and down came Miss Hazel's hair about her shoulders, not in 
 ' wavy tresses' or ' rippling masses,' but in good, honest, way- 
 ward curls, and plenty of them, and all her own. The hat had 
 to come off now, and gloves as well, for both hands had as 
 much as they could manage. Hollo took the gloves, and held 
 the hat, and waited upon her with grave punctiliousness, while 
 Primrose looked anxious and annoyed. When hair and hat 
 were in order again, and he had delivered the gloves, Rollo 
 requested to be told by the peremptory little owner of them 
 4 what was the matter with the right end of the subject, now 
 she had got it?' 
 
 4 1 have not got it. The subject has only gradually been 
 turning round as I pushed, like a turnstile. Mr. Rollo, I think 
 it would do you a great deal of good to be thoroughly thwarted 
 and vexed two or three times ; then you would learn how to 
 do things.' 
 
 ' But, dear Miss Kennedy,' said Primrose's distressed voice, 
 ' you are not going to try to walk through this heat ? ' 
 
 Wych Hazel turned and wrapped her arms about Primrose. 
 ' Yes, I am ; but I don't think it's hot. And please, don't call 
 me " Miss Kennedy," your father does not.' 
 
 ' But it's four or five miles.' 
 
 ' I've walked more than that often. Good-bye ! Will you 
 let' 
 
 Primrose kissed her for answer, but then gave her a troubled 
 whisper ' I wish you wouldn't walk ; Duke is so sure to be 
 right about the horses.' 
 
 ' Sure to be right, is he ?' said Miss Kennedy. ' Well, I am 
 at least as sure to be wrong. Good-bye ! ' 
 
 Primrose stood looking doubtful and uncomfortable, and 
 afraid to say any more. Rollo smiled at her as he was leaving 
 the house, looking himself the reverse of uncomfortable, 
 ordered Byrom to lead the horses, and set out by the side of 
 Wych Hazel. He was not just in the genial mood of last night 
 and the morning, but cool and gay, as it was his fashion to
 
 HOLDING COURT. Ill 
 
 be, though gravely and punctiliously attentive to his charge, 
 cool, that is to say, as the day permitted, for the sun was 
 fervent, and pouring down his beams with an overwhelming 
 lavishness of bestowment. 
 
 On her part Wycb Hazel went quietly on, not with the undue 
 energy which shews some hidden excitement, but with a steady 
 step, and thoughts most abstractedly busy. She made no sort 
 of remark, unless in answer to her companion, and then with 
 very quiet look and voice. Her changeful face had settled into 
 a depth of soberness. Perhaps it was because of noticing this 
 that his manner grew more gently careful of her, in trifles 
 shewn, to be sure ; but the touch of a hand and the tone of a 
 word will tell all that as well as much greater things. Evidently 
 he read her, and was not angry with her, not even though the 
 way was long and hot. Happily it was not dusty, the shower 
 had laid the dust. With undimmed faces and unsoiled foot- 
 gear they paced on, rood after rood ; and Vixen, drooping her 
 head, followed at their heels. The groom had been sent back 
 with the cob, and Rollo walked with the bridle of Vixen in his 
 hands. Chickaree was reached at last. 
 
 4 What do you expect to find here?' said he, as they entered 
 the gate, and were going up the ascent. 
 
 4 Mr. Falkirk.' 
 
 4 There is much more awaiting you, then, than you expect. 
 Take care of that acacia branch ! See, you must send Dingee, 
 or somebody who is your factotum ? down here with pruning 
 tools. If / didn't know what to expect, I would try hard for 
 a saw and do it myself this morning. You have scratched 
 your hand ? ' 
 
 4 Never mind yes. I should have kept on my gloves, but it 
 was so warm. What do you expect, Mr. Rollo, besides luncheon ? 
 You will stay for that, won't you ? ' she said shyly, yet with a 
 pretty enacting of the hostess. The touch of her own ground 
 made her feel better. 
 
 4 1 should have to stay for so many other things,' he said, 
 looking on the ground as he walked. 
 
 She glanced at him, not quite sure whether his worda 
 covered a negative, and not choosing to ask.
 
 112 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 4 All this while you don't know that there is company at 
 Chickaree?' 
 
 ' Company ! how do you know ? ' 
 
 4 I know by the signs. You will find, I think, Mme. Lasalle 
 up there, and probably a few of her family.' 
 
 4 Mme. Lasalle ! ' 
 
 By what connection did not appear, but Miss Hazel's fingers 
 were immediately very busy disengaging the rose-branch from 
 the button of her habit, where it had hung during the walk. 
 
 ' I think that is the prospect. But I do not know that I am 
 under any obligation to meet her, so I think I shall prefer the 
 company of your vixenish little mare, not to speak of the 
 chance of encountering Mr. Falkirk,' said Eollo, lifting his 
 eyebrows. 4 1 shouldn't like to stand Mr. Falkirk's shot this 
 morning ! ' 
 
 4 It will hit nobody but me,' she said rather soberly. 
 
 ' Is he a good marksman ? ' 
 
 ' Depends a little on what he aims at,' said the girl. 4 It is 
 easier, sometimes as perhaps you know to hit people than 
 things.' 
 
 ' Take care ! ' said Rollo again, as another obstacle in the path 
 presented itself. ' I don't mean anything shall hit you while 
 I have the care of you.' Putting his hands for an instant on 
 the girl's shoulders, he removed her lightly from one side of 
 the walk to the other, and then attacked a sweeping dogwood 
 branch, which, very lovely but very presuming, hung just too 
 low. It cost a little trouble to dispose of it. 
 
 They were not on the great carriage road, but following one 
 of the embowered paths which led through the woods. Ifc 
 went winding up under trees of great beauty, thickset, and 
 now, for long default of mastership, overbearing and encroach- 
 ing in then* growth. A wild beauty they made, now becoming 
 fast disorderly and in places rough. The road wound about 
 so much that their progress was slow. 
 
 'Chickaree has had no guardian for a good while,' said 
 Rollo, as they went on. 4 Look at that elm, and the ashes 
 beyond it ! But don't cut too much, when you cut here, nor 
 let Mr. Falkirk.'
 
 HOLDING COURT. 113 
 
 ' He shall not cut a branch ! and I love the thickets -too well 
 to meddle with them, unless they actually come in my face.' 
 
 'Then you do not love the thickets well enough. Come 
 here,' said he, drawing her gently to one side ; ' stand a little 
 this way. Do you see how that white oak is crowding upon 
 those two ashes? They are suffering already ; and in another 
 year it would be in the way of that beautiful spruce fir. And 
 the white oak itself is not worth all that.' 
 
 ' But if you cut it down, there will be a great blank space. 
 The crowding is much prettier than that.' 
 
 ' The blank space in two years' time will be filled again.' 
 
 'So soon?' she said doubtfully. Then, with one of her 
 half laughs ' You see I do not believe pruning and thinning 
 out and reducing to order agrees with everything ; and naturally 
 enough my sympathies are the other way. I like to see the 
 stiff leaves and the soft leaves all mixed up together, they 
 shew best so. Not standing off in open space, like Mr. Falkirk 
 and me.' 
 
 He took her up in the same tone ; and for a little more of 
 the way there was a delicious bit of talk. Delicious, because 
 Wych Hazel had eyes and capacities, and her companion's 
 eyes and capacities were trained and accomplished. He was 
 at home in the subject. He brought forward his reading and 
 his seeing for her behoof ; recommended Ruskin, and gave her 
 some disquisitions of his own that Ruskin need not have been 
 ashamed of. For those ten or fifteen minutes he was a differ- 
 ent man from what Wych Hazel had ever seen him. Then the 
 house came in sight, and a new subject claimed their attention ; 
 for the mare, whether scenting her stable, or finding her 
 spirits raised by getting nearer home, abandoned her quiet 
 manner of going, and, after a little dancing and pulling her 
 bridle, testified her disapprobation of all sorts of restraint by 
 flinging her heels into the air, and, being obliged to follow her 
 leader, she repeated the amusement continuously. 
 
 ' Do your drawing-room windows look on the front ? ' said 
 Rollo. 
 
 ' Some of them. Why ? ' 
 
 'Then by your leave, as I do not care to act the Merry
 
 114 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 Andrew for half a dozen pair of eyes, I will go to the rear to 
 mount.' But instead of his more stately salutation, he held 
 out his hand to Wych Hazel with a smile. 
 
 ' Good-bye,' she said, giving hers. ' I am sorry you have 
 had such a hot walk. But why don't you mount here ? ' 
 
 ' I like to choose my audience when I exhibit.' 
 
 He clasped Wych Hazel's hand after the fashion of the other 
 day, then disappeared one way as she went the other. 
 
 Passing swiftly on, holding up her long riding skirt so that 
 it seemed no encumbrance, musing to herself on past events 
 and present expectations, and not without a certain flutter of 
 pleasure and amusement and timidity at the part she had to 
 fill, Wych Hazel reached the low, broad steps, and went in. 
 
 A slender little person, as airy and independent as the bush 
 she was named for ; one of those figures that never by any 
 chance fall into any attitude or take any pose that is not 
 lovely. Hair, as to arrangement, decidedly the worse for the 
 walk; cheeks a little warmed up with the sun, and perhaps 
 other things ; grave eyes, where the woman was but beginning 
 to supplant the child ; a mouth as sweet as it could be, in all 
 its changes; and a hand and foot that were fabulous. So the 
 mistress of Chickaree went in to receive her first instalment of 
 visitors.
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 SUE was scarcely within the door, when Mr. Falkirk met her, 
 put her arm within his, and led her into the drawing-room. 
 For a few minutes there the impression was merely of a flutter 
 of gauzes, a shifting scene of French bonnets, a show of deli- 
 cately-gloved hands, and a general breeze of compliments and 
 gratulations in those soft and indeterminate tones that stir 
 nothing. Mme. Lasalle it was, with a bevy of ladies, older and 
 younger, among whom it was impossible at first to distinguish 
 one from the other, so similar was in every case the display 
 of French flowers, gloves, and embroidery ; so accordant the 
 make of every dress and the modulation of every tone. Mme. 
 Lasalle herself was, however, prominent, having a pair of black 
 eyes which once fairly seen were for ever after easily recog- 
 nizable, fine eyes too, bright and merry, which made them- 
 selves quite at home in your face in half a minute. She was 
 overflowing with graciousness. Her nephew, the gentleman 
 of the roses, the only cavalier of the party, kept himself in a 
 modest background. 
 
 ' I have been longing to see you at home, my dear,' said 
 Mme. Lasalle. ' All in good time ; but I always am impatient 
 for what I want. And we have all wanted you; the places 
 of social comfort in the neighbourhood are so few that we 
 cannot afford to have Chickaree shut up. This beautiful 
 old house ! I am so delighted to be in it again ! But I hope 
 you have met with no accident this morning. You have 
 not?' 
 
 'Accident? Oh no!' 
 
 4 You have surely not been thrown ? ' said another lady. 
 
 115
 
 116 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 ' No, ma'am.' The demure face was getting all alight with 
 secret fun. 
 
 'But how was it?' pursued Mme. Lasalle, with an air of 
 interest. ' We saw you walk up to the door what had become 
 of your horse ? ' 
 
 ' He walked to another door.' 
 
 ' And have you really been taking foot exercise this morn- 
 ing?' said the lady, in whose eyes and the lines of her face 
 might be seen a slight shadow. Miss Kennedy then had been 
 on foot of choice and so accompanied ! And TVych Hazel was 
 too inexperienced to notice but her guardian was not that 
 Mr. Nightingale, to whom he had been talking, paused in his 
 attention, and turned to catch the answer. 
 
 'I have been finding out that my woods need attention,' 
 said Miss Kennedy, who never chose to be catechized if she 
 could help it. ' It is astonishing that they can have grown so 
 much in these years, when I have grown so little.' 
 
 ' You have got to make acquaintance with a great many 
 other things here besides your trees. Do you know any of 
 your neighbours, or is it all unbroken ground? ' 
 
 ' I do not even know how much there is to break.' 
 
 1 How delicious !' remarked a languid lady. ' Think of 
 coming into a region where all is new ! Things get so tire- 
 some when you know them too well.' 
 
 4 People and all ?' said Mr. Falkirk. 
 
 ' "Well, yes don't you think they do ? when there is nothing 
 more to be found out about them.' 
 
 ' I don't agree with you,' said another lady. ' I think it's so 
 tiresome to find them out. When you once know them, then 
 you give up being disappointed.' 
 
 ' My dear Clara ! ' said Mme. Lasalle, ' what a misanthro- 
 pical sentiment. Miss Kennedy, I know by her face, will never 
 agree with you. Were you ever disappointed, my dear, in your 
 life ? There ! I know you were not.' 
 
 ' Not often, I think.' 
 
 What were they talking about these people who looked so 
 gay and spoke so languidly ? Miss Kennedy rang for refresh- 
 ments, hoping to revive them a little.
 
 GOSSIP. 117 
 
 ' But, my dear, how far have you walked in this hot sun ? 
 You see you quite dismay us country people. Do tell us ! 
 How far have you walked ?' 
 
 ' The miles are as unknown to me as the inhabitants,' she 
 said gaily. ' But we brown people are never afraid of the sun.' 
 
 ' Miles !' said Mme. Lasalle, looking round her. ' Imagine it !' 
 Then, as the lady took a piece of cake, she remarked casually, 
 ' I think I saw an old acquaintance of mine with you Dane 
 Kollo, was it not?' 
 
 ' Mr. Eollo ? Yes.' 
 
 ' He has not been to see me since he came home ; I shall 
 quarrel with him. I wonder if he has been to Mrs. Powder's. 
 Mr. Falkirk, don't you think Dane had a great penchant for 
 one of Mrs. Powder's beautiful daughters before he went 
 abroad ?' 
 
 ' I am not in the confidence of either party, madam,' replied 
 Mr. Falkirk. 
 
 ' If he had, he would have taken her with him,' said another 
 of the party 
 
 ' 0, that do I't follow, you know. May be her mother thought 
 she was too young or he, perhaps. She is a beautiful girl.' 
 
 ' Not my style -of beauty,' said the languid lady, with an air 
 of repulsion. 
 
 ' What has he been doing in Europe all this time ?' pursued 
 Mme. Lasalle. ' Been to Norway, hasn't he ?' 
 
 ' I believe he went there.' 
 
 4 He has relations there, Dr. Maryland told me.' 
 
 1 Dr. Maryland knows,' said Mr. Falkirk. 
 
 ' Perhaps he will settle in Norway.' 
 
 ' Perhaps he will.' 
 
 ' But how dreadful for his wife ! Mrs. Powder would not 
 like that. He's a great favourite of mine, Dane is ; but I am 
 afraid he has rather a reputution for breaking ladies' hearts. 
 What do you think, Mr. Falkirk ? He is welcome everywhere. 
 May be it's Norwegian fashion ; but I think Dr. Maryland is 
 very imprudent to let him come into his house again if he 
 does. Do you know the Marylands, my dear?' turning to 
 Wych Hazel again.
 
 118 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 ' They knew me long ago,' she said. ' I have been here hut 
 two days now.' 
 
 'The daughter this daughter is a singular girl, is she 
 not? 1 
 
 ' I do not know I like her,' said Wych Hazel. 
 
 * Oh, she's very queer !' said another young lady. 
 
 ' I have no doubt she is good,' Mme. Lasalle went on, ' no 
 doubt at all. But I have heard she lives in a strange way 
 among children and poor people going about preaching and 
 making clothes. A little of that is all very well. I suppose we 
 might all do more of it, and not hurt ourselves ; but is not Miss 
 Maryland quite an enthusiast ?' 
 
 Wych Hazel was getting very much amused. 
 
 ' She was not enthusiastic over me,' she said ; ' and I have 
 not seen her tried with anything else. Where does she preach ?' 
 
 ' You will find her out. Wait till you know her a little 
 better. She will preach to you, I have no doubt. Prudentia 
 Mrs. Coles is very different She is really a charming woman. 
 But, my dear Miss Kennedy, we have been here a length of 
 time that it will not do to talk about. We have had no mercy 
 upon Mr. Falkirk, for we were determined to see you. Now 
 you must come and spend the day with me to-morrow, and I'll 
 tell you everything. We are going on a fishing expedition up 
 the Arrow, and we want you ; and you must come early, for 
 we must take the cool of the morning to go and the cool of the 
 afternoon to come back. I'll see you home safe. Come, say 
 yes. 1 
 
 ' I will, if Mr. Falkirk does, ma'am, very gladly.' 
 
 ' Let her go !' whispered another member of the party, who 
 had been using her eyes more than her tongue. ' Give her a 
 loose rein now, Mr. Falkirk, and hold her in when Kitty Fisher 
 comes.' 
 
 1 Pshaw ! she isn't under guardianship at that rate,' said 
 Mme. Lasalle. ' Mr. Falkirk, isn't this lady free yet ?' 
 
 ' I am afraid she never will be, madam.' 
 
 'What do you mean by that? But does she have to ask 
 your leave for everything she does?' 
 
 'No one acquainted with the wisdom of Miss Kennedy's
 
 GOSSIP. 119 
 
 general proceedings would do me so much honour as to think 
 the wisdom all came from me,' said Mr. Falkirk dryly. 
 
 ' Well, you'll let her come to Moscheloo?' 
 
 ' Certainly.' 
 
 The lady looked to Wych Hazel. The laughing eyes had 
 grown suddenly quiet. It was with a very dignified bend of 
 the head that she repeated Mr. Falkirk's assent. 
 
 'I shall not ask yow,' said the lady to Miss Kennedy's 
 guardian ; ' it is a young party entirely, and must not have too 
 much wisdom, you understand. I'll bring her home.' 
 
 ' I am no sportsman, madam,' said Mr. Falkirk, with a smile ; 
 ' and my wisdom will probably be busy to-morrow in Miss 
 Kennedy's plantations.' 
 
 With that the train of ladies swept away, with renewed 
 soft words of pleasure and hope and congratulation. They 
 rustled softly through the hall, gently spoke ecstasies at the 
 hall door, mounted upon their horses and got into their 
 carriages, and departed. 
 
 Mr. Falkirk came back to his ward in the hall. 
 
 ' Now that to-morrow is provided for,' he said, ' I should be 
 glad to hear, Miss Hazel, the history of yesterday. It is quite 
 impossible to know a story from Dingee's telling of it. And do 
 you think you could give me some luncheon ?' 
 
 ' Certainly, sir.' She was just disposing of hat and whip 
 upon a ^particular pair of chamois horns on the wall. They 
 hung a little high for her, and she was springing to reach them, 
 like any airiest creature that ever made a spring. ' Perhaps 
 you will be so kind as to be seated, Mr. Falkirk in the dining- 
 room for a moment? Dingee!' her voice rang softly out, 
 clear as an oriole. ' Luncheon at once do you hear, Dingee ? 
 Don't keep Mr. Falkirk waiting.' 
 
 Mr. Falkirk stood still, looking at all this, and waiting with 
 an unmoved face. 
 
 ' Will you excuse my habit, sir, as you are in haste? And 
 am I to give you the " history" here, all standing ?' 
 
 ' Go but come !' said Mr. Falkirk. ' We have met only one 
 division of the enemy yet, my dear.' 
 
 She glanced at him, and went off, and was back, all fresh
 
 120 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 and dainty and fragrant, with the sweetbriar at her belt. Then 
 silently made herself busy with the luncheon, creamed Mr. 
 Falkirk's chocolate, then suddenly exclaimed 
 
 4 Could you make nothing of my version, sir?' 
 
 ' Not much. "Where were you going ?' 
 
 ' I was coming home.* 
 
 ' From Dr. Maryland's?' 
 
 ' Not at all, sir. I should have said I was on my way home, 
 and the storm began, and I took a cross road to expedite 
 matters, and then I grew desperate, and ran into an unknown, 
 open door, and so found myself at Dr. Maryland's.' 
 
 ' Very intelligible. My question looked to the beginning of 
 your expedition.' 
 
 1 "Well, sir, I would rather but it does not signify. There 
 came a small Bohemian here in the morning, to get help for her 
 sick mother, and I went. That is all.' 
 
 1 Who is the mother, Miss Hazel ? Where does she live ? ' 
 
 ' I don't know her name and her habitation only when I 
 see it. All places are alike to me here yet, you know.' 
 
 'My dear,' said Mr. Falkirk gravely, 'you must see that, 
 being so ignorant of people and things in this region, you had 
 better not make sudden expeditions without taking me into 
 your confidence. Dingee said you rode the little black mare ? ' 
 
 ' True, sir.' 
 
 * You did not like her well enough to ride her home ? ' 
 
 ' Quite well enough, sir.' 
 
 'You did not do it?' 
 
 ' No,' said Wych Hazel; ' that Norwegian pirate took her for 
 his own use, and I walked.' 
 
 ' Wouldn't let you ride her, eh ? ' and a curious gleam came 
 into Mr. Falkirk's eyes. 
 
 ' " Wanted to try her first," and was " bound to be afraid, 
 though I was not," and " couldn't answer it to you," and so 
 forth, and so forth. A man can generally find words enough.' 
 
 ' Depend upon it, my dear, he generally borrows them of a 
 woman.' Mr. Falkirk's face relaxed slightly, and he took a 
 turn across the room, then stood still. ' Why didn't you ride 
 the cob home 9
 
 GOSSIP. 121 
 
 1 1 did not choose, sir. I should, if I had been asked properly .' 
 
 ' Were you not asked ? ' 
 
 4 No, except by having my saddle put on that horse, and 
 then not taking it off.' 
 
 ' You made the demand ? ' 
 
 ' Of course. That is, I told the groom to do it.' 
 
 Mr. Falkirk smiled and then laughed, or came as near to 
 laughing as he often did. 
 
 ' So you wouldn't ask him into the house ? But did you see 
 anybody else in your yesterday's expedition, my dear ? ' 
 
 She glanced up at him, evidently growing restive under this 
 cross-questioning. 
 
 ' I saw Mr. Nightingale.' 
 
 ' Nightingale ! ' echoed Mr. Falkirk ; ' where did you see Mr. 
 Nightingale, Miss Kennedy ? ' 
 
 ' In the woods.' 
 
 ' And what the My dear, what were you doing in the 
 woods ? ' 
 
 ' Won't you finish your first sentence first, sir ? I like to - 
 take things in order.' 
 
 Mr. Falkirk's brows drew together ; he looked down, and 
 then he looked up, awaiting his answer. 
 
 ' I was doing nothing in the woods, sir, but finding my way 
 home.' 
 
 ' How came lie to be there ? Did he speak to you ? ' 
 
 4 Yes, sir, he spoke to me.' 
 
 ' What did he say ? ' said Mr. Falkirk, looking very gravely 
 intent. 
 
 'Before we go any further, Mr. Falkirk,' said the girl 
 steadily, though she coloured a good deal, 'is it to be your 
 pleasure in future to know every word that may be said to me ? 
 Because in that case it will be needful to engage a reporter. 
 You must see, sir, that I should never be equal to it.' 
 
 ' My dear,' said Mr. Falkirk slowly, ' we are embarked on a 
 search after fortune ; which always. embraced on my part an 
 earnest purpose to avoid misfortune.' 
 
 ' You sit there,' she went on, scarce heeding him, ' and ask 
 me " where I was " and " where I was going" and " what I
 
 122 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 did," as if I would forget myself among strange people, in this 
 strange place I And then you take it for granted that I would 
 be rude to one person whom I do know, just because he had 
 vexed me ! I did ask him in, and he wouldn't come. I am 
 unpractised wild, may be but am I so unwomanly, Mr.- 
 Falkirk ? Do you think I am ? * It was almost pitiful the 
 way the young eyes scanned his face. If Mr. Falkirk had not 
 been a guardian. But he was steel. 
 
 Yet even steel will give forth flashes, and one of those flashes 
 came from under Mr. Falkirk's brows now. His answer was 
 very quiet 
 
 ' My dear, I think you no more unwomanly than I think a 
 rose unlovely ; but the rose has thorns, which sometimes prick 
 the hands that would train it out of harm's way. And it might 
 occur even to your inexperience, that when a gentleman who 
 does not know you presumes to address you, he can have nothing 
 to say which it would not on several accounts be proper for me 
 to hear.' 
 
 Again the colour bloomed up. 
 
 ' You would know, if you were a woman, Mr. Falkirk, how 
 it feels to have a man sit and question you with such an air. 
 Ah !' she said, dashing off the tears which had gathered in her 
 eyes, ' if you really think I can take no better care of myself 
 than that, you should not have said I might go with those people 
 to-morrow. A rose's thorns are for protection, sir ! ' 
 
 And away she went, out of the room and up the stairs ; and 
 Mr. Falkirk heard no more till Dingee entered with fruit and 
 biscuits, and 
 
 ' Missee Hazel hope you'll enjoy yours, sar ; she take hers 
 up-stars.' 
 
 Mr. Falkirk put on his hat and walked down to his house. 
 
 It was a slight fiction on the part of Dingee to say that Miss 
 Hazel was taking her lunch up-stairs; indeed, the whole message 
 was a free translation from her 
 
 ' Dingee, attend to Mr. Falkirk's lunch ; I do not want any.' 
 
 Presently now came Dingee to her with another message. 
 
 ' Massa Morton, he 'inos" dyin' to see Miss Hazel, but he wait 
 till she done had her lunch.'
 
 GOSSIP. 123 
 
 And she flashed down upon Mr. Morton's eyes like a prison- 
 caught sunbeam. By this time there were two pairs of eyes to 
 be dazzled. Mr. Dell had made his appearance on the stage. 
 
 Mr. Dell was a clergyman of a different denomination, who, 
 like Dr. Maryland, had a church to take care of at Crocus. Mr. 
 Dell's was a little church, at the opposite corner of the village 
 and society. He himself was a good-hearted, plain man, with 
 no savour of elegance about him, though with more than the 
 usual modicum of sense and shrewdness. Appearance con- 
 formable to character. Mr. Morton was not very far from 
 Mr. Falkirk's range of years, though making more attempts to 
 conceal the fact. Kich, well-educated, well-mannered, a little 
 heavy, he had married very young; and now a widower of 
 twenty years' standing, the sight of Wych Hazel had suggested 
 to him what a nice thing it would be to be married again. 
 The estates too suited each other, even touched at one point. 
 With this gentleman "Wych Hazel had some slight acquaintance, 
 and he introduced Mr. Dell, thinking privately to himself how 
 absurd it was for such men to come visiting such women. 
 
 ' I see with pleasure that you have quite recovered from the 
 fatigues of your journey, Miss Kennedy. A day's rest will 
 often do wonders.' 
 
 ' Yes, sir. Especially if you spend a good piece of it on 
 horseback, as I did.' 
 
 4 On horseback ! ' said Mr. Morton, looking doubtful (he 
 hoped she was not going to turn out one of those riding damsels, 
 who went roughshod over all his ideas of propriety). ' Did 
 you go out so soon to explore the country ?' 
 
 ' No, sir. I went out on business.' 
 
 * Ah ! ' (How admirable in so young a person !) 
 
 4 There is business enough in city or country,' said straight- 
 forward Mr. Dell, ' if you are disposed to take hold of it. Even 
 our little Crocus will give you plenty.' 
 
 ' All the year round, sir ? or does Crocus go to sleep in the 
 winter, like most other bulbs ? ' 
 
 ' It is another species from any that you are acquainted with, 
 I am afraid,' said the clergyman, looking at her with mingled 
 curiosity and admiration. ' Bulbs when they go to sleep require
 
 124 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 no attention, I believe, but our Crocus wants most of all in the 
 cold season. We want lady gardeners too,' said Mr. Dell, fol- 
 lowing the figure. 
 
 ' It is a most healthful exercise,' said Mr. Morton ; ' and the 
 slight disadvantages of dress, etc., rather form a pleasant foil, 
 I think, to the perfection of attire at other times. Are you fond 
 of gardening, Miss Kennedy ? ' 
 
 * Very fond,' said Miss Kennedy demurely. ' But that ia 
 one of the times when I like to be particularly perfect in my 
 attire, Mr. Morton. Why, Mr. Dell, the bulbs must be kept 
 from freezing, you know, if they are asleep. Isn't Miss Mary- 
 land one of your successful gardeners ? ' 
 
 'Miss Maryland does all she can, madam,' said Mr. Dell 
 earnestly. ' She has been the good angel of the village for 
 five years past.' 
 
 ' That is just what she looks like,' said Wych, with a glow of 
 pleasure. ' And I'm going to help her all I can.' 
 
 4 But do you not think,' said Mr. Morton, with the dubious 
 look again, ' you are talking, I imagine, of Miss Maryland's 
 visits among the lower classes, do not you think they make a 
 young lady too prominent too public Mr. Dell ? They bring 
 her among very rough people, Miss Kennedy, I assure you.' 
 
 ' But, sir, one would not lose the chance of being a good 
 angel for the fear of being prominent ! ' 
 ' Or for the fear of anything else,' said Mr. Dell. 
 'Truly not,' said Mr. Morton. 'But we gentlemen think, Miss 
 Kennedy, that ladies of a certain stamp can scarcely fail of so 
 desirable a position.' 
 
 ' Ah, but I want a pair of lona fide wings I ' said Wych 
 Hazel ; and she looked so comically innocent and witch-like, 
 that Mr. Morton forgot all else in admiration ; and Mr. Dell 
 looked at her with all his eyes, as he remarked 
 
 ' Not to fly away from the poor and needy, as many of Mr. 
 Morton's angels do? 1 
 
 ' Do they ? ' said Wych Hazel. ' Where do they fly to ? Mr. 
 Morton, what becomes of your angels? ' 
 
 ' My angels,' said Mr. Morton, with some emphasis on the 
 pronoun, ' would never be in the majority. When I said " ladies
 
 GOSSIP. 125 
 
 of a certain stamp," I by no means intended to say that the 
 class was a large one.' 
 
 ' No, sir, of course not. If the class were large, I should 
 suppose the stamp would become very uncertain. Mr. Dell, 
 what does Crocus want most just now ? ' 
 
 ' I should say angels,' said Mr. Dell. 
 
 He spoke with a smile, but with a shrewd and sensible eye 
 withal. He was not a beauty, but he had mettle in hion. 
 
 ' That's a bad want in the present state of the case as set 
 forth by Mr. Morton. Are gold angels good for anything as a 
 substitute ? ' 
 
 ' Good for very little. When I said angels, I spoke of what 
 the world most wants, as well as Crocus, angels in human 
 form, I mean, or rather in their human state of initiation. 
 There is no substitute. Gold will do something, but nothing 
 of what a good man or a good woman will do anywhere.' 
 
 'Miss Kennedy,' said Mr. Morton, rising, 'I regret much that 
 a business appointment calls me away. But if you will indulge 
 me, I will call again in the afternoon, and perhaps I may hope 
 for your company on a drive. You must make acquaintance 
 with this fine region.' 
 
 ' Thank you ' "Wych Hazel hesitated, looking for some 
 retreat, finally took shelter behind her guardian, ' thank you, 
 sir. I will ask Mr. Falkirk.' 
 
 ' Miss Kennedy,' said Mr. Morton, extending his hand, 'you 
 must allow me to express my admiration ! I wish other young 
 ladies were so thoughtful and prudent. But if they were, it 
 would not make your conduct less remarkable.' 
 
 And Mr. Morton departed ; while Wych Hazel, turning a sharp 
 pirouette on one toe, dropped into her chair like a thistle-down. 
 But all that appeared to the eyes of Mr. Dell was a somewhat 
 extensive flutter of muslin. He had no time to remark upon it 
 nor upon anything else, as there immediately succeeded a flutter 
 of muslin in another direction, just entering in by the door ; 
 which secondary flutter was furnished by the furbelows of Mrs. 
 Fellows, the lawyer's wife, and the scarf of Mrs. Dell, the 
 mother of the clergyman himself. There was no more question 
 about angels.
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 OX HORSEBACK. 
 
 THE next morning Mr. Falkirk appeared in the breakfast room, 
 as was his very frequent though not invariable wont. 
 
 ' T want your orders, Miss Hazel, about horses.' 
 
 Hazel, deep in a great wicker tray of flowers, looked up to 
 consider the question. 
 
 ' Well, sir, we want carriage horses, of course, and saddle 
 horses. And I want a pony carriage.' 
 
 ' I don't think you need two carriages at present. The pony 
 carriage would have to have a pony.' 
 
 'Yes, sir. Pony carriages, I believe, generally do. I am 
 not well enough known in the neighbourhood yet to expect 
 other means of setting my wheels in motion. But if I have 
 nothing tut that, Mr. Falkirk, then you and I can never go 
 together.' 
 
 4 And if you do not have that, then you could not go 
 alone.' 
 
 ' Precisely, sir. Mr. Falkirk, don't you want a rose what 
 shall I say ! to do something to your meditations ? ' And 
 before Mr. Falkirk had time to breathe, she was down on her 
 knees at his side, and fastening an exquisite Duchess of Thu- 
 ringia in his buttonhole. 
 
 ' Yes, I look like it ! ' said he grimly, but suffering her fingers 
 to do their will nevertheless. ' Miss Hazel, if the princess goes 
 about in a pony carriage, I shall be in daily expectation of its 
 turning into a pumpkin, and leaving her on the ground some- 
 where.' 
 
 'No, sir ; not the least fear of your turning into an amiable 
 godmother, and you know that was essential ! '
 
 ON HORSEBACK. 127 
 
 ' Ponies are ugly things,' said Mr. Falkirk ruefully. ' How- 
 ever, I'll ask Hollo, and if he can find one that suits him' 
 
 ' Then do let him keep it ! ' interposed Miss Hazel, facing 
 round. ' What possible concern of Mr. Rollo's are my horses ? ' 
 ' Simply that I am going to ask him to choose them. He 
 knows more about such things than any one else, and I dare 
 say he will give me his help. I wanted to know your fancy, 
 though very likely it can't be met, about the other horses 
 colour and so forth.' 
 
 1 Not white and not black,' said Wych Hazel. ' And not 
 sorrel nor cream.' 
 
 ' That is lucid. You said saddle horses. Ah ! what's this?' 
 It was a little combination of brisk sounds in the hall, fol- 
 lowed by the entrance of Hollo himself in a grey fisherman's 
 dress. Unless he was very hard to suit, he might have enjoyed 
 the picture now opened before him. The pretty room, with its 
 garden outlook ; the breakfast table, bright and quaint, together 
 with its old-time furnishings; and flowers everywhere, arranged 
 and unarranged. As he came in, Wych Hazel had just (quite 
 surreptitiously) hung a garland of pansies on the high carved 
 peak of Mr. Falkirk's chair, and then dropped into her own 
 place, with a De Rohan rose in the bolt of her grey dress. Not 
 in the least like Rollo's grey, but white with the edge taken 
 off, like a pale cloud. 
 
 ' So ! ' she said, looking up at him as he stood beside her. 
 ' have you come to confess ? ' 
 
 ' Not this time. I have come to ask if I may catch some of 
 your trout if I can.' 
 
 'Not this time. If you wait for another, the score will be 
 heavier.' 
 
 ' May I have your trout? ' 
 
 ' Really, if they give their consent, I will. Good morning, 
 Mr. Rollo! Will you sit down and let me give you some 
 coffee?' 
 
 ' As I came for that too, I will, thank you. Will you lend 
 me Vixen to-day ? ' 
 
 ' Why, yes, as I am going fishing myself, and so cannot use 
 her,' said Miss Hazel, giving critical attention to cream and
 
 128 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 sugar. But it is very good of me, after the way you have 
 behaved.' 
 
 ' It is very good of you. Is that thing all you have got to 
 ride, except the respectable cob ? ' 
 
 ' Half -broken, isn't she ? ' asked Mr. Falkirk. 
 
 ' Half ? hardly. She shies wickedly.' 
 
 ' I am glad Hazel hears you. I hope she will not mount her 
 again after that.' 
 
 Hollo's eyes came over to Wych Hazel's with an expression 
 she could not quite read. It was not petitioning it might be 
 a little inquisitive. But she chose rather to answer Mr. 
 Falkirk. 
 
 'I needed no help to find out that she shied, sir. Then I 
 have a little sympathy with that particular species of what Mr. 
 Rollo is pleased to call " wickedness." ' 
 
 ' It is very unfair, of course,' said Rollo, ' to speak of an 
 action from its results, but we all do it. Now a horse's shying 
 may break your neck. It is true a lady's shying may break 
 your heart, but that don't count.' 
 
 ' We were just talking about horses, Rollo. I want your 
 help.' 
 
 ' I will give it with promptness if Miss Kennedy command 
 me.' 
 
 ' Mr. Rollo's innocent way of talking about commands would 
 deceive anybody but me,' said Wych Hazel. ' But I am learn- 
 ing to know him by slow and painful degrees.' 
 
 The only answer to this was a mischievous smile, which did 
 not embolden further charges. But whether boldly or not, 
 Hazel went on with a fair show at least of bravery 
 
 ' What was that I was told so impressively yesterday ? ' she 
 said : ' " There are circumstances where fear is highly com- 
 mendable in a woman, when it is yet not desirable in a man." 
 And after all that, did you not speed away like a very poltroon, 
 and leave me to face everything by myself? Confess, Mr. 
 Rollo 1 ' The demure eyes were brimming with fun. 
 
 'How much did you have to face?' asked the gentleman, 
 taking another roll. 
 
 'Ten people and two catechisms. And if Mme. Lasalle
 
 ON HOESEBACK. 129 
 
 says true Have you a sketching club here ? and is she its 
 president?' 
 
 ' We have no such club and it has no such president ; and 
 whether Mme. Lasalle says true is a matter entirely un- 
 known to me. Do you say you are going fishing to-day, Miss 
 Kennedy?' 
 
 'Mr. Falkirk told Mme. Lasalle I might. And she is to 
 " tell me everything," fill up her sketches, I suppose ; so the 
 sport may be extensive. Yesterday her pencil marks were 
 delightfully indistinct, and made the most charming confusion 
 between cats and dogs and canary birds. Miss Maryland was 
 a preacher her father the personification of imprudence and 
 you' 
 
 She had run on in a sort of gleeful play, not at all guessing 
 what the pencil marks really meant, and stopped short now 
 only for fear her play might chafe. 
 
 'What was I?' said Rollo, with a quietness that was 
 evidently careless. 
 
 'You,' said Wych Hazel impressively, 'were (in a general 
 way) a Norwegian, a Dane, making your way everywhere 
 and laying waste the country.' 
 
 Something in Mr. Falkirk's face as she finished these words 
 made her instinct take alarm. The colour mounted suddenly. 
 
 ' Oh, please do not speak to me again anybody 1 ' she said, 
 looking down. ' I was all alone yesterday afternoon, and had 
 to descend into the depths of Morton Hollow, and I believe I 
 am a little wild at getting back. And Mr. Morton, sir Oh, 
 you have not asked what he said to me ! ' She checked herself 
 again, too late ! Whatever should she do with her tongue to 
 keep it still. The Carnille de Rohan at her belt was hardly 
 deeper dyed than she. 
 
 ' What about Mr. Morton ? ' said Rollo. ' Forgive somebody 
 for speaking but it was impossible to ask without 1 ' 
 
 ' Oh, nothing, only a compliment for Mr. Falkirk,' said the 
 girl, trying to rally. 'And Mr. Falkirk had said And I have 
 lived so long alone with Mr. Falkirk that I have got into a very 
 bad habit of forgetting that anybody else can be present ! ' 
 
 It did not exactly help on the progress of self-control, that 
 I
 
 130 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 at this point Dingee came in, bearing in both hands a lovely 
 basket of hothouse grapes and nectarines, themselves specimens 
 of perfection, with a long wreathing stem of wonderful white 
 orchids laid across its other treasures. Dingee evidently 
 enjoyed his share in the business, for his white teeth were in a 
 glitter. 
 
 ' Mass' Morton, Miss Hazel, he done send 'em to my young 
 mistiss, wid his greatest 'spects. He say he done percolate de 
 Hollow and couldn't find nuffin more gorgeous, or he'd send 
 him. 1 
 
 ' Dingee 1 ' said his young mistress, flashing round upon him, 
 ' do you venture to bring me a made up message ? Take the 
 basket to Mr. Falkirk!' 
 
 But she shrank back then, as they saw, with extreme shy- 
 ness. The little fingers trembled, trying to busy themselves 
 among spoons and cups ; and one pitiful glance towards Mr. 
 Falkirk besought him to take the affair into his own hands, 
 and send whatever return message might be needful. Oh, to 
 be a child, and put her head down under the table! And 
 instead of that, she must keep her place, and she did, with 
 the most ladylike quietness. Mr. Falkirk had reason to be 
 content with her for once. 
 
 'Nobody waiting, is there, Dingee? ' said Mr. Falkirk. 
 
 1 Ye'sir.' 
 
 ' Take him this, and send him off politely ; but no message, 
 Dingee, if you want to wag your tongue in this house ! ' 
 
 'Ye'sir. Got to be one somehow, sure!' said Dingee. 
 "Bout sumfin Mass' Morton done say to Miss Hazel. Real 
 stupid feller he is dat come, can't make out what he says, 
 nohow.' 
 
 ' About a drive,' said Wych Hazel, looking over once more 
 at her guardian. * I expect you to say no, sir.' 
 
 ' What did you say, my dear ? ' 
 
 4 1 said I would ask you, sir, the shortest way to a negative.' 
 Her lips were getting in a curl again. 
 
 Mr. Falkirk went out to speak to Mr. Morton's messenger, 
 and coming back again, stood looking down at the basket of 
 fruit with the wreath of white orchids lying across it.
 
 ON HORSEBACK. 131 
 
 ' I hope you are grateful to fortune, my dear,' he remarked 
 rather grimly. 
 
 ' I hope you are, sir. I have nothing to do with that con- 
 cern,' said Wych Hazel with prompt decision. 
 
 'You don't know,' said Mr. Falkirk. 'It's an enchanted 
 basket, Miss Hazel. Looks innocent enough ; but I know there 
 are several little shapes lurking in its depths, ants or flies or 
 what not, which a little conjuration from you would turn into 
 carriage horses, pony and all.' 
 
 ' They are safe to eat grapes in the shape of ants and flies 
 for the term of their natural lives,' said Rollo contentedly. 
 He did not care for Mr. Morton. Indeed, he looked as if it 
 would be difficult to disturb him more than superficially 
 about anything ; and that not for want of elements of dis- 
 turbance, but because of other elements of character which iu 
 their strength slumbered, and perhaps were scarcely self-con- 
 scious. The last words, moreover, were a shield over Wych 
 Hazel's possible shyness. However it were, Mr. Falkirk looked 
 across from the orchids to him, and considered him somewhat 
 fixedly. 
 
 ' If we are not to get them out of the basket, but that would 
 be very like a fairy tale, will you see to the matter of the 
 horses, Rollo?' 
 
 'If Miss Kennedy commands me,' he said, with a smile. 
 But Miss Kennedy was in a mood to keep her distance. 
 
 ' I have told Mr. Falkirk,' she said. And now came up the 
 question of her engagement at Moscheloo. If she was going, 
 she ought to be off, and it appeared that there was no vehicle 
 on the place in fit order to take her. Mr. Falkirk proposed to 
 send to Crocus. 
 
 ' Too far,' said Rollo. ' Suppose you put yourself in the 
 saddle, and let me convoy you over to Moscheloo ? It's good 
 for a ride this morning.' 
 
 ' I thought you wanted Vixen?' said the girl, turning towards 
 him. 
 
 4 You don't.' 
 
 ' Do you know what I do want, as well as what I do not, Mr. 
 Rollo?'
 
 132 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 ' The trouble is, it is not to be had to-day. But there is the 
 grey cob. Always take the best there is to be had. Put on 
 your habit, and I'll give you a very decent canter across the 
 country to Moscheloo. Come ! ' he said, with a look com- 
 pounded of sweetness and raillery. But raillery from Rollo's 
 eyes was a little keen. 
 
 She laughed with a pretty acknowledgment of the raillery, 
 but at first did not answer. It was a great temptation ! The 
 breakfast had left her excited and restless, and to get away 
 from it all to have a canter in the fresh wind! Then she 
 hated the very name of the grey cob ! She looked over to Mr. 
 Falkirk. He was looking at her earnestly, but he did not 
 speak. 
 
 ' Shall I do that, sir?' 
 
 ' If you go, you cannot do better,' he said, in a tone which 
 certainly signified a want of satisfaction at something, but that 
 was not unprecedented in their discussions. 
 
 ' But my habit ? Oh, well, I can manage that ! Then will 
 you be ready very soon, Mr. Rollo ?' 
 
 Dane was ready, there was no doubt of that ; but Mr. 
 Falkirk was on the verandah also, when the little mistress of 
 Chickaree came forth to be mounted ; and for the occasion the 
 red squirrel went back to the old grave punctilio of manner 
 he could assume when he pleased. 
 
 That was all the surrounding pairs of eyes could see, a 
 grave deference, a skilful care in performance of his duties as 
 Wych Hazel's squire. But to her, out of ken of all but herself, 
 there was an expression of somewhat else, in every touch and 
 movement and look, an indescribable something, which even to 
 her inexperience said : ' Every bit of your little person, and 
 everything that concerns it, is precious to me.' Not one man 
 in many could have so shown it to her, and hidden it from the 
 bystanders. It was a bit of cool generalship. Then he threw 
 himself on his own horse, like the red squirrel he was, and they 
 moved off slowly together. 
 
 Well, she was not a vain girl, having quite too much of a 
 tide in her fancies, notions, and purposes to be stopping to 
 think of herself all the while. So, though Rollo's manner
 
 ON HORSEBACK. 133 
 
 did make her shy, it stirred up no self -consciousness. For 
 understanding may sleep while instincts are awake. It was 
 very pleasant to be liked ; and if she wondered a little why he 
 should like her, for Miss Kennedy was certainly not blind to 
 some of her own wayward imperfections, still, perhaps the 
 wonder made it all the pleasanter. She was not in the least 
 inclined to take people's attentions in any but the simplest way 
 (if only they were not flung at her by the basketful) ; and in 
 short, had no loose tinder, as yet, lying round to catch fire. 
 Perhaps that says the whole. So she was about as grave and 
 as gay, as timid and as bold, by turns, as if she had been seven 
 years old. 
 
 ' I promised you a canter,' said her companion, taking hold 
 of her bridle to draw the grey aside from a bad place in the 
 road. ' Next time you shall have a gallop so soon as I can 
 find what will do for you. Never mind for to-day.' 
 
 ' You think this most respectable horse could so far forget 
 nimself as to canter?' 
 
 'Try.' 
 
 And away they went, with that elastic, flying spring through 
 the air which bids spirits bound as well, and leaves care no- 
 where. For the old grey had paces, if his youthful jollity was 
 somewhat abated ; and Vixen went provokingly, minding her 
 business like one who thought she had better. Nevertheless it 
 was a good canter. 
 
 ' You will be a good rider,' said Eollo, when at length they 
 subsided to a trot, stretching out his hand again and drawing 
 Wych Hazel's reins a little further through her fingers. ' There, 
 that is quite enough for him, steady as he is. Do you keep so 
 free a rein in the household as you do in the saddle ?' 
 
 ' There has been no household and no bridle, except for 
 me.' 
 
 ' Is Mr. Falkirk partial to a short rein ?' 
 
 ' What is " short ?" ' she said, with a laugh. ' That is an 
 ti tterly unsettled point. Are women never appointed gu ardians, 
 Mr. Rollo?' 
 
 ' Certainly,' said Rollo gravely, ' always, when they 
 marry.'
 
 134 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 She glanced at liiin, doubting whether he might be laughing 
 at her. 
 
 ' But I mean as Mr. Falkirk was.' 
 
 ' Not often ; but it occasionally happens. I congratulate yoa 
 that your case was not such.' 
 
 ' Ah, you do not know !' she said quickly, with a sort of 
 outbreak of impatience. 
 
 ' You don't know either,' said he. 
 
 ' Yes, I do. Not much about women, to be sure I have 
 known very few. But I do know Mr. Falkirk, and love him 
 dearly, and think a great deal more of him than you possibly 
 can, Mr. Rollo.' 
 
 ' I have thought a great deal about him,' said Rollo in a sort 
 of dry, innocent manner. 'But I will tell you a man's 
 guardianship leaves you a moral agent ; a woman's changes you 
 into a hunted badger ; and if you were of some sorts of nature, 
 it would be a hunted fox. You know I have been under 
 guardianship too ?' 
 
 ' Yes, but I thought it was Dr. Maryland's,' she said, look- 
 ing at him with astonished eyes. 'And you speak Ah, 
 you do not know, as. I said, after all ! You never wanted 
 anything that a man could not give you.' 
 
 He laughed a little, his eye brightening and changing as he 
 looked at her with a very winning expression. 
 
 ' I had all that a man could give me. Dr. Maryland was 
 father and mother in one, gentle and strong. But I have 
 been in wardship under a woman too, partially, and it was as I 
 tell you. Dr. Maryland would say, "Dane, don't go there," 
 or " Let that alone," and I did, except when a very wicked fit 
 got hold of me. But she would stick a cushion with pins to 
 keep me out of it ; and if she wanted to keep a cup from my 
 lips, she rubbed gall where my lips would find it.' 
 
 ' Two guardians !' said Wych Hazel ; ' so that queer woman 
 at Catskill thought I had. But it is a great deal harder to have 
 a man find fault with you, nevertheless.' 
 
 4 Why ?' said Rollo laughingly and seriously too. 
 
 * They are so quick in their judgments,' said the girl, ' so 
 sure about the evidence. The jury agree without retiring, and
 
 ON HOESEBACK. 135 
 
 sentence is passed before you are summoned to attend your own 
 trial. STou are out at play ; you suddenly find yourself con- 
 victed of manslaughter in the fourth degree or the fiftieth, it 
 makes no difference.' The words came out with her usual 
 quick emphasis, and then Miss Hazel remembered that one or 
 two of her words were suggestive. She flushed very much, 
 drooping her head. 
 
 ' Coroner's inquest ?' said Eollo, with a mixture of gentle- 
 ness and fun. But she made no answer, unless by the soft 
 laugh which hardly let itself be heard. He stretched out his 
 hand again, laying it this time lightly upon hers, altering ita 
 bearing. 
 
 ' Curb him in a little more,' said he, ' a little so. Now 
 touch him gently on the shoulder. What is it you think you 
 miss so much in a man's guardianship ?' 
 
 She looked round at him then, one of her girlish, searching 
 looks, resolving, perhaps, how far it was safe to be confidential. 
 
 ' A good many things, Mr. Eollo,' she answered slowly. ' I 
 do not believe you could understand. But I would rather have 
 fourteen lectures from Mrs. Bywank than just to hear one of 
 Mr. Falkirk's stiff " Miss Hazels."' 
 
 ' I cannot remember any lectures from Mrs. Bywank,' said 
 Rollo, looking as if his recollections in that quarter were 
 pleasant, 'which were not as soft as swansdown. But here 
 we are coming to Moscheloo. How much do you know about 
 fishing ?' 
 
 'Rather less than I do about anything else. Oh, I re- 
 member Mrs. Bywank said she used to know you.' 
 
 ' Mrs. Bywank is an old friend. In the times when I had, 
 practically, two guardians, though only Dr. Maryland held the 
 position officially, when there was nobody at Chickaree, I used 
 to go nutting in your woods, and fishing in the same brook 
 which will, I hope, give me some trout to-day ; and when I 
 was thoroughly wetted with a souse in the water, or had torn 
 my clothes half off my back in climbing to the tops of the trees, 
 I used to carry my fish and my difficulties to Mrs. Bywank. 
 She cooked the one, and she mended the other ; we ate the fish 
 in company, and parted with the promise to meet again. Seema
 
 136 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 to me I ought to have had lectures, but I didn't get them from 
 her.' 
 
 4 Well, that is just it,' said Hazel, with her earnest face. 
 ' She understood.' 
 
 ' Understood what ? ' said Rollo, smiling. 
 
 ' Things,' said Hazel, ' and you.' 
 
 ' There's a great deal in that. Now, do you want auother 
 canter ? ' 
 
 There was a mile of smooth way between them and the 
 grounds of Moscheloo, a level road bordered with Lollard 
 poplars. The grey went well, spite of his age and steadiness, 
 and Vixen behaved her prettiest ; but she was not much of a 
 steed after all, and just now was shewing the transforming 
 power of a good rider. And the rider was good company. 
 They came to the open gate of Moscheloo, and began to ascend 
 more slowly the terraced road of the grand entrance. The 
 house stood high. To reach it, the avenue made turn after turn, 
 zig-zagging up the hill between and under fine old trees that 
 overshadowed its course. 
 
 ' Here we are,' said Rollo, looking up towards the yet dis- 
 tant house. ' How many people do you suppose there will be 
 here that know anything about fish ? ' 
 
 ' Why, it is a fishing party !' said Wych Hazel. ' I suppose 
 I am the only one who does not know.' 
 
 ' I will tell you beforehand what to expeco. There wili 
 be a great deal of walking, a good deal of luncheon, a vast 
 deal of talk, and a number of fishing-rods. I shouldn't 
 be surprised if you caught the first fish. The rest will be 
 dinner.' 
 
 'And you will reverse that,' said Wych Hazel, ' little 
 dinner and much fish.' 
 
 ' Depends,' said Rollo. ' I am going to look after Mr. 
 Falkirk, if he is in my neighbourhood.' 
 
 ' Look after him ! Let him learn how it feels ? ' she said, 
 with a laugh. 
 
 1 Not just in that sense,' said Rollo, smiling. ' Only keep 
 him from getting lost in the woods.' 
 
 ' He has nothing to do in the woods till I come,' said Wych
 
 ON HORSEBACK. 137 
 
 Hazel. 'And I thought you said you were off for a day's 
 fishing ? ' 
 
 1 I'll combine two pleasures if I can.' 
 
 ' What is the other ? ' she said, looking at him. 
 
 ' Woodcraft.' 
 
 A tinge came up in her cheeks that might have been only 
 surprise. She looked away, and as it were tossed off the first 
 words that came. Then, with very sedate deliberation 
 
 ' Mr. Rollo, I do not allow anybody to practise woodcraft 
 among my trees without my special oversight not even Mr. 
 Falkirk.' 
 
 ' Suppose Mr. Falkirk takes a different view,' said Rollo, 
 also sedately, 'am I answerable? Because, if that is your 
 meaning, I will tell him he undergoes my challenge.' 
 
 ' He is not to cut a tree nor a branch till I come home.' 
 
 4 Suppose we arrange, then, for a time when you will come 
 out and give a day to the business. Shall we say to-morrow?' 
 
 ' Oh yes, I agree to that.' 
 
 4 There shall not be a tree cut, then, till to-morrow. And 
 to-morrow you shall have a lesson. Now, here we are.'
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 A FISHING PAR1T. 
 
 SEVERAL people were on the steps before the door, watching 
 and waiting for them. The house shewed large and stately, 
 the flight of steps imposing. Hothouse plants stood around in 
 boxes ; the turf was well shaven ; the gravelled road in order ; 
 the overhanging trees magnificent. Moscheloo was a fine place. 
 As the riders approached the door, Mme. Lasalle came forward, 
 pouring forth welcomes and invitations to Rollo. But, after 
 dismounting "Wych Hazel, and so disappointing the gentlemen 
 who wanted to do it, Rollo excused himself, and set off down 
 the hill again, Mme. Lasalle turned to Wych Hazel, and led 
 her, with flying introductions by the way, to the stairs and up 
 to a dressing-room. 
 
 ' It is quite charming to see you, and to think that Chickaree 
 is inhabited, and has a mistress : it makes Moscheloo, I assure 
 you, several degrees brighter. Now, my dear, what will you 
 have? is it nothing but to take off this habit-skirt? let 
 me undo it. What an odd mortal that is that came with 
 you I' 
 
 But to that Wych Hazel answered nothing. The light riding 
 skirt and jacket taken off, left her in green from head to foot, 
 a daring colour for a brunette. But her own tint was so clear, 
 and the mossy shade of her dress was so well chosen, that the 
 effect was extremely good. She looked like a wood nymph. 
 
 4 Charming! wrote Franqaise f said Madame softly. ' That 
 is a coquettish colour, my dear. Are you of that character ? ' 
 
 ' I am not sure that I know my own character yet,' Hazel 
 said, laughing a little. 
 
 ' Ah, that's dangerous ! You don't know your own cha- 
 
 188
 
 A FISHING PARTY. 139 
 
 racter ' then do you read other people's ? Eollo, do you know 
 him well ? ' 
 
 Mme. Lasalle was somewhat officiously but with great 
 attention stroking into order one or two of Wych Hazel's curls, 
 which the riding had tossed. 
 
 ' Oh, I daresay I shall make new discoveries, Mme. Lasalle !' 
 
 ' He's the best creature in the world, everybody likes him ; 
 but dear ! well, I suppose all young men are so they all 
 like power. Did you notice that Miss Powder down-stairs 
 that I introduced to you?' 
 
 ' Hardly.' 
 
 ' You had not time. She's a sweet creature. Oh no, you 
 hadn't time ; but I want you to see her to-day. I have a little 
 plan in my head.' And Mme. Lasalle left the curls, and 
 whispered with a serious face ' She's the young kdy Eollo 
 paid so much devotion to before he went abroad. Everybody 
 knew that ; and I know he liked her. But then you see be 
 went off, and nothing came of it. But it's a pity, for Mrs. 
 Powder would have been very much pleased, I know, with her 
 large family of daughters to be sure, she has married two of 
 them now. But what is worse ' (in a lower whisper), ' Anna- 
 bella would have been pleased too ; and she hasn't been pleased 
 since. Now, isn't it a shame ? ' 
 
 Wych Hazel considered the matter, with a curious feeling 
 of disbelief in her mind, which (without in the least knowing 
 where it came from) found its way to her face. 
 
 ' I wonder she would tell of it !' 
 
 'My dear, she didn't, only one sees. One cau't help it. 
 One sees a great many disagreeable things, but it's no use to 
 think about it. It was nothing very bad in Rollo, you know. 
 He has that way with him, of seeming to like people ; but it 
 don't mean anything, except that he does like them. Oh, I 
 know he liked her, and I am going to make you accom- 
 plice in a little plot of mine. I won't tell you now by and 
 by when you have seen Annabella a little more. I would 
 have asked Dane to join our party to-day, but I didn't dare ; 
 I was afraid he would guess what I was at. Now, my dear, I 
 won't keep you up here any longer. Pardon me, you are
 
 140 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 cb arming! If Dane sees much of you, I am afraid iny fine 
 scheming will do Annabella no good ! ' And, shaking her head 
 gaily, the lady ran down-stairs, followed by "Wych Hazel. 
 
 There was a great muster then of fishing-rods and baskets ; 
 and everybody being provided, the company was marshalled 
 forth, each lady being under the care of a gentleman, who 
 carried her basket and rod. TVych Hazel found herself, with- 
 out knowing how or why, leading the march with Mr. Lasalle. 
 He proved rather a sober companion. A sensible man, but 
 thoroughly devoted to business, his French extraction seemed 
 to have brought him no inheritance of grace or liveliness, 
 unless Mme. Lasalle had acted as an absorbent, and usurped it 
 all. He was polite, and gave good host-like attention to his 
 fair little companion ; but it was as well for her that the walk 
 presently sufficed of itself for her entertainment. They went 
 first across several fields, where the sun beat down freely on 
 all their heads, and divers fences gave play to the active and 
 useful qualities of the gentlemen. Suddenly from the last 
 field they went down a grassy descent, and found themselves 
 at the side of a brook. 
 
 Well, it was a good-sized brook, overhung with a fine border- 
 ing of trees, that shaded and sheltered it. The ladies cried 
 ' Lovely!' and so it was, after the sunshiny fields on a warm 
 June morning. But this was not the fishing ground. The 
 brook must be followed up to the woods whence it came. And 
 soon the banks became higher and broken, the ascent steeper, 
 the trees closer, no longer a mere fringe or veil to the fostering 
 waters. Fields were forgotten ; the brook grew wild and lively, 
 and following its course became a matter of some difficulty. 
 Sometimes there was no edge of footing beside the stream; 
 they must take to the stones and rocks which broke its way, or 
 cross it by fallen trees, and re-cross again. The woods made a 
 thicket of wildness and stillness, and green beauty and shady 
 sweetness, invaded just now by an inroad of fashion and 
 Society. 
 
 Like a sprite, Wych Hazel led the ran, making her way over 
 rocks and through vine tangles and across the water, after a 
 fashion attainable by no other feet. Mr. Lasalle had no trouble
 
 A FISHING PARTY. 141 
 
 but to follow, had not even the task of hearing exclamations 
 or being entertained ; for "Wych Hazel had by no means acquired 
 that amiable habit of society which is full dress upon all occa- 
 sions. To-day she was like a child out of school in her gleeful 
 enjoyment, only very quiet. So she flitted on through the 
 mazes of the wood and the brook, making deep remarks to her- 
 self over its dark pools, perching herself on a rock for a back- 
 ward look at Miss Powder, and then darting on. The party in 
 the rear, struggling after, eyed her in the distance with various 
 feelings. 
 
 ' The flower she trod on dipped and rose, 
 And turned to look at her!' 
 
 So quoted Metastasio Simrns, who played the part of cavalier 
 to Mme. Lasalle, and of poet and troubadour in general. 
 
 ' There steals over me, Madame,' said another cavalier, * the 
 fairy tale remembrance of a marvellous bird with green plum- 
 age, which, flitting along before the traveller, did thereby allure 
 him to his captivity. Are you pledged for Miss Kennedy's 
 good faith?' 
 
 ' I am pledged for nothing. I advise you to take care of 
 yourself, Mr. May. I have no doubt she is dangerous. Haven't 
 we come far enough ? Do run down the line and tell them all 
 to stop where they are, we must not be too close upon one 
 another, and when you come back I will reward you with 
 another commission.' 
 
 While Mr. Simms was gone down the brook, however, Mme. 
 Lasalle permitted the pair next below to pass her and go up to 
 stop Mr. Lasalle and Wych Hazel from proceeding any further. 
 So it came to pass that the highest group on the stream was 
 composed of four instead of two, and the additional two were 
 Stuart Nightingale and Miss Annabella Powder. Now the 
 fishing rods were put into the ladies' hands ; now their cava- 
 liers attentively supplied their hooks with what was supposed 
 to be bait ; and, performing afterwards the same office for their 
 own, the brook presently had the appearance, or would to a 
 bird's-eye view, of a brook in toils. 
 
 ' What do you expect to catch, sir?' asked Miss Kennedy of
 
 142 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 Mr. Lasalle, as she watched his motions, and dropped her own 
 line in imitation. 
 
 ' If I were a member of the firm, I should say, "All hearts," 
 Mademoiselle, without doubt.' 
 
 ' For shame, Mr. Lasalle !' cried Miss Powder. 
 
 1 Fish are made to be caught, Mademoiselle,' said Mr. Lasalle, 
 throwing his own line again. 
 
 ' For shame, Mr. Lasalle ! How many hearts do you think one 
 lady wishes to catch?' 
 
 ' No limit that I know,' said the gentleman serenely. 
 
 '"Well, but are there no other fish in this brook?' said 
 Wych Hazel. 
 
 ' Miss Kennedy makes small account of the first kind,' said 
 Stuart, laughing. ' That sport is old already. There must be 
 difficulty to give interest, Lasalle, you know.' 
 
 ' You gentlemen are complimentary,' said Miss Powder. 
 
 ' Upon my word, I said what I thought,' replied the first 
 gentleman. 
 
 ' Miss Kennedy,' called Stuart out from his post down the 
 brook, 'should compliments be true or false to be compli- 
 ments ? Miss Powder is too indignant to be judge in the 
 case.' 
 
 ' I do not see how false ones can compliment,' said the lady 
 in green, much intent upon her line. ' There ! Mr. Lasalle, is 
 that what you call a bite ? ' 
 
 It was no bite. 
 
 ' But people need not know they are false,' pursued Stuart. 
 
 ' Well,' said "Wych Hazel, looking down at him, ' you were 
 talking of what things are, not what they seem.' 
 
 ' You may observe,' said Mr. Lasalle, ' that most people find 
 it amusing to get bites, if only they don't know there's no fish 
 at the end of them.' Mr. Lasalle spoke feelingly, for he had 
 just hooked and drawn up what proved to be a bunch of 
 weeds. 
 
 ' But where there is,' said TVych Hazel. ' There ! Mr. 
 Lasalle, I have got your fish!' and up swung a glittering 
 trophy high over the gentleman's head. 
 
 "The first fish caught, I'll wager I' cried Stuart; and he
 
 A FISHING PARTY. 143 
 
 looked at his watch. ' Twenty-seven minutes past twelve. 
 Was that skill or fortune, Miss Kennedy?' 
 
 ' Neither, sir,' observed Mr. Simms, who had wandered that 
 way in search of a hook. ' There was no hope of Miss 
 Kennedy's descending to the bed of the brook what could the 
 fish do but come to her? Happy trout !' 
 
 ' I am afraid he feels very much like a fish out of water, 
 nevertheless,' said Wych Hazel, eyeing her prize and her line 
 with a demure face. 
 
 Alas ! it was the beginning and ending of their good for- 
 tune for some time. Mr. Simms went back to his place ; Mr. 
 Lasalle disengaged the fish and rearranged the bait ; and all 
 four fell to work, or to watching, with renewed animation, but 
 in vain. The rods kept their angle of suspension, unless when 
 a tired arm moved up or down ; the fisher's eyes gazed at the 
 lines ; the water went running by with a dance and a laugh ; 
 the fish laughed too, perhaps the anglers did not. There 
 were spicy wood smells, soft wood flutter and flap of leaves, 
 stealing and playing sunbeams among the leaves and the tree 
 stems ; but there was too much Society around the brook, and 
 nobody heeded all these things. 
 
 ' "Well, what success?' said Mme. Lasalle, coming up after a 
 while. ' What have you caught? One little fish ! Poor little 
 thing ! Is that all ? Well, it's luncheon time. Lasalle, I wish 
 you'd go and see that everybody is happy at the lower end of 
 the line, and I'll do your fishing meanwhile. Oh, Simms has 
 almost killed me! Stuart, do take charge of that basket, 
 will you?' 
 
 Mr. Nightingale, receiving the basket from the hands of a 
 servant, inquired of his aunt what he was to do with it. 
 
 ' Mercy ! open it and give us all something. I am as hungry 
 as I can be. What have you all been doing that you haven't 
 caught more fish ? My dear ' (to Wych Hazel), ' that is all you 
 will get till we go home ; we came out to work to-day.' 
 
 And Stuart coming up, relieved her of her fishing rod, found 
 a pleasant seat on a mossy stone, and opened his basket. 
 
 ' As the fish won't bite, Miss Kennedy, will you ? ' 
 
 ' If you please,' she said, taking a new view from her new
 
 144 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 position. ' How beautiful everything is to-day ! Certainly I 
 have learned something about brooks.' 
 
 ' And something about fishing?* 
 
 ' Not much.' 
 
 ' The best thing about fishing,' said Stuart, after serving the 
 other ladies and coming back to her, ' is that it gives one an 
 appetite.' 
 
 ' Oh, then you have not studied the brook ?' 
 
 ' Certainly not,' said he, laughing, * or only as one studies a 
 dictionary, to see what one can get out of it. Please tell me, 
 what did you ? ' 
 
 'New thoughts,' she said, ' and new fancies ; and shadows, 
 and colours. I forgot all about the fish sometimes.' 
 
 ' You are a philosopher?' said Stuart inquisitively. 
 
 ' Probably. Don't I look like one ? ' 
 
 He laughed again, with an unequivocal compliment in his 
 bright eyes. He was a handsome fellow, and a gentleman from 
 head to foot, so far at least as manners can make it. 
 
 'I do not judge from appearances. Do you care to know 
 what I judge from?' 
 
 ' Your judgment cannot have been worth much just now,' 
 said "Wych Hazel, shaking her head. ' But I am willing to hear 
 what led it astray.' 
 
 'What led it not astray was your calm declining of all 
 but true words of service.' 
 
 ' 0, had you gone back there ?' she said. ' I think it takes 
 very little philosophy to decline what one does not want.' 
 
 ' Evidently. But how come you not to want what every- 
 body else wants ? There is the philosophy, you see. If you 
 bring all things down to bare truth, you will be Diogenes in 
 his tub presently.' 
 
 ' " Bare truth !" ' said the girl. ' How people say that, as 
 if Truth were only a lay figure 1 ' 
 
 ' But think how disagreeable truth would often be if it were 
 not draped ! Could you stand it ? I beg pardon. I mean 
 not you, but other people.' 
 
 ' I have stood it pretty often,' said the girl with a grave 
 gesture of her head.
 
 A FISHING PARTY. 145 
 
 ' Impossible ! But did you believe that it was truth ? ' 
 
 ' Too self-evident to be doubted ! ' 
 
 Stuart laughed, again -with a very unfeigned tribute of 
 pleasure or admiration in his face. ' It is a disagreeable truth,' 
 said he, * that that is not a good sandwich. Permit me to 
 supply its place with something else. Here is cake, and 
 nothing beside that I can see : will you have a piece of oake ? 
 It is said to be a feminine taste.' 
 
 'No, not any cake,' said Hazel, her eyes searching the brook 
 shadows. ' Bat I will have another sandwich, Mr. Nightingale, 
 if there is one. At least, if there is more than one ! ' 
 
 'Ah,' said Stuart, 'you shall have it, and you shall not 
 know the state of the basket. Those two people have so much 
 to talk about, they have no time to eat.' And he took another 
 sandwich himself. 
 
 ' Is that old woman in the cottage a friend of yours ? ' 
 
 ' I never saw her before the other day.' 
 
 ' She lost no time ! A little garrulous, isn't she ? I made 
 acquaintance there one day when I went in to light a cigar. I 
 have a mind to ask you to give me the distinction I am ready 
 to claim, of being your oldest acquaintance in these parts. I 
 think I shall claim it yet. Let me look at the state of your hook.' 
 
 They dropped their lines in the brook again, bnt no fish were 
 caught ; and fish might cleverly have run away with their bait 
 several times, without being found out. The conversation was 
 lively for some time. Stuart had sense, and was amusing, and 
 had roamed about the world enough to have a great deal to say. 
 The pair were not agreeably interrupted after half an hour by 
 Mme. Lasalle, who discovered that Wych Hazel was fishing 
 where she could get nothing, and brought her down the brook 
 to the close neighbourhood of Miss Powder, where Stuart's 
 attentions had to be divided. But so the two girls had a 
 chance to see something of each other, a chance which Miss 
 Powder improved with manifest satisfaction. She was a wax- 
 Madonna sort of beauty, with a sweet face, fair, pure, placid, 
 but either somewhat impassive or quite self-contained in ita 
 character. Her figure was good ; her few words showed her 
 not wanting in sense or breeding.
 
 146 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 Wych Hazel was by this time far enough out of the reserve 
 of first meetings to let the exhilarating June air and sunshine 
 do their work ; and her voice, never raised beyond a pretty 
 note, was ready with laugh and word and repartee. Now 
 studying her hook, now questioning Miss Powder, now answer- 
 ing Mr. Nightingale, and then seriously devoted to her fishing, 
 she showed the absolute sport of her young, joyous nature, a 
 thing charming in itself, even without so piquant a setting. It 
 was no great wonder that a gentleman now and then took ground 
 on the opposite side of the brook, and directed his eyes as if 
 the fish would only come from that point of the shore where 
 Miss Kennedy sat. This happened more and more, as by 
 degrees the line of fishers was broken and the unskilled or 
 unsuccessful, tired of watching the water, gave it up, and 
 strolled up the brook to see who had better luck. And so few 
 fish were the result of the day's sport, so many of the company 
 had nothing better to do than to look at what somebody else 
 was doing, that by degrees nearly the whole party were 
 gathered around that spot where Wych Hazel had caught the 
 first fish. They were relieved, perhaps, that the effort was 
 over ; perhaps the prospect of going home to dinner was 
 encouraging ; certainly the spirits of all the party were greatly 
 enlivened by something. Mme. Lasalle's ears heard the pleasant 
 sound of voices in full chorus of speech and laughter all the 
 way home. 
 
 It was rather late before Madame's carriage could be ordered 
 to take Miss Kennedy home. Mme. Lasalle herself attended 
 her, and would suffer the attendance of no one else. A young 
 ' moon was shedding a delicious light on the Lollard poplars 
 past which Wych Hazel had cantered in the morning. It was 
 an hour to be still, and enjoy, and think ; but did Mme. Lasalle 
 ever think ? She ceased not to talk. And Wych Hazel, after 
 her day of caressing and petting and admiration, how was she ? 
 She had caught the first fish ; she had been queen of the feast ; 
 she had given the first toast ; she had received the first honours 
 of every eye and ear in the company. Her host and hostess 
 had lavished all kindness on her; ladies had smiled; and 
 gentlemen yes, six gentlemen had come down the steps to put
 
 A FISHING PARTY. 147 
 
 her into the carriage. But if she wanted to think, Mme. Lasalle 
 gave her no chance. 
 
 ' Where shall you go to church on Sunday, my dear ? ' she 
 asked on the way. 
 
 ' Dr. Maryland's, of cotirse, ma'am.' 
 
 ' Oh, that's where we all go, of course ! Delightful creature 
 that he is ! And yet he rebukes every single individual thing 
 that one does. Dear Dr. Maryland, he's so good, he don't see 
 what is going on in his own family. Do you know, it makes 
 me unhappy when I think of it ! But, my dear, that's the very 
 thing I wanted to talk to you about. Miss Powder, you've 
 seen her, aren't you pleased with her ? ' 
 
 ' She was very pleasant to me.' 
 
 ' She is that to everybody ; and her mother is a very fine 
 woman. Now, my. dear, you will be, at your pleasure, seeing 
 your friends at Chickaree ; couldn't you contrive to bring Dane 
 and Annabella together again? ' 
 
 'I!' said Wych Hazel, surprised. 'Why, I do not know 
 how to contrive things for myself.' 
 
 1 Oh, I do not mean anything complicated ! that never does 
 well ; but you could quite naturally, you know, give them 
 opportunities of seeing each other pleasantly. I think if he 
 saw her he might come round again and take up his old fancy ; 
 and you being a stranger, you know, might do it without the 
 least difficulty or gaucherie. They would meet quite on neutral 
 ground, for nobody would suspect that you were aufait of our 
 country complications. I dare not stir, you see. That was the 
 reason I could not invite Dane to our fishing to-day. I knew 
 it wouldn't do. This was my plot for you, that I told you 
 about. What do you think? It would be doing a kind thing, 
 and hurting nobody, at any rate.' 
 
 It did come to Miss Kennedy's mind that Mr. Hollo was 
 quite capable of 'contriving' his own situations; but she 
 answered only, ' Would it, ma'am ? ' 
 
 ' It couldn't do any harm, you know ; and you are the very 
 person to do it. And then, if our plan should succeed, it 
 would have another good effect, to put Primrose Maryland in 
 safety.'
 
 148 TVYCH HAZEL. 
 
 If it had been daylight instead of moonlight, Mme. Lasalle 
 might have seen the young face at her side knit itself into a 
 very perplexed state indeed at these words; and the more 
 Hazel thought the deeper she got. 
 
 'It would be quite natural, you know,' Mme. Lasalle went 
 on, after a pause, ' that a girl like her should be fascinated ; and 
 Kollo, without meaning to do any harm, would give her cause 
 enough. He is fascinating, you know, but he is too cool by 
 half. Dr. Maryland, of course, never would see or understand 
 what was going on; and Primrose is so sweet and inex- 
 perienced. I know her sister was very uneasy about it before 
 Rollo went away so long ago. I fancy his going was partly 
 thanks to her care.' 
 
 Closer and closer came the dark brows together, until by 
 degrees her extremely fancy-free thoughts took a turn. What 
 a fuss! What was Mme. Lasalle talking about? 'Fasci- 
 nating,' forsooth ! she should like to see anybody that could 
 fascinate her ! And so the whole thing grew ludicrous, and she 
 laughed her soft, ringing, girlish laugh. 
 
 ' What a pirate he must be, Mme. Lasalle ! A true Dane ! 
 Do many of that sort live on shore ? ' 
 
 ' Take care ! ' said the lady in a different tone ; ' dangers that 
 are slighted are the first to be run into.' 
 
 The carriage stopped at that moment, so Wych Hazel had 
 no need to reply. She watched Mme. Lasalle drive off, took a 
 comprehensive view of the moon for a minute, and then, 
 pirouetting round on the tips of her toes, she flashed into the 
 sitting room, and favoured Mr. Falkirk with a curtsey pro- 
 found enough for her grandmother.
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 A LECTURE. 
 
 MR. FALKJRK was sitting with the paper in the tea room at 
 Chickaree. A good lamplight gave him every temptation to 
 lose himself in its manifold pages, but somehow the temptation 
 failed. Mr. Falkirk had been walking the floor for part of the 
 evening ; going then to one of the long windows, and throw- 
 ing it open, there were no mosquitos at Chickaree, to look 
 out at the moonlight, or perhaps to listen for the sound of 
 wheels. But the summer stillness was only marked by the song 
 of insects and the light stir of leaves, and Mr. Falkirk went 
 back to his musings. His hand caressed his chin sometimes, 
 in slow and moody deliberation. No doubt the change was 
 a serious one, from the quiet, unquestioned care of a school 
 girl, to the guardianship of a bright, full- winged butterfly of 
 humanity. That does not half express it For to the airy 
 uncertainty of butterfly motions, his ward certainly added the 
 intense activities of a humming-bird, and the jealous temper, 
 without the useful proclivities, of a honey bee. I think Mr. 
 Falkirk likened her to all these in his meditations; and his 
 brows knit themselves into a persistent frown as he walked. 
 For all that, when the wheels of Mme. Lasalle's carriage grated 
 on the gravel sweep, Mr. Falkirk sat down to the table and the 
 newspaper, and as "Wych Hazel opened the door and walked 
 in, Mr. Falkirk looked up sedately. Then his face unbent a 
 very little, but he waited for her to speak. 
 
 ' Good evening, my dear Mr. Falkirk ! ' 
 
 Mr. Falkirk was not morose, but he made little answer 
 beyond a smile. 
 
 ' I perceive you have been pining for my return, sir,' said 
 
 148
 
 150 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 Miss Hazel, advancing airily. ' But why you do not revive 
 when I come, that puzzles my small wits. Are you overjoyed 
 to see me safe home, Mr. Falkirk ? ' 
 
 1 1 wait to be certified of the fact, Mrs Hazel.' 
 
 She came to a low seat before him, silently crossing her arms 
 on her lap. 
 
 ' What are the developments of fortune to-day, Miss Hazel? ' 
 said her guardian, with a relaxing face. 
 
 ' A number of gentlemen, sir, and one fish. Which I caught. 
 There were some ladies too, but they came less in my way.' 
 
 4 Um 1 So I understand you catch all that comes in your 
 way?' 
 
 ' Only the fish, sir. But you should have heard the people 
 thereupon 1 One cried, " Happy fish ! " and another, " Happy 
 Miss Kennedy!" And yet I suppose we had both of us 
 known more ecstatic moments.' 
 
 ' And what ia your impression of fishing parties, judging 
 from this specimen?' 
 
 4 Oh, I was amused, of course ! But the brook was delicious. 
 You know it was all new to me, Mr. Falkirk.' 
 
 ' Like the fairy tale you wanted ? ' said her guardian, smiling. 
 
 She smiled too, but her answer was only a sweet, ' Are you 
 glad to see me home, sir ? ' 
 
 4 1 am glad if you are glad, Miss Hazel. I did not suspect 
 that any genie or enchanter had got hold of you yet.' 
 
 ' Only "if," ' she said to herself. ' I wonder how it feels to 
 have anybody care for one very much ! ' But no word of that 
 came out. 
 
 4 Are you glad to get home, Miss Hazel ? ' 
 
 ' Yes, sir. The drive was rather stupid.' 
 
 4 Did you come alone ? ' 
 
 4 1 had Madame in person, and with her all the unquiet 
 ghosts of the neighbourhood, I should judge,' added Miss 
 Hazel thoughtfully, slipping her bracelets up and down. 
 
 1 Scandal, eh? ' said Mr. Falkirk. 4 And yet the drive was 
 stupid 1 ' 
 
 4 Incredible, sir, is it not ? But you see, I had been ever so 
 long face to face with the brook 1 '
 
 A LECTURE. 151 
 
 1 1 do not know that I am fond of scandal,' said Mr. Falkirk ; 
 ' and yet I should like to know what particular variety of that 
 favourite dish Madame chose to serve you with. And in the 
 meantime, to relieve the dryness of the subject, Miss Hazel, 
 will you give me a cup of tea? ' 
 
 She sprang up, and began to busy herself at once with her 
 home duties, but did not immediately answer his question. 
 Until she came round to his side, bringing the fragrant and 
 steaming cup of tea, and then apparently thoughts were too 
 much for her, and she broke forth 
 
 ' Why don't people marry each other if they want to, Mr. 
 Falkirk ? ' she said, standing still to put the question. ' And 
 if they don't want to, why do not other people let them alone ? ' 
 
 Mr. Falkirk shot one of his glances at the questioner from 
 under his dark brows, and sipped his tea. 
 
 'There might be a variety of answers given to your first 
 query, Miss Hazel. People that want to marry each other are 
 proverbially subject to hindrances, from the days of fairy tales 
 down to our own.' 
 
 ' They always do it in fairy tales, however.' 
 
 1 They very often do it in real life,' said Mr. Falkirk gravely. 
 
 ' Well, sir, then why cannot they be left to take care of 
 themselves, either way ? It is such fudge ! ' she said, walking 
 back to her place, and energetically dropping sugar in her own 
 cup. 
 
 ' Who is Mme. Lasalle trying to take care of ? ' 
 
 * Me last, sir, warning me that things laughed at become 
 dangerous. In which case I shall lead a tolerably risky life.' 
 
 ' Who is Mme. Lasalle warning you against ? ' demanded Mr. 
 Falkirk hastily. 
 
 ' My dear sir, how excited you are over poor Mme. Lasalle ! 
 I presumed to kugh at some of her fancy sketches, and then, 
 of course, she rapped me over the knuckles. Or meant it ! ' 
 said Miss Hazel, slightly lifting her eyebrows. 
 
 ' But I observe you do not answer me, my dear.' 
 
 ' No, sir. If you will allow me to use my own judgment, I 
 think I had better not. Let me have your cup, Mr. Falkirk, 
 please, and I'll put more sugar in this time.'
 
 152 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 Mr. Falkirk finished his tea and made no more observations. 
 He was silent and thoughtful moody, his ward might have 
 fancied him while the tea-things were cleared away, and 
 afterwards ; pored over the newspaper and did not read it. 
 At last, when silence had reigned some time, he lifted his head 
 up and turned round to where Wych Hazel sat. 
 
 ' I have been considering a difficulty, Miss Hazel : will you 
 help me out ? ' 
 
 'Gladly, sir, if I can.' She had been sitting in musing 
 idleness, going over the day, perhaps, for now and then her 
 lips curled and parted, with various expressions. 
 
 4 We have come, you are aware, Miss Hazel, in the course of 
 our progress, to the enchanted region, where things are not 
 what they seem ; jewels lie hid in the soil for the finding, and 
 treasures are at the top of the hill. But the conditions of 
 success may be the stopping of the ears, you know ; and lovely 
 ladies by the way may turn out to be deadly enchantresses. How, 
 in this time of dangers and possibilities, can my wisdom avail 
 for your inexperience ? that is my question. Can you tell me V 
 
 1 Truly, sir,' she answered, with a laugh, ' to get yourself out 
 of a difficulty, you get me in I My inexperience is totally in the 
 dark as to what your wisdom means.' 
 
 4 Precisely,' said Mr. Falkirk ; ' so how shall we do ? How 
 shall I take care of you ? ' 
 
 4 You have always known how, sir,' she answered, with a 
 grateful flash of her brown eyes. 
 
 4 When I had only a little Wych Hazel to take care of, and 
 the care depended on myself,' Mr. Falkirk said, with just an 
 indication of a sigh stifled somewhere. 'Now I can't get 
 along without your co-operation, my dear.' 
 
 4 Am I so much harder to manage than of old, sir ? That 
 speaks ill for me. 1 
 
 4 My dear, I believe I remarked that we are upon enchanted 
 ground. It does not speak ill for you, that you may not know 
 a bewitched pumpkin from a good honest piece of carriage- 
 maker's work.' 
 
 4 No, sir. Is it the pumpkin variety for which Mr. Hollo IK 
 to find mice?'
 
 A LECTUEE. 153 
 
 ' I have taken care of your affairs, at least,' said Mr. Falkirk 
 gravely. ' There is nothing about them that is not sound. I 
 wish other people did not know it so well ! ' he muttered. 
 
 ' It is only poor little me,' said Wych Hazel. ' Never mind, 
 sir. In fairy tales one always comes out somehow. But I am 
 sure I ought to be " sound " too, if care would do it.' 
 
 'Will you help me, Hazel?' said Mr. Falkirk, bending 
 towards her and speaking her name as in the old childish days. 
 
 ' Gladly, sir, if you will shew me how. And if it is not too 
 hard,' she said, with a pretty look, well answering her words. 
 
 ' I wish you had a mother !' said Mr. Falkirk abruptly. And 
 he turned back to the table, and for a little while that was all 
 the answer he made, while Wych Hazel sat waiting. But then 
 he began again 
 
 'As I remarked before, Miss Hazel, we are come upon 
 bewitched ground in our search after fortune. You spoke of 
 two classes of people a while ago, if you remember, people 
 that want to marry each other, and people that don't. 1 
 
 ' Yes, sir. Which are there most of ? ' 
 
 ' Being upon bewitched ground, it might happen to you as to 
 others mind, not this year, perhaps, nor next, but it might 
 happen that you should find yourself in one of these two, as 
 you intimate, large classes. Suppose it ; could you, having no 
 mother, put confidence in an old guardian ? ' 
 
 Very grave, very gentle Mr. Falkirk's manner and tone 
 were, considerate of her, and very humble concerning him- 
 self. 
 
 ' Why, sir ! ' She looked at him, the roses waking up in her 
 cheeks as she caught his meaning more fully. Then her eyes 
 fell again, and she said softly, 'How do you mean, Mr. 
 Falkirk? There is nobody in the world whom I trust as I do 
 you.' 
 
 ' I have never a doubt of that, my dear. But to make the 
 trust avail you or me practically, could you let me know the 
 state of affairs?' 
 
 She moved restlessly in her chair, drawing a long breath or 
 two. 
 
 'You say such strange things, sir. I do assure you, Mr.
 
 154 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 Falkirk, I am ensconced in the very middle of one of those 
 classes. And that not the dangerous one,' she added, with a 
 laugh, though the flushes came very frankly. ' If that is what 
 you are afraid of.' 
 
 ' You are in about as dangerous a class as any I know,' said 
 Mr. Falkirk dryly, ' the class of people that everybody wants 
 to marry. Miss Hazel, you are known to be the possessor of a 
 very large property.' 
 
 ' Am I, sir? And is that what makes me so attractive? I 
 thought there must be some explanation of so sweeping a 
 compliment from your lips.' 
 
 A provoked little smile came upon Mr. Falkirk's lips, but 
 they grew grave again. 
 
 ' So, Miss Hazel, how are you to know the false magician 
 from the true knight?' 
 
 ' He must be a poor knight who would leave the trouble 
 on my hands,' said the girl, with her young ideas strong upon 
 her. ' If he does not prove himself, Mr. Falkirk, I'll none of 
 hirnl' 
 
 1 How shall a man prove to you that he does not want 
 Chickaree and your money, my dear ? ' 
 
 'Instead of me! I think I should know,' she answered 
 slowly, so much absorbed in the question that she almost 
 forgot its personal bearing. 'Mr. Falkirk, false and true 
 cannot be just alike.' 
 
 ' Remember that in both cases so much is true. The desire 
 to win your favour, and therefore the effort to please, are 
 undoubted.' 
 
 'Mr. Falkirk, you must be the assayer. Suppose you tell 
 me now about all these people here, to begin with. I have 
 not seen much that reminded me of magic yet,' she said, with a 
 curl of her lips. 
 
 ' What people ?' said Mr. Falkirk hastily. 
 
 'What people! Oh, I forgot, you were not at Mme. 
 Lasalle's to-day. But I thought you knew everybody here 
 before we came.' 
 
 ' I shall not be with you everywhere,' Mr. Falkirk went on : 
 ' that would suit neither me nor you. The safe plan, Miss
 
 A LECTURE. 155 
 
 Hazel, would be, when you think anybody is seeking your 
 good graces, to ask me whether he has gained mine. I will 
 conclude nothing of your views in the matter from auy such 
 confidence. But I will ask you to trust me thus far, and 
 afterward.' 
 
 ' You mean, sir, whether he has gained mine or not?' 
 
 Mr. Falkirk answered this with one of his rare smiles, shrewd 
 and sweet, benignant, and yet with a play of something like 
 mirth in the dark, overhung eyes. It was a look which 
 recognised all the difficulty of the situation and the subject for 
 both parties. 
 
 ' I am afraid the thing is unmanageable, my dear,' he said at 
 last. ' You will rush up the hill without stopping your ears, 
 after some fancied " golden water " at the top, and I shall 
 come after and find you turned into some stone or other. . And 
 then you will object very much to being picked up and put in 
 my pocket. I see it all before me.' 
 
 She laughed a little, but shyly, not quite at ease upon the 
 subject even with him ; then rose up, gathering on her arm 
 the light wraps she had thrown down when she came in. 
 
 ' I must have been always a great deal of trouble,' she said. 
 ' But I do not want to give you any more. Mr. Falkirk, 
 won't you kiss me and say good night to me, as you used to do 
 in the old times ? That is better than any number of fastenings 
 to your pocket, to keep me from jumping out.' 
 
 Once it had been his habit, as she said ; now long disused. 
 He did not at once answer. He, too, was gathering up a paper 
 or two and a book from the table. But then he came where 
 she stood, and taking her hand, stooped and kissed her fore- 
 head. He did not then say good night ; he kissed her and 
 went. And the barring and bolting and locking up for the 
 night were done with a more hurried step than usual.
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 WOODCRAFT. 
 
 ' Miss WYCH, my dear, all in brown ! ' said Mrs. By wank 
 doubtfully, as her young charge was arraying herself one 
 morning for the woodcraft. Some rain and some matters of 
 business had delayed the occasion, and it was now a good week 
 since the fishing party. 
 
 ' Harmonious, isn't it ? ' said Hazel. 
 
 4 But, my dear, it looks so sombre ! ' said Mrs. By wank. 
 
 ' Sombre 1 ' said the girl, facing round upon her with such 
 tinges of cheek and sparkles of eye that Mrs. Bywank laughed 
 too, and gave in. 
 
 4 If it puts Mr. Falkirk to sleep, I can wake him up,' said 
 "Wych Hazel, busy with her loopings. 'And as for Mr. 
 Rollo' 
 
 1 Mr. Rollo ! is he to be of the party ? ' said the housekeeper. 
 
 'I suppose really he is the party,' said Wych Hazel. ' Mr. 
 Falkirk and I scarcely deserve so festive a name by ourselves.' 
 
 ' And what were you going to say of Mr. Rollo ? ' 
 
 ' Oh, nothing much. He may go to sleep if he chooses 
 and can,' added Miss Hazel, for the moment looking her name. 
 But the old housekeeper looked troubled. 
 
 ' My dear,' she began, ' I wouldn't play off any of my pranks 
 upon Mr. Rollo, if I were you.' 
 
 ' What is the matter with Mr. Rollo, that his life must be 
 insured ? ' said Wych, gravely confronting her old friend with 
 such a face that Mrs. Bywank was again betrayed into an un- 
 willing laugh. But she returned to the charge. 
 
 ' I wouldn't, Miss Wych. Gentlemen don't understand such 
 thuiys.'
 
 WOODCRAFT. 157 
 
 ' I do not think Mr. Kollo seems dull,' said the girl, with a 
 face of grave reflection. ' Now, Byo, what are you afraid I 
 shall do ? ' she went on, suddenly changing her tone, and 
 laying both hands on her old friend's shoulders. 
 
 ' Why, nothing, Miss Wych, dear ! I mean ' Mrs. By wank 
 hesitated. 
 
 ' You mean a great deal, I see,' said Wych Hazel. ' But do 
 not you see, Byo, I cannot hang out false colours ? There is 
 no sort of use in my pretending not to be wild, because I am. 1 
 
 Mrs. Bywank looked up in the young face, loving and 
 anxious. 
 
 'Miss Wych,' she said, 'what men of sense disapprove, 
 young ladies in general had better not do.' 
 
 ' Oh, I cannot follow you there ! ' said Wych Hazel. ' Sup- 
 pose, for instance, Mr. Rollo (I presume you mean him by 
 "men of sense ") took a kink against my brown dress ? ' 
 
 Not very likely, Mrs. Bywank thought, as she looked at the 
 figure before her. If Hazel had been a wood nymph a week 
 ago, she was surely the loveliest of brown fairies to-day. But 
 still the old housekeeper sighed. 
 
 ' My dear, I know the world,' sue began. 
 
 4 And I don't,' said Hazel. ' I am so glad ! Never fear, 
 Byo, for to-day at least I have got Mr. Falkirk between me 
 and mischief. And there he is this minute, wanting his 
 . breakfast.' 
 
 But to judge by the housekeeper's face as she looked after 
 her young mistress down the stairs, that barrier was not quite 
 all that could be wished. However, if impenetrability were 
 enough for a barrier, Mr. Falkirk could have met any inquisi- 
 tions that morning. 
 
 He came to breakfast as usual ; but this morning breakfast 
 simply meant business. He ate his toast and read his news- 
 paper. With the ending of breakfast came Bx>llo; and the 
 party presently issued forth into the woods which were to be 
 the scene of the day's work. 
 
 The woods of Chickaree were old and fine. For many years 
 undressed and neglected, they had come at last to a rather 
 rampant state of anarchy and misrule. Feebler, though per-
 
 158 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 haps not less promising members were oppressed by the over- 
 topping growth of the stronger. There was an upstart crowd 
 of young wood ; and the best-intentioned trees were hurting 
 each other's efforts because of want of room. It was a lovely 
 wilderness into which the party plunged, and the June morn- 
 ing sat in the tops of the trees and laughed down at them. 
 Human nature could hardly help laughing back in return, so 
 utterly joyous were sun and sky, birds and insects and trees, 
 altogether. They went first to the wilderness through which 
 Rollo and Wych Hazel had made their way on foot one morn- 
 ing, lying near to the house and in the immediate region of 
 its owner's going and coming. Herein were great white oaks 
 lifting their heads into greater silver pines. Here were superb 
 hemlocks threatened by a usurping growth of young deciduous 
 trees. There were dogwoods throwing themselves across 
 everything, and groups of maples and beeches struggling 
 with each other. As yet the wild growth was in many in- 
 stances beautiful ; the damage it was doing was beyond the 
 reach of any but an experienced eye. Here and there a cross 
 in white chalk upon the trunk of a tree was to be seen. 
 
 The three walked slowly down through this leafy wild till 
 they were lost in it. 
 
 1 Now,' said Rollo to the little lady in brown, ' what do you 
 think ought to be done here? ' 
 
 ' I should like to make ways through all this, if I could, 
 true wildwood ways, I mean, that one must look for and 
 hardly find, with here and there a great clearance that should 
 seem to have made itself. What sort of a track would a hurri- 
 cane make here, for instance ? ' 
 
 ' A hurricane ! ' said Mr. Falkirk, facing round upon his 
 ward. 
 
 ' Rather indiscriminate in its action,' observed Rollo. 
 
 'The clearance a hurricane makes in a forest,' Mr. Falkirk 
 went on, ' is generally in the tree-tops. The ground is left a 
 wreck.' 
 
 ' Any system of clearing that I know brings the trees to the 
 ground,' said Wych Hazel. 'But I mean, I like the woods 
 dearly as they are, Mr. Falkirk ; but if I meddled with them,
 
 WOODCKAFT. 159 
 
 then I would have something to shew for it. I would have 
 thoughts instead of the trees, and vistas full of visions. If 
 anything is cut here, it ought to be in a broad hurricane track 
 right down to the west, where 
 
 ' " The wind shall seek them vainly, and the sun 
 Gaze on the vacant space for centuries." 
 
 I do not like fussing with such woods.' 
 
 ' What thought is expressed by a wide system of devasta- 
 tion ? ' asked Rollo, facing her. 
 
 * Power. Do not you like power, Mr. Rollo ? ' she said, with 
 a demure arch of her eyebrows. 
 
 Rollo bit his lips furtively but vigorously, and then demanded 
 to know if Napoleon was her favourite character in history. 
 
 ' No,' said Wych Hazel ; ' he did not know what to do with 
 his power when he had it. A very common mistake, Mr. 
 Hollo, you will find.' 
 
 ' Don't make it,' said he, smiling. 
 
 4 What are you talking about ? ' said Mr. Falkirk, turning 
 round upon them. ' Miss Hazel, we are here hi obedience to 
 your wishes. What do you propose to do, now we are here ? 
 Do you know what needs doing ? ' 
 
 4 What does, Mr. Falkirk in your opinion ? ,' She came 
 close to him, linking her hands upon his arm. ' Tell me first, 
 and then I will tell you.' 
 
 ' There must be a great many trees cut, Miss Hazel ; they 
 have grown up to crowd upon each other very mischievously. 
 And a large quantity of saplings and underbrush must be 
 cleared away. You see where I have begun to mark trees for 
 the axe?' 
 
 4 Truly, sir, I do. Mr. Falkirk, that bent oak is a beauty.' 
 
 ' It will never make a fine tree, and the oak beside it 
 will.' 
 
 ' Well, it is to be congratulated,' said Miss Hazel pensively. 
 ' But what is to become of my poor woods, at that rate ? 
 There is an elm with a branch too many on one side, and a 
 birch keeping house lovingly with a hemlock. If " woodcraft" 
 means only such line-and-rule decimation, Mr. Falkirk '
 
 160 -\VYCII HAZEL. 
 
 ' I don't know what you mean by woodcraft, my dear ; 1 
 mean, taking care of the woods.' 
 
 ' And that means,' added Rollo, ' an intimate knowledge of 
 their natures, and an affectionate care for their interests, a 
 sympathetic, loving, watchful insight and forecast.' 
 
 Wych Hazel gave him a little nod of approval. 
 
 ' Don't you see, sir,' she went on eagerly, ' you must have a 
 bent tree now and then, because it is twice as interesting as 
 the straight ones. And if you cut down all the bushes, Mr. 
 Falkirk, you will clear me out,' she added, laughing up in his 
 face. 
 
 ' You might grant her so much, Mr. Falkirk,' said the other 
 gentleman, ' a bent tree now and then, and all her namesakes, 
 certainly they ought to stand.' 
 
 Mr. Falkirk 's answer was to take a few steps to a large white 
 pine tree, and make a huge dash of white chalk upon its broad 
 bole. Then he stepped back to look again. Action was more 
 in his way than discussion to-day. Eollo began to get into 
 the spirit of the thing, and suggested and pointed out here 
 and there what ought to come down and what ought to be 
 h'ft, and the reasons, with a quick, clear insight and decision 
 to which Mr. Falkirk invariably assented, and almost invari- 
 ably in silence. Deeper and deeper into the wood they worked 
 their way, where the shade lay dark upon the ferns, and the 
 air was cool and spicy with fragrance, and then where the 
 sunlight came down and played at the trees' foot. For a 
 while Wych Hazel kept pace with their steps, advising, counter- 
 manding, and putting in her word generally. But by de- 
 grees she quitted the marking work, and began to flit about by 
 herself, plunging her little fingers deep into moss beds, 
 mimicking the squirrels, and after her old fashion breaking 
 out from time to time into scraps of song. Now Mr. Falkirk's 
 ears were delighted with the ringing chorus 
 ' Woo'd an' married an' a', 
 Woo'd an' married an' a' 
 Wasna she vera weel aff 
 That was woo'd an' married an' a' ? ' 
 
 Then a complete hush seemed to betoken sudden recollec-
 
 WOODCRAFT. 161 
 
 tion on the singer^ x>art that that was quite too private and 
 confidential a matter te be trilled out at the top of one's voice. 
 Presently, again, slow and clear, like the tinkle of a streamlet 
 down the rocks, came the words of ' Aleen Asthore' 
 
 ' Even the way winds 
 
 Come to my cave and sigh ; they often bring 
 Eose leaves upon their wing, 
 
 To strew 
 
 Over my earth, and leaves of violet blue; 
 In sooth, leaves of all kinds.' 
 
 It was a very sweet kind of telegraphing ; but the two 
 gentlemen, deep in the merits of a burly red oak, took no 
 notice how suddenly the song broke off, nor that none other 
 came after it. And when at last they bethought themselves 
 of the young lady truant, and stopped to listen where she 
 might be, they heard a murmur of tongues very different 
 indeed from the silvery tones of Wych Hazel ; and somewhat 
 hastily retracing their steps, came presently into distant view 
 of an undoubted little court, holden easily in the woods. 
 
 Miss Kennedy, uplifted on a grey rock, was the centre 
 thereof, and around her some six or eight gentlemen paid 
 their devoirs in most courtier-like fashion. On the moss at 
 her feet lay Mr. Kingsland, with no less a companion than Mr. 
 Simms, black whiskers, white Venetian collar and all. Three 
 or four others, whom Mr. Falkirk did not know, were loung- 
 ing and laughing and paying attentions of unmistakeable 
 reality ; while Stuart Nightingale, who had come up on horse- 
 back, stood nearest of all, leaning against the rock, his hat off, 
 his horse's bridle upon his arm. 
 
 The consequence of this revelation was a temporary sus- 
 pension of woodcraft, properly so called, another sort of craft, 
 it may possibly have occurred to the actors therein, coming 
 into requisition. Mr. Falkirk at once went forward and joined 
 the group around the rock. More slowly, Hollo's movements 
 also in time brought him there. They could see, as they came 
 nearer, a fine example of the power of feminine adaptation. 
 Was this the girl to whom Mr. Falkirk had discoursed the 
 other night? How swiftly and easily she was taking her 
 
 L
 
 162 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 place ! And though a little downcast and blushing now and 
 then beneath the subtle power of eyes and tongues, yet evidently 
 all the while gathering up the reins, and learning to drive her 
 four-in-hand. Over the two at her feet she was openly queen- 
 ing it already ; over the others what did Wych Hazel see con- 
 cerning them that curled her lips in their soft lines of mischief? 
 Some exquisite hothouse flowers lay in her lap, and a delicate 
 little basket by her side held strawberries red, white, and 
 black such as the neglected Chickaree gardens had never 
 seen. 
 
 4 Why, there is your venerable guardian, Miss Kennedy ! ' 
 drawled out Mr. Kingsland, as Mr. Falkirk came in sight. 
 4 How charming ! Patriarchal 1 And who is that beyond ? 
 Dane Rollo, as I am a Christian ! ' 
 
 . ' Evidently, then, somebody else ! ' said Mr. May. ' Who is 
 it, Nightingale ? ' 
 
 But Mr. Nightingale knew his business better than to reply, 
 and Dane presently spoke for himself. It was the Dane of the 
 Mountain House, courteous and careless, no fellow of these 
 gentlemen, nor yet at all, like Mr. Falkirk, a guard upon them. 
 Mr. Falkirk's brows had unmistakeably drawn together at 
 sight of the new-comers. Rollo stood on the edge of the 
 group, indifferent and at ease, after his wonted fashion in 
 general society. 
 
 ' You are making almost your first acquaintance with these 
 beautiful woods?' Stuart remarked to the little mistress of 
 them, breaking the lull that Mr. Falkirk's arrival had produced. 
 
 4 How old is your own, sir ? ' said Mr. Falkirk. 
 
 4 1 really, I don't know. I have shot here a little, before 
 you came, you know, when it was all waste ground.' 
 
 4 1 remember getting lost in them once, when I was a child,' 
 said Wych HazeL 4 1 think that was my first acquaintance. 
 It was just before we went away. And Mr. Falkirk found .me, 
 and carried me home. Do you remember, sir ? ' 
 
 But Mr. Falkirk was oblivious of such passages of memory 
 in the present company. He gave no token of hearing. In- 
 stead, he cruelly asked Mr. Kingsland how farming got on this 
 cummer? And Mr. Kingsland, by way of returning good for
 
 WOODCRAFT. 163 
 
 evil, gave Mr. Falkirk a shower of reports and statistics, which 
 might have been true, they were so unhesitating. Through 
 wliich rain of facts Mr. Falkirk could just catch the sound of 
 words from Mr. May, the sense of which fell upon Miss Kennedy's 
 ear alone. Until Rollo at her side broke the course of things. 
 
 ' I beg your pardon ! Miss Kennedy ' (in an aside), ' I see 
 Primrose and her father coming. Shall I stop them ? ' 
 
 ' Why, of course 1 ' she said, springing to her feet. ' What 
 a question ! ' 
 
 The two recumbent gentlemen rose at once. 
 
 ' Do you always wear wildwood tints, Miss Kennedy ?' asked 
 Mr. Simms, looking up admiringly at the slim figure. ' I 
 thought the other day that green was matchless; but to- 
 day'- 
 
 ' Yes,' said Wych Hazel. ' But if you would just please stand 
 out of my way and let me jump down. I want to see Dr. 
 Maryland.' 
 
 The gentleman laughed and retreated ; and disregarding 
 the half-dozen offered hands, Hazel sprang from her rock and 
 stood out a step or two, shading her eyes and looking down 
 the woodland, where Rollo had disappeared to meet the 
 approaching carriage. The thicket was so close just here 
 that the carriage road though not far off was invisible. 
 Down below, Rollo had caught a glimpse of the well-known 
 little green buggy creeping up the hill ; and in another few 
 minutes its occupants appeared coming through the trees. 
 Wych Hazel had hold of their hands almost before they had 
 sight of her. 
 
 ' I thought you had given me up, Dr. Maryland,' she said, 
 ' and were never coming to see me at all.' 
 
 4 Two days,' said the Doctor benignly, ' two fair days, my 
 dear, since we took breakfast together. I have not been very 
 delinquent. Though it seems I am not the first here. Good 
 morning, Mr. Kingslandl how do you do, Mr. Burr? how 
 do you do, Mr. Sutphen ? Mr. May ? Are you holding an as- 
 sembly here, my dear?' And by that time Dr. Maryland had 
 worked round to Mr. Falkirk, and the hands of the two gentle- 
 men closed in an earnest, prolonged clasp, after the approved
 
 164 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 method gentlemen have of expressing their estimation of each 
 other. 
 
 ' Miss Kennedy is pretty sure to " hold " whoever comes near 
 her, sir,' said Mr. Burr. 
 
 4 1 can certify that the " assembly " is quite powerless, Doctor, 
 if it will be any relief to your mind,' said Mr. Kingsland ; 
 while Hazel, with Prim's hand in hers, was eagerly speaking 
 her pleasure. 
 
 ' What are you doing ? ' said Primrose under her breath, and 
 looking in some astonishment at the gathering. 
 
 * Oh, nothing talking ! They wanted to know how I got 
 home,' said Wych, an amused look betraying itself. Then, 
 quitting Primrose, she went forward a little to receive the fare- 
 well addresses of several gentlemen who preferred to see Miss 
 Kennedy alone. The group began to clear away. Prim's eye 
 watched her in her graceful, pretty self-possession, as she met 
 and returned the parting salutations, and then went over by 
 some instinct to where another eye was watching her too, with 
 a contented sparkle in its intentness. That was only a second, 
 though. Hollo had no mind to have all the world know what 
 he was thinking about ; and even as her glance found him, his 
 turned away. The strangers being at last disposed of, those 
 remaining began a slow procession towards the house. But a 
 parting word of Mr. Nightingale's must be noted. 
 
 'Any chance for a ride to the wood to-morrow?' he said, 
 with tones so modulated that he thought his words safe. And 
 she answered 
 
 1 Oh, my horses have not come. There will be little riding 
 for me yet a while.' 
 
 1 And these are the Chickaree woods ! ' said Dr. Maryland, as 
 they walked on. ' How beautiful they are ! Are you very 
 happy, Hazel, in the hope of being the mistress of all this ? ' 
 
 4 Why, I thought I call myself the mistress now, sir ! Is it 
 an uncertainty dependent on my good behaviour?' she said, 
 with a laugh. 
 
 ' You know you are not of age, my dear ; but I suppose Mr. 
 Falkirk gives you all the essentials of dominion. Do you feel 
 at home yet ? '
 
 WOODCRAFT. 165 
 
 1 Very much. You know, sir, I have just a little remem- 
 brance of the old time, when mamma was here, to begin with. 
 But how heedless I am I ' she said, abruptly putting the 
 little basket which had been swinging from her hands into 
 the hands of Dr. Maryland. ' There, sir, will you take some 
 refreshment by the way ? ' Then, turning to Primrose, Miss 
 Kennedy laid the fragrant weight of hothouse flowers upon her. 
 
 'Are these from your garden?' said Primrose, somewhat 
 bewildered ; while Dr. Maryland, putting his fingers without 
 scruple in among the black and white strawberries, asked in an 
 approving tone of voice, ' Have you been picking these your- 
 self , my dear ?' 
 
 ' I picked them up, sir,' said Hazel, with the laugh in her 
 voice. 'Not off the vines, however. They are hothouse 
 flowers,' she answered to Primrose. ' When my houses are in 
 order, you shall have them every day.' 
 
 ' They are very good,' said Dr. Maryland gravely, eating 
 away. ' Where did you get them, my dear?' 
 
 ' Mr. May brought them, sir,' said the girl, looking down 
 now, and walking straight on. 
 
 ' Mr. May ! ' echoed Dr. Maryland. ' How comes Mr. May to 
 be bringing you strawberries? And those flowers, too?' 
 glancing over at Primrose's full hands. 
 
 k No, sir ; Mr. Burr brought the flowers.' 
 
 ' You are a fearful man for asking questions, sir,' said Eollo, 
 with a flash of fun in his face. 
 
 ' Questions ! ' said the Doctor, picking out the black straw- 
 berries abstractedly ; ' I've a right to ask her questions. The 
 strawberries are good! but I wish Mr. May had not brought 
 them.' 
 
 ' So would he, if he knew you were eating them, sir.' 
 
 ' I've eaten enough of them,' said Dr. Maryland, seeming to 
 recollect himself. ' They are very good ; they are the finest 
 strawberries I have seen.' And he handed the basket to Mr. 
 Falkirk, who immediately passed it over to Kollo. Kollo 
 balanced the basket on his fingers, and carried it so, but put 
 never a finger inside. 
 
 ' I am afraid your head will be turned, Hazel, my dear,' said
 
 166 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 Dr. Maryland, ' if the adulation has begun so soon. What will 
 you do when you are a little better known ?' 
 
 ' Ah ! ' said Hazel, with an indescribable intonation, ' ask Mr. 
 Falkirk that, Dr. Maryland. Poor Mr. Falkirk ! he is learning 
 every day of his life what it is to know me " a little better." ' 
 
 * I can imagine that,' said Dr. Maryland quite gravely. 
 ' My dear, what a beautiful old house you have ! ' 
 
 The June day, however, was so alluring, that they could not 
 make up their minds to go inside. On the basket chairs, in the 
 low verandah, they sat down, and looked and talked. Prim- 
 rose did not talk much she was quiet ; nor Mr. Falkirk he 
 was taciturn. The burden of talk was chiefly borne by Wych 
 Hazel and the Doctor. In a genial, enjoying, sympathising 
 mood, Dr. Maryland came out in a way uncommon for him, 
 asked questions about the woods, the property, the old house ; 
 and delighted himself in the beauty that was abroad in earth 
 and sky. 
 
 ' My dear,' he said at last to Wych Hazel, ' you have all that 
 this world can give you. What are you going to do with 
 it?' 
 
 ' Have I ? ' she said, rather wistfully. ' I thought I was look- 
 ing for something more. What could I do with it, sir ? You 
 know Mr. Falkirk manages everything as well as can be, now.' 
 
 'Are you looking for something more?' said Dr. Maryland 
 tenderly. * What more are you looking for, Hazel ? ' 
 
 ' Suppose I should tell you I do not quite know myself, sir ? ' 
 . ' I should say, my dear, the best thing would be to find out.' 
 
 * I shall know when I find it,' said the girl. If I find it.' 
 
 ' " To him that hath shall be given ! " One of the best ways, 
 Hazel, to find more, is to make the best use of what we have.' 
 
 The girl left her seat, and, kneeling down by Dr. Maryland, 
 laid her hand on his shoulder. 
 
 ' I mean,' she said, dropping her voice so that only the 
 Doctor could hear, ' not more of what people call much, but 
 something where I have nothing. To belong to somebody to 
 have somebody belong to me. You know there is just empty 
 space between me and every living creature. So, if you. will 
 give me Primrose for my own,' she added aloud, ' you see, sir,
 
 WOODCRAFT. 167 
 
 that might end all the difficulties. I will keep her here, and 
 you shall see her quite often.' 
 
 ' Ah, my dear,' said the Doctor wistfully, ' I am afraid 
 Primrose wouldn't do ! ' 
 
 ' I have wanted her ever since she took me hi out of the rain, 
 and did not wonder how I got wet,' said Hazel, laughing, but 
 dropping her voice again. 
 
 1 If you had her, my dear, you would then want something 
 or somebody else.' 
 
 ' May be you do not understand me, sir,' she said, a little 
 eager to be understood, and pouring out confidences in a way 
 as rare with her as it was complimentary to her hearer. ' I am 
 not complaining of anybody. I know Mr. Falkirk is very fond 
 of me ; but he likes to keep me off at a respectful distance. 
 Only a few nights ago I was feeling particularly good, for me, 
 and rather lonely, and I just asked him to kiss me for good 
 night, and it made him so glum, that he has hardly opened 
 his lips to me ever since,' said Wych Hazel in an aggrieved 
 voice. 
 
 'Perhaps Mr. Falkirk has something upon his mind, my 
 dear 1 ' said Dr. Maryland, with raised eyebrows and an un- 
 common expression of fun playing about the lines of his mouth. 
 ' It is not always safe to conclude that coincident facts have a 
 relation of cause and effect.' 
 
 ' No,' said the girl, ' I suppose not. But I stood there all 
 by myself, and heard him turn the keys and rattle the bolts, 
 and then I ran up-stairs to find Mrs. Bywank, and of course 
 she couldn't speak for toothache. And then I felt as if there 
 was nobody in all the world in all my world but me ! ' 
 
 Dr. Maryland looked tenderly upon the young girl beside 
 him, yet uncomprehendingly. Probably his peculiar masculine 
 nature furnished him with no clue to her essentially feminine 
 views of things. 
 
 ' I dare say, my dear,' he said, ' I dare say ! The best cure 
 for such a state of feeling that I know, would be to begin living 
 for other people. You will find the world grow populous 
 very soon. And one other cure,' he added, his eye going away 
 from Wych Hazel into an abstracted gaze towards the outer
 
 168 \VYCH HAZEL. 
 
 world ; ' when you can say, " Whom have I in heaven but 
 thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee." ' 
 
 The little hand upon his shoulder stirred, was lifted, and 
 laid down again. Somehow she comprehended him better 
 than he did her. Then, with a sudden motion, Hazel took off a 
 luminous bracelet, one of the three she always wore, and laid 
 it across Dr. Maryland's hand. 
 
 ' Did mamma ever shew you that, sir ? ' she said. ' She had 
 it made just for me. And then my wrist was so small that it 
 would go twice round.' 
 
 It was a string of twelve stones, all different, all cut and set 
 alike ; each long parallelogram fitting rather closely to the next 
 on either side ; the hues opaque, translucent, clouded 
 flashed and gleamed with every imaginable variation of colour 
 and shade. The Doctor looked at it in silence ; then spoke. 
 
 ' What did she mean by it, Hazel, my dear? I do not catch 
 the interpretation.' 
 
 She turned it a little in his hand, until the light fell on the 
 gold framing beneath the gems, and Dr. Maryland could read 
 the fine graven tracery ' The first, a jasper.' 
 
 'Ah!' he exclaimed, with new interest, 'I see.' And he took 
 up the chain of stones and turned it over and over, rather 
 passed it through his fingers like a rosary, studying the stones 
 and murmuring the names of them. 
 
 ' " The wall of the city had twelve foundations," ' he said at 
 last, giving the chain back, with a look of light and love com- 
 bined ; ' " and in the wall were twelve gates, and each several 
 gate was one pearl ; and the streets were gold, like unto trans- 
 parent glass: and nothing that defile th shall by any means 
 enter there, but those that are washed in the blood of the 
 Lamb." I like that, my dear.' 
 
 His look made all the application his words did not. Pre- 
 sently he rose up and asked Wych Hazel if he might go into 
 her library. A book was there, he thought, that he wanted 
 to look at. Hazel guided him in, but then he dismissed her 
 and she went back to Primrose on the verandah. Slowly back, 
 softly fingering her bright stones, soberly thinking to herself 
 the motto upon the clasp : In hope of eternal life.'
 
 WOODCRAFT. 169 
 
 'What were you talking to papa about?' said Primrose, 
 putting a loving hand into Wych Hazel's. The two other 
 gentlemen were speaking together at a little distance. ' I 
 thought you looked troubled ; but I could not hear, for Duke 
 was talking to me.' 
 
 ' Dr. Maryland should have been the troubled one, part of 
 the time,' said Hazel, bringing her other hand upon Prim's, 
 ' for I asked him to give you to me.' 
 
 ' What would become of him and Duke ? ' said Primrose, 
 smiling. 
 
 ' Really Mr. Hollo did not enter into my calculations,' said 
 Wych Hazel, coming back with a rebound into her everyday 
 self. ' Does he require much time and care bestowed upon 
 him?' 
 
 ' Don't you think all men do ? ' 
 
 ' I do not know all men,' said Wych Hazel. ' Mr. Falkirk 
 does not get it. But does Mr. Rollo live at your house? ' 
 
 ' Why, of course, when he's here. He always did, you know. 
 And oh, Duke helps me ! It is twice as easy to take care of 
 papa when I have him in the house too. But, Hazel, I am 
 going to get you to help me in another way, if I can.' 
 
 ' What way ? ' said Hazel. ' Then if Mr. Rollo is so helpful, 
 he might take care of Dr. Maryland altogether, and you could 
 come to take care of me.' 
 
 Primrose laughed. 
 
 ' Oh, men cannot get along as women can, don't you know 
 that ? ' she said. ' No ; I want you for my Sunday school. 
 What's the matter ? ' 
 
 These last words were caused by a diversion of the speaker's 
 thoughts. For she had noticed, while speaking, that a man 
 had come in haste to the place where the two gentlemen were 
 standing ; and that after a very few words, Mr. Falkirk had 
 thrown on his hat and gone down the grassy slope with the 
 messenger ; while Rollo had turned as suddenly and was com- 
 ing towards them.
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 QUESTIONS. 
 
 EOLLO came up with the grave business look of one who has 
 serious matters on hand. 
 
 ' A messenger has come,' he said, speaking to Wych Hazel, 
 ' to say that one of the men has met with an accident.' 
 
 He could see how the shock struck her ; but she made no 
 exclamation, only her hands met in a tight clasp as they had 
 done in the woods fire. She faced him silently, waiting more 
 words. 
 
 ' I don't know how bad it is. I am going to see ; and I will 
 come back to you by and by.' 
 
 1 Where ? and who? ' she asked. 
 
 ' In the wood cutting. It is Reo.' He spoke as a man who 
 speaks unwillingly. 
 
 Hazel gave a little cry at that, and turning suddenly, flew 
 into the house. The next thing was the llutter of her light 
 foot outside among the trees. But overtaken the next minute, 
 she was stopped by a hand on her arm and held fast. How- 
 ever, Dane spoke very gently. 
 
 ' Miss Hazel ! you had better not go yourself.' 
 
 *I am going!' she said, struggling to disengage herself. 
 1 Mr. Rollo ! ' 
 
 ' Stop ! ' he said gently and steadily. ' Miss Hazel, I shall 
 not let you go.' 
 
 In her excitement she hardly took in more than the mere 
 fact of his words, and dropping everything she had in her hand, 
 Hazel took hold of his fingers and began to loosen them with 
 her own ; which had a good deal of will in them, if they were 
 small. The immediate effect was to secure the imprisonment
 
 QUESTIONS. 171 
 
 of both her hands in a clasp that was stronger than hers. I 
 hardly think Rollo disliked it, for he smiled a little as he spoke. 
 
 1 Listen,' he said. ' Miss Hazel, I shall not let you go down 
 yonder. I will bring you news as soon as I can ; but you must 
 stay here with Rosy. Don't you see,' he added very gently, as 
 he turned about and walked towards the house with her, put- 
 ting one little hand on his arm while his other hand still held it 
 fast, ' don't you see, you could do nothing just yet ? And I 
 take this upon myself I shall not let you go. You must stay 
 here and take care of Rosy, till I can come back to you.' 
 
 4 I will not 1 ' she said, stopping short again. ' I will go ! 
 It is my right! Where should a woman be? And Oh,' she 
 cried, with a change of tone, ' it is Reo I And he will want 
 things and he will want me 1 ' 
 
 ' Not yet,' said Rollo ; ' it is not time for either yet. He 
 shall want nothing, I promise you, that he ought to have. 
 But you must be good, and stay with Rosy.' 
 
 He spoke as a brother might speak to a little sister of whom 
 he was very fond, or brothers do not often take just that tone. 
 Primrose, looking on, knew very well what it meant. Wych 
 Hazel was in far too much commotion of mind to discern any- 
 thing. She had yielded to superior strength, which indeed 
 she could not gracefully resist ; and then there came over her 
 heart such a flood of grief, that for the last few steps she was 
 quite passive, though giving no sign but the quiver that 
 touched her mouth and went and came again. But at Rollo's 
 last words she drew herself up defiantly. 
 
 'Do you expect to stand here and hold me all day?' she 
 said. 
 
 4 No,' he said, gravely now, meeting her look. * I expect 
 you to have self-control and womanly patience, and to let me 
 go and do my part, until it is time for you to do yours. Will 
 you?' 
 
 'I shall do what I think best. The question is none of 
 yours, Mr. Rollo. Self-control! I have a little!' she said, 
 under her breath. 
 
 4 Do you mean to keep me here,' he said gravely and quietly, 
 * when I may be so much wanted elsewhere ? You would be
 
 172 WTCH HAZEL. 
 
 in the way there, but I am needed. Still, you are my first 
 care. Must I stay here to take care of you? or -will you pro- 
 mise me to be good, and wait quietly with Primrose until I 
 bring you word?' 
 
 His eye went to Primrose as he ended, in a mute appeal for 
 help. And Prim came near, and laid her hand softly on Wych 
 Hazel's shoulder. 
 
 ' Do, dear Hazel ! ' she said. ' Duke knows ; you may trust 
 him.' 
 
 It was indescribable the way she freed herself from them 
 both, as if to be touched now was beyond the bounds of en- 
 durance. Prim's words Hazel utterly ignored, but something 
 in the other's claimed attention. 
 
 ' Go ! go ! ' she said hurriedly. ' Go and do your part ! 
 If you had been content with doing that at first, we should 
 have had no trouble.' She wrapped her arms round one of the 
 light verandah pillars, and leaning her head against it, gave 
 look nor word more. 
 
 Rollo stayed for none, but dashed away down the slope, and 
 was lost in the woods. Primrose stood near Wych Hazel, very 
 much at a loss indeed, but too troubled to be still. 
 
 'Dear Hazel,' she ventured, in a very soft voice, 'don't 
 feel so ! What is the matter ? ' 
 
 'Did you not hear?' 
 
 *Yes. But, Hazel dear, you know hardly anything yet; 
 there may be very little to be troubled about. The accident 
 may be very slight, for all you know. I always think it best to 
 wait and see, and then have your strength ready to work with.' 
 
 ' My strength has been extremely useful to -day.' 
 'What do you mean, dear?' said Primrose, softly endea- 
 vouring to coax the hands and arms away from the verandah 
 pillar. ' Look here ! Look up and be yourself again. May be 
 there is very little the matter. Wait and see.' 
 
 ' Wait ! ' Hazel repeated. ' People talk as if waiting waa 
 such easy work 1 ' 
 
 ' I never said it was easy,' said Primrose gently. ' But some 
 people have to wait all their lives.' There was the very essence 
 of patience in the intonation.
 
 QUESTIONS. 173 
 
 ' I should think their lives would be short.' 
 
 Primrose sighed a little, and was silent. Perhaps she thought 
 that those who had little occasion to practise the grace were 
 unreasonable. But I think she only remembered that the one 
 near her was very unpractised. 
 
 'Forgive me! I do not mean to be' the girl faltered 
 out, the tremor coming back to her voice. ' But Eeo ! ' And 
 with that, pain and disappomtment and chagrin joined forces, 
 and quitting her pillar, Hazel dropped down by one of the 
 great wicker chairs, and layin her head there, burst into a 
 passion of weeping that almost made Primrose wish for the 
 hard -edged calm again. 
 
 So she stood passively by until the storm was spent; and 
 Dr. Maryland having satisfied his book quest, came out again, 
 awakening to the fact that it was time he and Primrose were 
 jogging homeward Primrose took him aside and explained 
 the situation of affairs ; after which Dr. Maryland too forth- 
 with betook himself down the slope in the direction where Mr. 
 Falkirk and Rollo had disappeared. After a little interval of 
 further suspense, he was seen coming back again. He reported 
 that Reo was not much hurt ; had been a good deal bruised, and 
 the accident had threatened to be serious ; but after all no great 
 harm was done. Primrose nevertheless begged that her father 
 would go home without her, she could come with Duke, she said. 
 
 Dr. Maryland's waggon had not been brought round, how- 
 ever, when a very different vehicle appeared, climbing the 
 steep, and Primrose proclaimed that Mrs. Powder was at 
 hand. The carriage drew up before the verandah, and from 
 it descended the ex-Governor's lady and two young ones, Miss 
 Annabella and another. Mrs. Powder was a stately lady, 
 large and dignified. Those two things do not always go to- 
 gether, but they did in her case. She was extremely gracious 
 to all the members of the little group she found gathered to 
 receive her. Then, as Dr. Maryland was going, she sat down 
 to talk to him about some business which engaged her. So 
 the two older persons were a little removed from the rest. 
 Miss Annabella did nothing but look handsome and calm, after 
 her wont ; but her younger sister was of different mettle.
 
 174 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 'And so this is Chickaree?' she said, gazing up and down 
 and about at the old house and its surroundings. ' What a 
 delightful old place ! And are you the mistress of it, really 
 without being married, you know ? How splendid ! I always 
 think that's the worst of being married, you lose your liberty, 
 you know, and there's always somebody to bother you ; but to 
 have a grand place, and house, and all that, and to be mis- 
 tress, and have no master! I declare,' Miss Josephine cried, 
 throwing up hands and eyes, ' it's as good as a fairy tale. And 
 much better, for it don't all vanish in smoke in a minute. Oh, 
 don't you feel like a fairy princess in the midst of all your 
 magnificence ? You look like it, too ! ' added the young lady, 
 surveying the person of her hostess. ' Ain't you proud? ' 
 
 Hazel's spent and past excitement had left her rather pale 
 and grave, so that she was doing the honours with an extra 
 touch of stateliness. Self-control was trying its best now, for 
 she had not the least mind that anybody should know it had 
 ever been shaken. So she ordered lunch to be served out 
 there on the verandah, and made Dr. Maryland wait for it, 
 and talked to Miss Annabella ; and now gave Miss Josephine 
 a cool 'Proud ! is that Avhat you call it? ' which left nothing 
 to be desired. 
 
 'I thought they said she was so brilliant!' remarked Miss 
 Annabella in an aside to Primrose. ' But I suppose that is 
 with gentlemen ! ' 
 
 ' What do you call it ? ' the younger Miss Powder went on. 
 ' / should be proud awfully if I had such a house and all. 
 I'd take my time about being married. Wouldn't you? Don't 
 you think it is best to put off being married as long as you 
 can ? not till it's too long, you know. The fun's all over then, 
 don't you think so? except the house, and carriage, and 
 establishment, and giving entertainments, and all that. And 
 you have got it all already. Oh, I should think you would 
 make the men dance round 1 ' 
 
 Wych Hazel had followed this rush of new ideas with a 
 degree of amazement which before she knew culminated in a 
 merry laugh. But she was grave again immediately. 
 
 ' Should you ? ' she said. ' How do you do it ? '
 
 QUESTIONS. 1*75 
 
 Don't you know how 9 ' said the other girl, with an expres- 
 sion of insinuation, fun, and daring -which it is difficult to give 
 on paper. She was a pretty, bright girl, too. The question 
 would have been impudent if it had not been comical. 'I 
 know you do ! ' she went on. ' You've got a good battery. 
 I'd like to see you do it. I always do. It's such fun ! All 
 men are good for,' she exclaimed next, with a carl on her lip, 
 'except to carry one's parasol and things! Do you know 
 Kitty Fisher?' 
 
 ' Not even by name,' said Miss Kennedy, studying her guest 
 as an entirely new species. 
 
 ' She's a splendid girl ! She's coming to Moscheloo next 
 week. There'll be goings on then ! People are so stupid here 
 in the country, they want somebody to wake them up. 
 Kitty's awfully jolly. Oh, what a lovely old house ! Take me 
 in and let me see it, won't you ? Oh, what a lovely hall ! 
 What a place for a German ! Oh, you'll give a German, won't 
 you?' 
 
 ' I do not know what I shall give yet, Miss Powder.' 
 
 'I'm not Miss Powder! Annabella wouldn't thank you. 
 She'd like me to be Miss Powder, though. Tell me, don't 
 you think people could get along just as well if they weren't 
 married ? Now there's my mother wants to marry us off as 
 quick as she can ; and every other girl's mother is just the 
 same. What do they do it for ? Oh, you've got a dreadful 
 old guardian, haven't you? Does Tie want you to get married? 
 Ain't it hateful to have a guardian? I should think it would 
 be awfully poky.' 
 
 'Did you never see Mr. Falkirk?' said Hazel gravely. 
 Somehow this girl's talk made her extremely reticent; but 
 that made little difference to Miss ' Phinny.' The next ques- 
 tion was 
 
 ' Do you know Stephen Kingsland ? ' 
 
 'Yes.' 
 
 ' Don't you admire him ? Ain't he a catch for somebody ? 
 But you know Stuart Nightingale, don't you ?' 
 
 Again Miss Kennedy said yes. 
 
 Like him ? '
 
 176 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 ' Do you ? ' said HazeL 
 
 ' I think he's splendid ! He's so amusing ; and he's a splen- 
 did dancer. It's fun to dance with Stuart Nightingale! I 
 don't very often get him, though. But you didn't answer me 
 do you like him ? ' 
 
 ' I am not much in the habit of answering people,' said 
 Hazel frankly. ' You will find that out if you see enough of 
 me.' 
 
 ' Ain't you ? Why ? ' asked the young lady ingenuously. 
 
 'Because I do not like to be questioned. You perceive 
 no fault can be found with my reasons,' she added, with a 
 smile. 
 
 ' Then you do like him, I know. People are never afraid to 
 tell their dislikes. Why ! is that ' 
 
 A broken-off inquiry here was never finished, the answer to 
 it in fact being furnished by the coming near of Eollo, whose 
 distant appearance had first suggested it. He came up on the 
 verandah, shook hands with Mrs. Powder, but gave the other 
 ladies one of what Wych Hazel used to know as his Spanish 
 greetings, courteous and distant equally. Dr. Maryland had 
 before this finished his colloquy with the ex- Governor's lady 
 and departed. Rollo now took his place, and talked to Mrs. 
 Powder, while for a few minutes Annabella used her eyes as 
 much as she could, and Miss Phinny ceased to use her tongue. 
 
 Wych Hazel never knew by what instinct she worked her 
 way through that first bit of time. Eager for more tidings, 
 sure that her eagerness must not appear, she held her breath 
 for one minute ; then rose up cool and quiet, the young mis- 
 tress of Chickaree. 
 
 ' Yes,' she said, answering Phinny's half -spoken words, ' it 
 is Mr. Rollo. And of course he has had no luncheon.' 
 
 She summoned Dingee with a blast of her silver whistle 
 (there were few bells at Chickaree), ordered up hot chocolate 
 and fresh tea, and relays of fruit and cream, and herself stepped 
 forward to see them served. 
 
 'There are croquettes, Mr. Eollo,' she said; 'and Dingee 
 will bring you cold beef. And with what may I fill your 
 cup?'
 
 QUESTIONS. 1*77 
 
 Primrose, through her scattering talk with Miss Annabella, 
 watched, as she could, these two people, who were so strange 
 to her simplicity. Here was Wych Hazel, a little while ago on 
 the floor in a passion of tears, now calm, self-possessed, and 
 graceful. Primrose had been very uncertain how she would 
 meet Rollo the next time ; with a kind of wonder she heard 
 her friendly offer of chocolate, and observed Hollo's perfectly 
 cool and matter of course acceptance of it from her hands. It 
 was something beyond Primrose. She waited to see how it 
 would be when Mrs. Powder went away. 
 
 But a great many thoughts went in among the sugar that 
 Primrose never guessed. Wych Hazel was anxiously waiting 
 to have the good report about Reo confirmed, and would not 
 show her anxiety. But what did Prim mean by people's wait- 
 ing all their lives ? "What did they wait for ? Well, these two 
 people needn't wait any longer for a meeting, that was one 
 thing. That affair was well off her hands. Why hadn't Mr. 
 Falkirk returned too ? Staying with Reo, perhaps, until she 
 came ; and she could not go, and could not ask. And now, of 
 course, the Powders would just stay on, supplementing their 
 lunch to bear Mr. Rollo company. Perhaps, though, it was 
 just as well they were here when he came, because she knew 
 she ought to be furiously angry with him, and somehow that 
 was never a role she could play. Before excitement reached 
 that point, she always got hurt or troubled or timid, and 
 just now she was too tired. If he told her to sit there and 
 count her fingers, she should hardly have spirit to resist. How- 
 ever had he dared to take hold of said fingers as he had done ! 
 And with that came a sudden rush to Miss Kennedy's cheeks, 
 which made her wish she could go for hot chocolate instead of 
 Dingee. He had hindered her by sheer force, gentle force, 
 and gentlemanlike, but none the less true to its name. 
 There was one of the peculiar advantages of being a woman 
 or a girl ! She should be stronger in full womanhood. But 
 oh, she was woman enough to take care of Reo ! And if Reo 
 were dying, and Mr. Rollo did not want to have her go, he 
 would sit calmly there and want more chocolate ! She glanced 
 at him from under the long eyelashes, and another flush (of
 
 178 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 impatience this time) tinged her cheeks. But she did not stint 
 him in sugar, nor make any mistakes with the cream. Then 
 her eyes went away over the long slope, where birds and sun- 
 shine held their revels. Wait ! what did people wait for all 
 their lives ? And why did Dr. Maryland's last words come up 
 to her again ? And why did the aforesaid eyelashes grow wet ? 
 She was all shaken out of herself by the morning's work. She 
 would send Dingee to inquire, and not wait. But then, if this 
 strange man should order him back, and Dingee could not be 
 relied on to go silently ! No, she could not have a scene before 
 all these people. And a wee bit of a sigh, well kept in 
 hand, went to the compounding of Miss Phinny's third cup. 
 4 Womanly patience ! ' how was hers to be grown yet I And 
 what did he know about it, any way ? She should like to see 
 him thoroughly thwarted for once, and see how much manly 
 patience he had on hand. And another swift glance went his 
 way ; but with anxiety rousing up again, the glance lingered, 
 and was more inquiring than she meant it should be. 
 
 Luncheon was really over at last. The Governor's lady said 
 some gracious words of welcome to her young hostess, invited 
 her to a dinner party a few days off, and, having ordered up her 
 carriage, swept away with her daughters. What will be now ? 
 thought Primrose. 
 
 Rollo had put the ladies into their carriage, and stood long 
 enough to let them get out of observation behind the woods ; 
 then he came up on the verandah, and going round the table 
 sat down beside Wych Hazel. Primrose saw did the other? 
 the easy motion which was universal with him, the fine figure, 
 the frank, bright face. Primrose did not mean to watch, but 
 she saw it all, and the look with which he sat down. It was 
 not that of a man about to make an apology, neither had it any 
 smile of attempted ingratiation. It was rather a sweet, confi- 
 dential look of inquiry, which, however, went down through 
 the depths of the brown eyes he was looking into, and rifled 
 them of their secrets. It was a sort of look before which a 
 woman's eyes falL 
 
 ' Reo is not seriously hurt,' he said softly, when this point 
 had been reached.
 
 QUESTIONS IV 9 
 
 She bowed her head. 'So Dr. Maryland brought word, at 
 least the hope. 1 
 
 ' He is only a good deal bruised. No bones broke, nor any 
 other harm done. It might have been worse ; and so the 
 messenger who first came did not alarm us for nothing. One 
 of the woodcutters had felled a large tree without giving due 
 warning, or Reo had not heeded the warning ; he was caught 
 under the tree. But he escaped very well. He is at his 
 own house, where he will have to keep his bed some days, I 
 fancy.' 
 
 Another mute gesture. Perhaps the girl was not sure of 
 herself after all the morning's work, and had no mind to risk 
 another admonition about self-control. 
 
 ' I am very glad,' she said gravely, after a minute. 
 
 ' I am very glad. Mr. Falkirk has sprained his ankle,' he 
 went on, a little lower. 
 
 'Mr. Falkirk!' 
 
 Hazel sprang up, then as instantly sat down again. There 
 should be no more strength used about her that day. 
 
 ' Helping Reo ? ' she said. 
 
 ' Not directly. He made a mis-step, I think, among the con- 
 fusion of branches, cut and uncut, with which the ground was 
 encumbered ; slipped off one of them, perhaps ; somehow gave 
 1m foot a twist, and there he is. That was the cause of my 
 long delay.' 
 
 He spoke, watching the little lady all the while. 
 
 ' Why did he not come here? it was nearer,' she said, with 
 some accent of impatience. 
 
 'No,' very gently; ' we were nearer his coUage. I pro- 
 posed bringing him where I was sure you would wish for 
 him here, at once; but Mr. Falkirk laid his commands on 
 me and on all concerned so absolutely, that there was no choice. 
 We carried him to his cottage, for he could not walk.' 
 
 ' Just like Mr. Falkirk.' Then the impatience died away in 
 a soft tone of pity ' Not able to walk ! ' 
 
 ' He will be a prisoner for some time, I am afraid.' 
 
 Hazel made no answer to that. Thoughts were crowding in 
 thick and fast. What was she going to do, with Air. Falkirk
 
 180 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 laid up ? "Would she be a prisoner too ? Was she to live here 
 in this great old house alone, by day as well as by night ? They 
 were rather sober thoughts that came. 
 
 ' That's very bad for Hazel,' said Primrose, coming near and 
 joining the group. 
 
 Hazel held out her hand and got fast hold of Prim's. . She 
 was ready for the sympathy this time. 
 
 ' Does he suffer very much, Mr. Rollo ? ' 
 
 ' I don't think he minds that part of it ; no, I left him in 
 comparative comfort. I think his trouble is about you. And 
 he ought tg have come here ! But people don't always know 
 what they ought to do. I am going down there again presently 
 to look after him, and make sure that Gotham understands 
 bandages.' 
 
 ' Gotham thinks he understands everything.' 
 
 ' I'll just make sure on that point. Have you any commands 
 before I go ? ' 
 
 ' No, thank you,' sha said, with just the lightest shade of 
 hesitation, ' I think not.' 
 
 4 Reconsider that, and give me my orders.' 
 
 'No, truly!' Hazel answered, looking up at him. How 
 busy the thoughts were ! 
 
 ' I am going to Reo's first ; have you any commands there ? ' 
 
 But she shook her head. ' No, Mr. Rollo, not any.' 
 
 He went off ; and there was an interval somewhat quiet and 
 untalkative between the two girls. Later, Rollo came back, 
 reported both patients doing well, and carried Prim home 
 with him. 
 
 ' Did you think I was all ungrateful ? ' Hazel said, wrapping 
 her arms round Prim. ' Well, I was not. 1
 
 
 " Hazel never knew at what cost to himself Reo managed to put out one 
 hand far enough to receive her dainty fingers." P. 181.
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 BOUQUETS. 
 
 WTCH HAZEL stood alone on her broad steps, watching the 
 others out of sight, and feeling alone too. It must be nice to 
 belong to somebody, to have brothers and friends ! Just for 
 the moment she forgot her now unwatched independence. 
 But then she came back to business, and flew off up-stairs. 
 The brown dress could not stay on another minute, was not 
 the whole morning tucked away in its folds ? That was the 
 first thing. And the second thing was, that Miss Kennedy in 
 a cloud of fresh muslin and laces came out again upon the 
 steps, and calling Dingee to follow her, began to speed away 
 through the old trees at a sort of flying pace. It was late 
 afternoon now, with lovely slant sunbeams and shadows fall- 
 ing across the slope, and a tossing breeze, and the birds at their 
 evening concert. Fresh air and alion soon brought the girl 
 up to concert pitch herself, and she went on like a very sprite, 
 along a side wood path, avoiding the main approach ; and so 
 gained the lodge by a side door, and in a minute more stood 
 by the bedside of her faithful old retainer. Hazel never knew 
 at what cost to himself Reo managed to put out one hand far 
 enough to receive her dainty fingers. 
 
 1 My little lady ! ' he said fondly ; ' I knew she would come.' 
 ' Reo ! Reo ! I am so sorry !' she said, her eyes grow- 
 ing wet. 
 
 'No need, Miss Wych, dear,' said Reo, smiling at her, though 
 his own eyes moistened to see hers. 
 
 ' And it was just cutting those trees that I did not want cut ! ' 
 ' Ay. But they do want cutting, though, Miss Wych,' said 
 Reo. ' Mr. Falkirk is right. And Mr. Rollo.'
 
 182 WYGH HAZEL. 
 
 How that name came up at every turn! 
 
 ' Those trees are so big,' said Hazel, with a shiver. c I do 
 not see how you evsr got out again, Reo ! ' 
 
 ' Never should, my little lady,' said Reo, 'only that there was 
 somewhat between me and the tree.' 
 
 ' Between you and the tree ! ' said Hazel. ' Do you mean 
 another tree, that kept it off ? ' 
 
 * No, little lady,' said Reo ; ' I mean the Lord's hand. You 
 see he's quicker than we are ; and before I could jump or turn, 
 his hand was there over me, and caught the tree, and let it 
 touch me but just so much.' 
 
 Hazel stood looking at him. 
 
 ' Suppose he had not put his hand there, Reo? ' she said. 
 
 4 Then it would have been under me, Miss Wych, that's all 
 the difference,' said Reo quietly. ' Only I should never have 
 seen my little lady again in this life. 1 
 
 4 "Well, you have got to see her a great many times,' said the 
 girl, speaking fast because it was not easy to speak at all 'I 
 am coming to sing to you, and read to you, and do all sorts of 
 things.' And, with a smile like a stray sunbeam, she left 
 the room, and after a minute with Mrs. Reo, which straight- 
 way made her over ' as good as two,' Hazel flitted away up the 
 hill again as far as to Mr. Falkirk's cottage ; walking in through 
 the summer-open doors upon his tea and toast, without the 
 slightest warning. There, she was all right. It was delightful 
 to get the whip-hand for once! And so, privately enjoying 
 Gotham's dismay at her unannounced entrance, Wych Hazel 
 stood by her guardian's side with a face of grave reprehension. 
 
 4 Mr. Falkirk, I am really very much surprised at you ! ' 
 
 4 H'm I Not more than I am at myself, Miss Hazel. You are 
 not ahead of me there.' 
 
 4 Considering how much there is to do, sir, considering the 
 unsettled state of the neighbourhood, and my extremely unpro- 
 tected condition, that you should go dancing round among 
 loose branches without a partner, passes all my small wits ! ' 
 
 Mr. Falkirk glanced up at her, a glance of momentary fun 
 and recognition, though he was by no means in a sportive 
 mood 5 that was easy to see.
 
 BOUQUETS. 183 
 
 ' Will you sit down, Miss Hazel ? You must play guardian 
 now. Can your wits accomplish that ?' 
 
 ' Yes, sir, I thank you. Will you order me a sup and saucer, 
 Mr. Falkirk ? I have had no dinner, and could eat no lunch ; 
 and I know Gotham would see me starve before I had even a 
 crust without your permission.' 
 
 ' I'm sure, Miss 'Azel ! Mr. Falkirk knows 1 began Gotham. 
 
 ' What have you got, Gotham ? anything in the house ? Be 
 off, and get all there is and be quick about it.' 
 
 * Oh, I do not want much, sir, just a slight supplement to 
 the pleasure of seeing you,' said Hazel, with her gay laugh. 
 ' Mr. Falkirk, don't you think it would be very nice to have 
 Mrs. Saddler dust up that little bit of a brown corner room for 
 me ? And then I could stay here with you all the time, and 
 we would take splendid care of each other.' 
 
 ' There's nothing there but a little brown room, my dear.' 
 ' I do not care, sir. Mrs. Saddler must have a spare blanket 
 among her stores. And I would leave word up yonder that I 
 had unexpectedly gone away for a time. And it would be fun,' 
 said Miss Hazel decidedly, ' besides the other advantages.' 
 
 ' What will happen to all the princes who are coming after 
 the princess ?' 
 
 * They will learn self-control,' said Miss Hazel. ' I have 
 been told lately that it is a good thing.' 
 
 'Not formerly?' 
 
 ' The last time made the most impression, sir, as last times 
 are apt to do.' 
 
 ' Miss Hazel, I have a request to make to you,' Mr. Falkirk 
 said, after allowing a minute or two of silence to succeed the 
 last remark. 
 
 ' What, sir ? That I will not sing so loud in the little brown 
 room as to disturb your repose ? I can promise that? 
 
 ' You have not got your horses yet.' 
 
 ' No, sir. I am sure I ought to know so much,' said the girl, 
 with a sigh. 
 
 ' Rollo will see to it. You forget, my dear, we have been 
 but a few days here. Miss Hazel, do you remember the story 
 of the enchanted horse in the Arabian Nights ?'
 
 184: mrcH HAZEL. 
 
 * WitR great clearness, sir. In everything but bis appear- 
 ance, it was just the horse I should like.' 
 
 ' Just the horse I am afraid of. The cavalier turned a screw, 
 and the lady was gone. I request that you will mount nobody's 
 steed not even your own without consulting me first, that I 
 may make sure all is safe. It is still more true than it was the 
 other night, that I require your co-operation to discharge my 
 trust.' 
 
 ' Why, of course I should consult you, sir !' she said, with 
 some surprise. 
 
 ' That is all, Miss HazeL Rollo will give his oversight to the 
 woods. Only don't engage yourself to anybody for a ride till 
 you have consulted me. Do you agree to that form of pre- 
 caution-taking?' 
 
 1 Certainly, sir. I am sure I referred Mr. Morton to you at 
 once,' said Miss Hazel, drinking her tea. And Mr. Falkirk, in 
 a silence that was meditative if not gloomy, lay and watched 
 her. It was a little book room where they were ; perhaps the 
 largest on that floor, however ; a man's room ; the walls all 
 books and maps, with deer horns, a small telescope and pistols, 
 for a few of its varieties. Yet it was cheerful too, and in 
 perfect order ; and Mr. Falkirk was lying on a comfortable 
 chintz couch. Papers and writing materials and books had been 
 displaced from one end of the table for Hazel's tea. That 
 over, the young lady brought a foot-cushion to the side of Mr. 
 Falkirk's couch, and established herself there, much refreshed. 
 
 ' It is great fun to come to tea with you, sir ! Now, may I 
 go on with business, or are you too tired ?' 
 
 'Suppose I say I am too tired,' growled Mr. Falkirk, ' what 
 will you do ?' 
 
 Hazel glanced up at him from under her eyelashes. 
 
 ' Wait, sir. I am learning to wait beautifully !' she answered, 
 with great demureness. 'Then suppose I go and tell Mrs. 
 Saddler about my room ?' 
 
 ' Go along,' said Mr. Falkirk. ' Give your orders. You had 
 better send up to the house for some furniture. You'll make 
 Mrs. Saddler happy, at any rate. I am not so sure about 
 Gotham. But Gotham has too easy a life in general.'
 
 BOUQUETS 185 
 
 They had a lively time of it in the other part of the house 
 for the next half day. And so had Mr. Falkirk in his, for that 
 matter ; the sweet voice and laugh and song somehow pene- 
 trated to his study as grosser sounds might have failed to do. 
 It was towards tea-time again when Wych Hazel presented 
 herself in the study on the tips of her toes, and, subsiding once 
 more to her cushion, glanced up as before at Mr. Falkirk. 
 
 ' Has the fatigue of yesterday gone off, sir ?' 
 
 ' No ; but I see the business has come. Can you be comfort- 
 able in your mousehole ? Let us have the business, my dear. 
 If it is knotty, perhaps it will make me forget my ankle.' 
 
 'Ah !' she said remorsefully, ' I was talking of fatigue, sir 
 not of pain. Is the pain very bad ?' 
 
 ' No, my dear ; but I was always inclined to the epicurean 
 side of philosophy, and partial to anodynes, or even counter- 
 irritants.' 
 
 ' Whose bandage have you got on ?' she said curiously. 
 
 * Whose ? My own.' 
 
 ' Dear sir, I do not mean as to the linen ! Mr. Rollo was 
 joming down to teach Gotham, and I wondered which of them 
 took a lesson. That is all.' 
 
 * H'm ! Ask Gotham,' said Mr. Falkirk. 
 
 ' I wish I had been here to see,' said Wych Hazel. ' Never 
 mind, I will next time. By the way, sir, did you leave any 
 orders for me yesterday morning with anybody?' 
 
 * What do you mean, my dear ?' said her guardian, rather 
 opening his eyes. It is to be noted that though he growled 
 and frowned as much as ever, there had come into Mr. 
 Falkirk's mien an undoubted softening of expression since 
 yesterday. 
 
 ,' I merely asked, sir. But now for business. Mrs. Powder 
 is to have a grand explosion in the way of a dinner party next 
 week, and she wants me to come and help touch off the fire- 
 works. May I go ?' 
 
 ' What did you tell her?' 
 
 4 That I would if you would, sir.' 
 
 'Is this the business?' 
 
 ' Item the first, sir.'
 
 186 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 4 "Well, my dear, anything conditional upon my movements 
 for some time to come will probably have to be vetoed. But 
 you will have offers of a substitute.' 
 
 4 The Marylands are going, sir.' 
 
 4 Of course.' 
 
 'Well, Mr. Falkirk, suppose substitutes do offer, what 
 then?' 
 
 4 Then you will follow your pleasure, Miss Hazel.' 
 
 4 Thank you, sir. The next item seems to be a mild form of 
 this, a little evening party at Mrs. General Merrick's. And Mrs. 
 Merrick, hearing of your accident, sent a note to say that Miss 
 Bird would convey me to Merricksdale, safe and in good order.' 
 
 4 Who is Miss Bird ?' 
 
 4 Don't you remember, sir ? She came to see me the same 
 morning the Lasalle party came.' 
 
 ' There are a great many Birds,' said Mr. Falkirk grumpily, 
 4 and they are not all pigeons.' 
 
 4 But, my dear Mr. Falkirk, however important such natural 
 history facts may be, they do not exactly meet the case in 
 hand.' 
 
 4 1 don't know whether they meet it or no. Can't you go 
 with Miss Maryland ?' 
 
 4 Not invited, sir.' 
 
 4 How would you get back ?' 
 
 4 Mrs. Merrick takes charge of that.' 
 
 4 And didn't think it necessary to inform you how or when ?' 
 
 4 It is only a small party, sir. I should expect to be back 
 early.' 
 
 4 That needs to be made certain, Miss Hazel, and stipulated 
 for.' 
 
 4 Well, sir, you shall name the hour.' 
 
 4 Name it yourself ; but be home by half -past eleven. Miss 
 Hazel, I wish, till you have your own horses, you would not go 
 to such places.' 
 
 There was a shade of disappointment in her face, but she 
 answered steadily 
 
 ' I will not go, sir, if that is really your wish.' 
 
 4 My dear, we must meet the enemy. In the progress of
 
 BOUQUETS. 187 
 
 ladies seeking their fortune, that ia always understood. What 
 next?' 
 
 She hesitated a moment, carefully dressing the petals of a 
 carnation in her hand. 
 
 4 The third item, sir, is that if to-morrow afternoon I will 
 consent to put my little foot,' said Miss Hazel, evidently 
 mastering a laugh, 'inside the right phaeton Mr. May will 
 consent to drive.' 
 
 ' Mr. May ! Confound his impudence !' was the by no means 
 doubtful utterance of Miss Hazel's guardian. 
 
 Hazel bit her lips, and sat demurely waiting further develop- 
 ments. 
 
 ' Chickaree is in a very exposed situation, Miss Hazel !' Mr. 
 Falkirk remarked, with something a little like a sigh ; while, 
 as if to give effect to his words, two well-mounted horsemen at 
 that moment went up the hill, exchanging greetings with the 
 occupants of a landau that was just then making the descent. 
 Wych Hazel looked and laughed. 
 
 ' It is very comical 1' she said. But her guardian was silent. 
 He knew the Enchanted ground had to be met and passed. 
 Perhaps he wished it were well over ; but I think the present 
 feeling of discontent relieved itself not even so far. 
 
 'And on the whole your three answers are, sir?' "said 
 Hazel, after a pause. 
 
 ' In your head,' Mr. Falkirk growled. ' You know what they 
 are.' 
 
 ' My dear sir ! one would think they were in your foot 1' 
 
 But then she was silent ; and then she began to sing one 
 thing and another, after her own fitful fashion, in the twilight, 
 and business did not come up again. Only, as she went to 
 sleep that night, Miss Kennedy indulged in one profound re- 
 flection. 
 
 'No,' she said to herself, 'Dr. Maryland was right, Prim- 
 rose would never do. Get her in a corner, and the most she 
 can say is, " Duke knows." ' 
 
 So drew on the night of Mrs. Merrick's party ; and mean- 
 time a rainy day or two saved Mr. Falkirk some trouble, and 
 left the cottage in comparative quiet. But as the night itself
 
 188 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 drew near, the clouds cleared away and the sun shone out, 
 and fairer weather could not have been wished for, or wished 
 away. 
 
 There had been a running fire of errands and messages be- 
 tween the cottage and the house on the hill all day. Miss 
 Kennedy was constantly finding out something more that she 
 wanted for the evening ; and Dingee went back and forth with 
 notes to Mrs. Bywank, and waterproof-covered baskets in 
 return, till Gotham at least lost patience. 
 
 'More duds for Miss 'Azel!' he said, in displeasure, as 
 Dingee appeared just at nightfall with a final basket. ' It's 
 clean ridikerlous ! One dress at a time ought to content any 
 young lady I* 
 
 4 Now I jes' tell you what, Mas' Gotham,' said Dingee, 'you 
 ain't up to de situation. Tears like de whole countryside after 
 my young mistis !' 
 
 Gotham gave a grunt, in unsuccessful imitation of his master's 
 growl. 
 
 ' H'after 'er !' he said, ' Looks more as if she was h'after 
 them, wanting fourteen dresses at once !' 
 
 Dingee showed his teeth from ear to ear. 
 
 ' You bery wise man, Mas' Gotham ! ' he said. ' 'Spect now 
 you can tell a feller all about dese yere.' And Dingee threw 
 off the white paper which covered what he carried this time, 
 and displayed to Gotham's astonished eyes a basket full of 
 bouquets. 
 
 ' 'Spect now dese yere growed in Missee Hazel's own green- 
 house,' he said tauntingly, 'seein' she ain't got none? 
 Shouldn't wonder if dey started up spontanous like, arter de 
 shower. How you tink, Mas' Gotham, hey?' 
 
 But Gotham was virtuously indignant. 
 
 'Miss 'Azel '11 get her head worse turned than it h'is now,' 
 he said. 
 
 'Heads does turn, fact!' said Dingee, shaking his own. 
 ' Jes' you watch 'em when de horseback gen'lemen dey goes by, 
 Mas' Gotham, and you'll see de heads turn.' 
 
 But Gotham had watched enough already to know there was 
 no mistake about that.
 
 BOUQUETS. 189 
 
 'Well,' he said, 'since h'it's 'ere, h'it's 'ere, and '11 'ave to 
 stay, no doubt. I'll take it to the library.' 
 
 ' Cotch him first ! ' said Dingee, moving a little out of reach. 
 ' Where Missee Hazel ? ' 
 
 ' Prinking 'erself h'up,' answered Gotham severely. 
 
 'Gotham telling fibs!' said the young lady in question, 
 coming up behind him with her light tread. ' Perhaps he had 
 better take himself to the library, and report to Mr. Falkirk. 
 What do you want of me, Dingee ? I thought everything was 
 here.' 
 
 Dingee had adroitly covered his basket again ; but now he 
 drew near and displayed his treasures, adding messages of a 
 somewhat adorned nature, -while Wych Hazel read the cards 
 attached to the bouquets. Gotham, standing a little off, looked 
 on indignant as before, and frowned at the flowers and the 
 flushing cheeks drooped over them, as if he had been Mr. 
 Falkirk himself. But when Hazel caught up the basket and 
 ran off to her little corner room, then Gotham did betake him- 
 self to the library, though with not quite the report suggested. 
 
 ' Beg pardon, sir,' he said ; ' Miss 'Azel 'ave just received a 
 bushel of flowers, sir, if you choose to be h'aware, sir.' 
 
 ' A what, Gotham? ' said the astonished Mr. Falkirk. 
 
 ' No person of discretion to detain them at the 'ouse, sir, and 
 so of course they followed Miss 'Azel down 'ere, sir. Bouquets 
 enough to last a h'ordinary person all summer, sir ; and cards 
 and ribands,' concluded Gotham, beginning to clear the table 
 for tea. 
 
 'Look here, Gotham,' said Mr. Falkirk from his sofa, 
 whence his eyes followed his serving-man about. 
 
 ' Yes, sir ! ' said Gotham, erect and motionless. 
 
 'Do you dare to speak of Miss Hazel as an ordinary person?' 
 
 ' Why, no, sir ; by no means. Very h' extraordinary, I 
 thought I said, sir, or h'indicated,' replied Gotham, going 
 back to his leisurely motions about the table. 
 
 ' Have the goodness to remember that it is proper her flowers 
 should be extraordinary.' 
 
 ' Oh, you are clearing the table,' Hazel said, flitting in, 
 ' just what I wanted tea early.'
 
 190 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 ' Tea never h'is late, Miss 'Azel,' said Gotham in an aggrieved 
 voice. 
 
 ' I didn't know but it might be to-night,' said the girl pro- 
 vokingly. ' But, dear Mr. Falkirk, do you really like to have 
 your books disturbed so often, just for me ? ' 
 
 4 My dear,' said Mr. Falkirk rather lazily, brushing one hand 
 over his forehead, 'you have done that for my life gene- 
 rally.' 
 
 ' My dear Mr. Falkirk ! evidently I have just come in time 
 to receive a shot meant for somebody else. I wonder you 
 allow yourself to fire at random, sir, in that way !' 
 
 'Who has been sending you flowers, Miss Hazel?' her 
 guardian asked, without change of tone. 
 
 She kughed. 
 
 ' Shall I leave you the cards, sir, just to pass away the time 
 while I am gone ? ' 
 
 ' I'll take them now, Miss Hazel, if you please.' Mr. Falkirk 
 stretched out his hand. 
 
 ' They are not so precious as to be carried in my pocket, sir. 
 Do you want them before tea ? ' 
 
 ' If you please, Miss Hazel.' 
 
 ' I don't please a bit, sir. I am in a great hurry to go to my 
 dressing. And you know, Mr. Falkirk, you seldom try for 
 " the soul of wit" on such occasions.' 
 
 ' Does that mean you refuse me the sight of them ?' 
 
 'No, sir ! " by no means ! " to quote Gotham,' said Wych 
 Hazel, jumping up. She came back and laid the cards in his 
 hand, quite a packet of them. Mr Falkirk found names that 
 he knew, and names that he did not. He turned them over, 
 speaking some of the names in an inexpressive sotto voce, and 
 then began doubling them up, one after the other, and letting 
 them fall on the floor beside him. 
 
 ' Have you got a copy of the Arabian Nights in your library, 
 my dear ? ' he asked. ' I wish you would send for it. I am 
 not posted. I have an indistinct impression of a fight between 
 two rival powers, in which, after a variety of transformations, 
 the one of them, in the shape of a kernel of corn, was swallowed 
 by the other in some appropriate shape. I should like to study
 
 BOUQUETS. 191 
 
 the tactics, watch my opportunity, and make an end of these 
 gentry.' Mr. Falkirk dropped the last card as he spoke. 
 
 4 Ha ! ha 1 ' laughed Wych Hazel in her soft notes. ' You 
 will feel better, sir, when you have had a cup of tea.' And she 
 began preparing it at once. Whether or not Mr. Falkirk felt 
 better he did not say. 
 
 The girl went off to her dressing. And just before the hour 
 when Miss Bird must arrive, she came silently in again, and 
 stood before her guardian. If Mr. Falkirk thought of humming- 
 birds then, it could only have been of the tropical specie's. A 
 dark dress, that shimmered and glittered and fell into shadows 
 with every motion, first caught his eye ; but then Mr. Falkirk 
 saw that it was looped with bouquets. Now, either Miss Hazel's 
 admirers had different tastes, or a different image of her, or 
 else each sent what he could get, for the bouquets were 
 extremely diverse. A bunch of heath and myrtle held up the 
 dress here, a cluster of crimson roses held it back there ; 
 another cluster of gold and buff, a trailing handful of glowing 
 fuchsias. There is no need to go through the list. But she had 
 arranged them with great skill to set each other off, tied 
 together by their own ribands, catching up the shimmer of 
 her dress. 
 
 Mr. Falkirk looked, and the fact that his face expressed 
 nothing at all was rather significant. One glance at the girl's 
 face he gave, and turned away. 
 
 ' Take care, my dear,' he said. 
 
 'Of what, sir?' 
 
 ' How do you know but those flowers are bewitched ? You 
 would not be the first woman who had put on her own chains.' 
 
 She smiled, rather to herself than him, throwing her little 
 white cloak over her shoulders ; and then, girl-like, went down 
 on one knee and kissed her guardian's hand. 
 
 ' Good night, sir,' she said. The carriage came, and she was 
 gone.
 
 CHAPTER XXL 
 
 MOONSHINE. 
 
 AFTER the day of rain, and the afternoon of clearing wind and 
 clouds, the evening of Mrs. Merrick's party passed into one of 
 those strange, unearthly nights when the whole world seems 
 resolved into moonlight and a midsummer night's dream. So, 
 while gas and hothouse flowers had it all their own way in the 
 house at Merricksdale, over the rest of the outside world the 
 wondrous moonlight reigned supreme, not white and silvery, 
 but as it were gilded and mellowed with the summer warmth. 
 Step by step it invaded the opening ranks of forest trees, and 
 dark shadows wound noiselessly away from the close pursuit. 
 Not a wind whispered ; not a moving thing was hi sight along 
 the open road. Except indeed Mr. Rollo, who not invited to 
 Mrs. Merrick's and just returned from a short journey was 
 getting over the ground that lay between the railway station 
 and home on foot. And his way took him along the highway 
 that stretched from Crocus to the gates of Chickaree. 
 
 Now moonlight is a very bewildering thing, and thoughts 
 do sometimes play the very will-o'-the-wisp with one. And 
 when somebody you know is at a party, there is a funny 
 inclination to go through the motions at least, and be up as 
 late as anybody else. So it was with a somewhat sudden recol- 
 lection that Mr. Rollo bethought him of what his watch might 
 say. Just then he was in a belt of shadow, where trees 
 crowded out the moon ; but the next sharp turn of the road 
 was all open and flooded with the yellow light. 
 
 It would be quite too much to suppose that the gentleman 
 in question was particularly open to impressions; and it ia
 
 MOONSHINE. 193 
 
 certain that his thoughts at that minute were well wrapped up 
 in their own affairs ; and yet as he went round the turn, passing 
 out of the line of shadow into absolute moonshine again, there 
 came upon him a strange sense of some presence there besides 
 his own. But what the evidence was, whether it had smote 
 upon his eye or upon his ear, of that Mr. Eollo was profoundly 
 ignorant. Yet it is safe to say that he came out of his musings 
 and looked about him. Only a midsummer night's dream still : 
 the open road for a mile ahead in full view, the dark line of 
 trees on each side as motionless as if asleep. But the utter 
 hush was perhaps more suggestive than the stir of a breezy 
 night ; it seemed as if everything was listening and held its 
 breath to hear. 
 
 The gentleman in question, hewever, was not one to let slip 
 such a suggestion to his nerves or his senses. His nerves 
 were of the coolest and steadiest kind: he could depend on 
 them for getting up no shams to puzzle him ; and his senses had 
 had capital training. Eye and ear were keen almost as those 
 of some of the wild creatures whose dependence they are ; and 
 JRollo had the craft and skill of a practised hunter. So, instead 
 of dismissing the fancy that had struck him, as most men would, 
 he fell noiselessly into the shadow again, with eyes and ears 
 alive on the instant to take evidence that might be relied on. 
 But nothing stirred. Nothing showed. Except as before, the 
 yellow moonlight and the dark trees. Rollo was a hunter t 
 and patient. He stood still. The shadowy edges of the stream 
 of light changed slowly, slightly, and still the evidence he 
 looked for did not come. Nothing seemed to change but those 
 dark fringes ; only now some wave of the branches as the wind 
 began to rise let in the moonlight for a moment upon a small 
 white speck across the road. He thought so ; something 
 whiter than a wet stone or a bleached stick, or it might be 
 fancy. Noiselessly and almost invisibly, for Dane could move 
 like an Indian, and with such quickness, he was over the road 
 and at the spot. There was no mistaking the token, it was 
 a little glove of Wych Hazel's. Evidently dropped in haste ; 
 for one of her well-known jewelled fastenings lay glittering in 
 his hand. But Mrs. General Merrick lived quite in another 
 K
 
 194 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 quarter of the world ; and in no case did the direct road from 
 Merricksdale lead by here. 
 
 If Rollo's senses had been alive before, which was but their 
 OBdinary and "normal condition, he was now in the frame of 
 mind of a Sioux on the war path, and in corresponding alert- 
 ness and acuteness of every faculty. The little glove was 
 swiftly put where it would furnish a spot of light to no one 
 else ; and in breathless readiness for action, though that is 
 rhetorical, for Rollo's breath was as regular and as calm as 
 cool nerves could make it, he subsided again into the utter 
 inaction which is all eye and ear. And then in a few minutes, 
 from across the road again, and near where he was at first, came 
 these soft words 
 
 Mr. Kollo will you give quarter if I surrender at dis- 
 cretion ? Just to save you trouble, and let me get home the 
 quicker.' 
 
 In the next instant the gentleman stood by the lady's side. 
 Well for him that he was a hunter, and that habit is a great 
 thing, for he made no exclamations and showed no disturbance, 
 though Wych Hazel in the woods at that time of night was a 
 thing to try most people's command of words, at least. Only 
 in the spring which brought him across the road he had spoken 
 the one word ' Hazel ! ' louder than an Indian would have done. 
 Then he stood beside her. Wych Hazel herself, bareheaded, 
 without gloves, her little white evening cloak not around her 
 shoulders, but rolled up into the smallest possible compass, and 
 held down by her side. She had been standing in the deepest 
 depth of shadow under a low drooping hemlock, and now came 
 out to meet him. But she seemed to have no more words to 
 give. That something had happened was very clear. Rollo's 
 first move was to take the girl's hand, and the second to inquire 
 in a low voice how she came there. The hand-touch was nob 
 in compliment, but such a taking-possession clasp as Hazel had 
 felt from it before ; one that carried, as a hand-clasp can, its 
 guaranty of protection, guidance, defence. 
 
 Hazel did not answer at first ; only there went a shiver over 
 her from head to foot, and her hand was as cold as ice. 
 
 ' I am very glad to find you, Mr. Rollo,' she said in a sort of
 
 MOONSHINE. 195 
 
 measured voice. He could not tell what was in it. ' Will you 
 walk home with me ? ' 
 
 Hollo's answer was not in a hurry. He first took from Wych 
 Hazel her little bundle of the opera cloak, shook it out, and 
 put it round her shoulders, drawing the fastening button at 
 the throat ; then, taking the little cold hand in his clasp again, 
 and with the other arm lingering lightly round her shoulders, 
 he asked her what had happened. 
 
 People are different, as has been remarked. There was 
 nobody in the world that could have put the question to Wych 
 Hazel as he put it ; and afterwards she could recognise that. 
 Mr. Falkirk's words would have been more anxious ; Dr. 
 Maryland's would have been more astonished ; and any one of 
 Miss Hazel's admirers would have made speeches of surprise 
 and sympathy and offered service. Rollo's was a business 
 question, albeit in its somewhat curt accentuation there lurked 
 a certain readiness for action ; and there was besides, though 
 indefinably expressed, the assumption of a right to know and 
 a very intimate personal concern in the answer. How his eyes 
 were looking at her, the moonlight did not serve to show ; 
 they were in shadow ; yet even that was not quite hid from 
 the object of them ; and the arm that was round her was there, 
 not in freedom-taking, but with the unmistakeable expression 
 of shelter. So he stood and asked her what had happened. 
 
 ' Thank you,' she said, in the same measured tone. ' I am 
 not cold I think. But it is safe now. Will you walk home 
 very fast, please? I promised Mr. Falkirk that I would be 
 home by eleven.' There was an accent of real distress then. 
 
 ' Do you know what o'clock it is now ? ' said Kollo, drawing 
 out his watch. 
 
 ' I hoped a while ago it was near morning.' 
 
 He did not say what time it was. He put the little hand on 
 his arm, guided Hazel into the road, and began his walk home- 
 ward, but with a measured, quiet pace, not ' very fast.' 
 
 ' Why did you wish it was morning ? ' he asked, in the same 
 way in which he had spoken before. No haste in it ; calm 
 business and self-possession, along with the other indications 
 above mentioned. It was cool, but it was the coolness of a
 
 196 WTCH HAZEL. 
 
 man intensely alive to the work in hand ; the intonation 
 towards Wych Hazel very gentle. 
 
 1 1 thought I had to walk home alone,' she said simply ; ' and 
 I wanted the time to come.' 
 
 ' Please tell me the meaning of all this. You went to Mer- 
 ricksdale this evening last evening ? ' 
 
 ' Yes.' Words did not come readily. 
 
 Rollo added no more questions then. He went steadily on, 
 keeping a gentle pace that Wych Hazel could easily bear, until 
 they came to the long, grey stone house where she had once 
 run in from the storm. At the gate Rollo paused and opened 
 it, leading his companion up to the door. 
 
 ' I am going to take you in here for a little while,' he said. 
 ' We will disturb nobody don't fear ; I have a key. 1 
 
 ' In here ? ' she said, rousing up then. ' Oh, no ! I must go 
 home, Mr. Rollo. Did you bring me this way? I did not 
 notice.' 
 
 ' You shall go home just as soon as possible,' he said ; ' but 
 come in here, and I will tell you my reasons for stopping.' 
 
 The door opened noiselessly. The moonlight showed the 
 way, shining in through the fanlights ; and Rollo pushed open 
 the door of the library and brought his charge in there. The 
 next thing was to strike a match and light two candles. The 
 room looked very peaceful, just as it had been deserted by 
 the family a few hours before. Rosy's work-basket, with the 
 work overflowing it ; the books and papers on the table where 
 the gentleman had been sitting; the chairs standing where 
 they had been last used. Past the chairs Rollo brought Wych 
 Hazel to the chintz sofa, and seated her there with a cushion 
 at her back ; drew up a foot cushion, and unfastened her opera 
 cloak. All this was done with quiet movements, and in silence. 
 He left her then for a few minutes. Coming back, presented 
 her on a little tray a glass of milk and a plate of rusks. 
 
 1 1 could get nothing else,' said he, ' without rousing the 
 people up to give me keys. But I know the way to Prim's 
 dairy, and I know which are the right pans to go to. Miss 
 Prudentia always objected to that in me.' 
 
 ' But I cannot see anybody, nor speak to anybody, nor do
 
 MOONSHINE. 197 
 
 anything, till I have seen Mr. Falkirk,' said Hazel, looking up 
 at him with her tired eyes. ' Indeed I am not hungry.' 
 
 He stood before her, and bade her ' drink a little milk ; it 
 was good.' 
 
 Her brows drew together slightly; but if that was the 
 quickest way, she would take that ! and so half emptied the 
 tumbler, and set it down again. 
 
 ' Now let us go.' 
 
 He sat down before her then. 
 
 ' Is there anything in what has happened to-night which 
 makes you wish to keep it from the rest of the world except, 
 of course, Mr. Falkirk and me ? ' 
 
 If his object was to rouse her from the mechanical way in 
 which she had hitherto moved and spoken, success is rarely 
 more perfect. Crimson and scarlet and all shades of colour 
 went over her face and neck at the possible implication hi his 
 words ; but she drew herself up with a world of girlish dignity, 
 and then the brown eyes looked straight into his. 
 
 ' It is nobody's business,' she answered. 'So far no 
 farther.' 
 
 He smiled. ' You mistake ine,' he said very pleasantly. 
 ' That is my awkwardness. It is nobody's business except 
 Mr. Falkirk's and mine. But you know very well that fact is 
 no bar to people's tongues. And sometimes one does not 
 choose to give them the material ; and sometimes one does not 
 care. My question meant only Do you care in this instance ? 
 and was a practical question.' 
 
 ' What do you mean ? ' she said quickly. ' Say out all that 
 is in your mind. How can I judge of it by inches ? ' 
 
 ' You have not enlightened me,' he said, ' and I can judge of 
 nothing. Do you wish to get home without letting anybody 
 know you have been out ? or may I call Primrose down and 
 give you into her hands to be taken care of? Surely you 
 know my other question referred not to anything but the im- 
 pertinence of the world generally.' 
 
 ' Oh, I will go home 1 ' she said, rising up. c I cannot see 
 anybody. And Mr. Falkirk ! He might send for me ! ' 
 
 ' Mr. Falkirk is fast asleep,' said Rollo. ' He will have con-
 
 198 WTCH HAZEL. 
 
 eluded that you were kept at Mrs. Merrick's. Sit down again 
 and rest,' he said gently, putting her back on the cushions 
 (he had risen when she rose) ; ' we are not ready to go quite 
 yet. You must take breath first. And we must not rouse up 
 Chickaree at this hour. If you were known to have stayed 
 with Miss Maryland, would not that be the best way ? ' 
 
 4 How is one to know the best, where all are bad?' Hazel 
 rested her head in her hands, and sat thinking. 
 
 ' No,' said he quietly ' we'll try and not have that true. If 
 you could trust me with the story of the evening, I might be 
 able to judge and act better for you.' 
 
 4 Did you bring me here that I might not get home at such 
 an hour ? ' she said suddenly, looking up. 
 
 4 1 promised to tell you my reasons. Yes, that was one of 
 them. The people at Chickaree must not know of your coming 
 home in the middle of the night, on foot. If I take you home 
 at a fair hour in the morning, it will be all right. Not on 
 foot,' said he, smiling. He was so composed and collected, 
 that his manner had everything in it to soothe and reassure 
 her. Not the composure of one who does not care, but of one 
 who will take care. 
 
 4 And Mr. Falkirk would say the same.' She spoke as if 
 reasoning the matter out with herself. ' Then I must wait. 
 But do not call anybody. Mayn't I sit here just quietly by 
 myself?' 
 
 4 Suppose you take possession of one of Prim's spare rooms, 
 and astonish the family at breakfast? All you need say is 
 that you came after they were all gone to their rooms. Dr. 
 Maryland will never seek for a reason ; and Prim will never 
 ask for one. But if you prefer it, I will take you home before 
 they are up.' 
 
 ' Just as you please,' she answered wearily ; indeed, weari- 
 ness was fast getting the upper hand. 4 You must want rest, 
 I should think. What were you doing there ? ' she asked, with 
 her former suddenness. 4 Were you looking for me ? Did you 
 know where I was not? ' 
 
 4 No,' he said, smiling again. 4 1 had been to Troy to look at 
 some horses about which I had been in correspondence, and,
 
 MOONSHINE. 199 
 
 wishing to be here to-morrow, that is, to-day, it pleased me 
 to take a night train which set me down at Henderson, no 
 nearer. I was walking across country to get home. And I 
 feel as if I never should be " tired " again. Come you can 
 have some time of rest, at least ; and I will carry you home 
 before or after breakfast, just as you please.' 
 
 Up-stairs with noiseless footfalls; andRollo, reminding Wych 
 Hazel which was Primrose's room, indicated another close by, 
 within which he said he believed she would find what she 
 wanted. That room was always kept in order for strangers, 
 and no strangers were in the house now. 
 
 ' Primrose will come to you in the morning,' he said, ' un- 
 less you wish to go before that.' 
 
 Wych Hazel turned and held out her hand. ' Thank you,' 
 she said. Then, in answer to his last words ' I shall be ready 
 for either.' 
 
 Wherein, however, Miss Kennedy made a mistake; for 
 having once put herself down on the fresh white bed, sleep 
 took undisputed possession and held it straight on. Neither 
 rousing bell nor breakfast bell roused her ; nor opening door 
 if any opened ; nor steps if any came. Sleep so profound, 
 that she never turned nor stirred, nor raised her cheek from the 
 hand where first she laid it down. And the sun was getting a 
 new view of the western slopes of the Chickaree woods before 
 the young mistress thereof sat up in her strange room and 
 looked about her. 
 
 * Well, you are awake at last ! ' cried Prim, bending to kiss 
 her. ' I am glad ! though I was glad to have you sleep, too. 
 How tired you were 1 ' 
 
 Wych Hazel passed her hands over her face ; but the next 
 move was to put her arms round Prim's neck, and for a moment 
 her head on Prim's shoulder. Then she sprang up, and hurriedly 
 shook her dress into some sort of order. 
 ' Oh, I have slept a great deal too long f she said. 
 4 Why ? No, you have slept just enough. Now, you would 
 like to change your dress ? There is a valise full of things from 
 home for you. And when you are ready, you shall have some 
 breakfast or dinner or tea, just which you like to call it'
 
 200 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 Primrose could not read the look and flush that greeted the 
 valise ; and indeed she needed an entire new dictionary for her 
 friend this day. When Hazel made her appearance down- 
 stairs, hat in hand, she had more things in her face than Prim 
 had ever met, even in dreams. Dr. Maryland was not there. 
 The table was spread in the library, where the afternoon light 
 poured in through its green veil ef branches and leaves ; and 
 Prim gave her*" guest a new greeting, as glad as if she had 
 given her none before. 
 
 'I'm sure of having you hungry now, Hazel!' she ex- 
 claimed. ' I didn't know what was best to give you ; but 
 Duke said coffee would be sure to be right.' 
 
 ' I wonder if you ever suggest anything which he does not 
 think is " sure to be right " ? ' said Wych Hazel. ' I wonder if 
 anybody down here ever makes a mistake of any sort? ' 
 
 ' Mistakes, oh, plenty 1 ' said Primrose. ' I do ; and I suppose 
 Duke does. I don't know about papa. Now, dear Hazel, 
 sit down. Duke will be here directly.' 
 
 And Primrose cut bread and poured out coffee, and supplied 
 her guest in a sort of passion of hospitality. 
 
 To say that the guest was as hungry as she should have been 
 after such a fast, would be perhaps too much ; last night was 
 still too fresh for that. But seventeen has great restorative 
 powers at command, and Prim's coffee was undeniably good. 
 Hazel grew more like herself as the meal went on, though her 
 eyes kept their tired look, and her manner was a trifle ab- 
 stracted. But Prim asked no questions, only hovered about 
 her with all sorts of affectionate words and ways, till Eollo 
 came in. He sat down, and began to make himself generally 
 useful, in his wonted manner. 
 
 * Duke,' said Primrose, ' Miss Kennedy has been asking me 
 if we ever make mistakes in this house 1' 
 
 . 'What did you tell her?' 
 
 * Why, you know what I told her. I am not sure about 
 papa ; but the rest of us don't boast of infallible wisdom.' 
 
 ' Do you mean that he does ? ' said Duke dryly. At which 
 Primrose laughed. ' Have you been asleep, Miss Hazel ? ' 
 ' Beyond reach of all earthly things. Have you ? '
 
 MOONSHINE. 201 
 
 Rollo remarked that he never got so far as that. 
 
 ' No,' said Primrose ; ' I never saw such a sleeper. He'll 
 be sound asleep, sound and fast, not dreaming nor stirring; 
 and if there comes the least little sound that there oughtn't to 
 be, he's up and broad awake and in possession of all his senses 
 in a minute.' 
 
 ' How do you know ? ' said the subject of this description. 
 
 1 1 know,' said Primrose. ' Thunder wouldn't waken him ; and 
 the turning of a key in a lock would, suppose it was a time or 
 place when the lock ought not to be turned.' 
 
 'Very interesting details!' said Rollo. 'They may be 
 useful in the study of psychology, or physiology. Which is 
 your favourite study, Miss Hazel?' 
 
 'Whichever will throw the most light upon this. Prim, 
 can he also detect " the least little sound that oughtn't to 
 be," when there is none at all?' said Hazel, thinking of last 
 night. 
 
 'No, he can't,' said Kollo, shaking his head. 'That's a 
 physiological question. But here is one in psychology : Can a 
 person be sensible of an unknown presence when yet there is 
 none ? ' 
 
 'Ah !' she said, drawing a long breath, and growing grave 
 all at once, ' I wish one might. It would have been a comfort.' 
 
 Well,' said he, ' I think I can resolve that question.' 
 
 ' Duke, what are you talking of ? You have got out of 
 philosophy into metaphysics,' said Prim. 
 
 ' She is the philosopher of the family,' said Rollo, by way of 
 explanation to Hazel. ' But she has made a mistake. As she 
 confesses she does make them, I may remark that.' 
 
 ' Why, you are talking of perceiving what does not exist ! ' 
 cried Prim. 
 
 'Is that what you call metaphysics? I should call it 
 nonsense.' 
 
 ' I never supposed you were talking nonsense, Duke.' 
 
 'No,' said Duke. 'That would be a mistake. No. I was 
 speaking, Prim, of the detection, by no visible or intelligible 
 means, of what we are not aware has existence.' 
 
 ' By no intelligible means,' said Prim. 'You mean, know-
 
 202 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 ing a person is coming, that you have not heard is coining, 
 and such things ?' 
 
 ' And knowing a person is near, who you had thought \\aa 
 very far off.' 
 
 4 Yes,' said Prim thoughtfully ; ' I know. It is very curious.' 
 
 ' Witches, for instance ? ' said Hazel, with perfect gravity. 
 
 * No,' said Prim earnestly ; ' I don't mean out-of-the-way 
 people at all ; though it is something " uncanny, " as it seems, 
 queer. I have heard of instances.' 
 
 1 1 have felt them,' said Rollo. 
 
 Primrose went into a brown study over the question. 
 
 ' But do you think,' Rollo went on gravely, addressing Wyuh 
 Hazel, ' that this sort of mental action can take place except 
 where there are strong sympathetic or other relations be- 
 tween the parties ? ' 
 
 ' So that the magnet finds out the iron, when, it would pass 
 by the lead, is that what you mean ? ' 
 
 A significant, quick, keen look ; and then Rollo said very 
 gravely 
 
 ' But it strikes me we have got the thing reversed. Is it not 
 rather the iron that finds the magnet?' 
 
 ' The magnet must be conscious too,' said Hazel. ' And I 
 think it moves, where the iron is in sufficient quantity.' 
 
 ' It would be a poor rule that wouldn't work both ways,' 
 said Rollo, with dry simplicity. 
 
 'What are you talking about?' said Primrose. 'Do give 
 Hazel some more raspberries. I am inclined to think this, 
 Duke.' 
 
 'Well?' 
 
 ' I am inclined to think that in those cases you have been 
 speaking of, there is testimony of the person's presence, only it 
 is in some such little slight things as were insufficient to draw 
 attention to themselves, and only, by natural association of 
 ideas, suggested the person.' 
 
 ' What do you think, Miss Hazel? ' 
 
 But she shook her head. 
 
 ' If you go off to people, I should say, sometimes, that 
 could not be.'
 
 MOONSHINE. 203 
 
 ' So should I,' said Rollo. 
 
 'Why?' said Primrose. 
 
 ' I cannot find in my consciousness, or memory, any corro- 
 boration of your theory.' 
 
 ' I think I can in mine. Sometimes, at least.' 
 
 ' Those are not my times,' said Rollo. 
 
 ' And I don't know but you are right, too,' said Primrose 
 musingly. ' I remember, that day you were coming home, I 
 had not the least reason to think so, and yet you were on my 
 mind all day.' 
 
 ' What is your explanation then?' said he, smiling at her. 
 
 Prim was not ready with it ; and before she was ready to 
 speak again, Wych Hazel was informed that her escort was at 
 her service. 
 
 Dr. Maryland's little old chaise was at the door. Rollo put 
 Miss Kennedy in it, and took the reins. It was late in the 
 sweet summer afternoon : the door and the road and the fields 
 looked exceedingly unlike the same things seen in shadow and 
 moonlight last night. Rollo never referred to that, however. 
 He was just as usual, took care that Wych Hazel was com- 
 fortably seated, and made careless little remarks in his wonted 
 manner. Various people passed them ; many were the greet- 
 ings, answered for the most part very sedately by the young 
 lady of Chickaree. But just as they entered the outskirts of 
 her own domain, Rollo felt his companion shrink towards him 
 with a sudden start. Then instantly she sat upright in her 
 place. Two or three horsemen were in sight, at different 
 distances ; one, the nearest, was a stranger to Rollo. A 
 remarkably handsome man, splendidly mounted, faultlessly 
 dressed, riding his grey with the easy grace of a true cavalier. 
 He uncovered before he was near enough to do more, and 
 then bent even to his saddle-bow before Miss Kennedy. And 
 to him, turning full upon him, did Miss Kennedy administer 
 the most complete, cool, effectual cut that Mr. Rollo had ever 
 seen bestowed. The rider's face turned crimson as he passed 
 on. 
 
 Rollo made no sort of remark ; drove gently, let the old horse 
 come to a walk ; and at last, throwing himself back into the
 
 204 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 corner of the chaise, so as to have a better look at his com- 
 panion, he said 
 
 ' Does daylight and rest make a difference, and are you in- 
 clined to trust me with the explanation of what happened last 
 night ? I should be grateful.' 
 
 He could see now with what extreme effort she had done 
 her work of execution, lip and chin were in a tremor. 
 
 ' It was no want of trust, Mr. Rollo. I meant you should 
 know. But I could not tell you first,' she said, rather 
 timidly. ' I thought perhaps you would take the trouble to 
 come in and hear me tell Mr. Falkirk.' 
 
 ' Thank you,' he said ; ' I am grateful.' And no more 
 passed on the subject until the chaise reached the cottage.
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 JUST glancing round at her companion to make sure that he 
 followed, taking off her hat as she went, Hazel passed swiftly 
 into the cottage and into Mr. Falkirk's study, to the foot of 
 his couch and there stood still. Very unlike the figure of 
 last evening, in the simplest pale summer dress, with no 
 adornment but her brown hair ; and yet, as Mr. Falkirk 
 looked, he thought he had never seen her look so lovely. She 
 was surely changing fast : the old girlish graces were taking to 
 themselves the richer and stronger graces of womanhood ; and 
 like those evening flowers that open and unfold and gather 
 sweetness if you but turn aside for a moment, so she seemed 
 to have altered, even since her guardian's last look. The 
 broad gipsy hanging from her hand, her long eyelashes 
 drooped, so she stood. Mr. Falkirk looked, and took the 
 effect of all this in a glance two seconds long, during which 
 something held his tongue. Then, as his eye caught the figure 
 that entered following her, it darted towards him a look of 
 sudden surprise and suspicion. That changed, however, almost 
 as soon, and his eyes came back to his ward. But there is no 
 doubt Mr. Falkirk scowled. 
 
 ' So, Miss Hazel,' he began, in his usual manner, ' you found 
 you could not manage other people's carriages last night?' 
 
 'Not the right ones, sir. Will you ask Mr. Rollo to sit 
 down, Mr. Falkirk? It is due to me that he should hear all 
 I have to say.' 
 
 ' It is not due to anybody that you should say it standing,' 
 said Rollo, wheeling up into convenient position the easiest 
 chair that the room contained. She made hirn a slight sign ol
 
 206 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 acknowledgment, but yielded only so far as to lay her hand 
 on the chair back. Probably it was pleasant to touch some- 
 thing. Rollo stepped back to the mantelpiece and stood there, 
 but not touching it or anything. 
 
 ' It appears to me, Miss Hazel,' said the recumbent master 
 of the house, ' that the invitation must come from you.' 
 
 ' I have not been invited myself, sir, yet.' 
 
 ' I do not recollect inviting you to be seated yesterday, my 
 dear. Is to-day different from yesterday ? ' 
 
 ' Unless I have forgotten the frown which welcomed me 
 then, sir. I suppose you have but a faint idea of the looming 
 up of your brows just now ? ' 
 
 What? ' said Mr. Falkirk. ' Don't you know, Miss Hazel, 
 a man's brows are not within his range of vision ? and I deny 
 that he is responsible for them. Am I frowning now ? ' 
 
 ' Not quite so portentously, sir.' 
 
 ' Then you need not stand so particularly, need you ? I 
 wonder, if I looked so fierce, how Rollo dared to offer you the 
 civility of a chair in my presence ; but people are different.' 
 
 ' But I cannot sit there,' said she, with a glance toward the 
 bringer of the chair as she passed by its reposeful depths. 
 ' Not now. If Mr. Rollo will make himself comfortable in his 
 own way, I will in mine.' And Hazel brought a foot-cushion 
 to the side of the couch, and sat down there, a little turned 
 away from the third member of the party, who, however, did 
 not change his position. 
 
 4 Is there business ? ' said Mr. Falkirk, glancing from one to 
 the other. 
 
 The girl gave him a swift glance of wonder. 
 
 ' You used to think it was business, sir, to know what 
 had become of me. Did you sleep well last night, Mr. 
 Falkirk?' 
 
 'Why should I, any more than you?' said Mr. Falkirk, in 
 his old fashion of growling. ' Day is the proper time for 
 Bleeping in the fashionable world.' 
 
 It made her restless, this keeping off the subject of which 
 her thoughts were full. Didn't he mean to ask her any ques- 
 tions?
 
 A REPORT. 207 
 
 'Why should not I have slept, sir, if you come to that? 
 The fashionable world was not to hold me beyond eleven.' 
 
 ' So I understood, and endeavoured to stipulate,' said Mr. 
 Falkirk. ' But I am told you were so late in returning that 
 you would not come home, and preferred, somewhat inex- 
 plicably, disturbing Miss Maryland to disturbing me.' 
 
 4 Is that what you think? ' she answered simply. ' That I 
 broke my word ? Mr. Falkirk, I began returning, as you say, 
 at a quarter-past eleven.' 
 
 ' I never expected you to get off before that, my dear. Then 
 what was the matter ? ' 
 
 The girl hesitated a moment, and then one of her witch- 
 looks flashed through in spite of everything. 
 
 ' I fell into Charybdis, sir, that was all.' 
 
 'I do not remember any such place between here and 
 Merricksdale,' said Mr. Falkirk. 'Was it enchantment, my 
 dear?' But his face was less careless than his words. Hers 
 grew grave again at once; and wasting no more time, Miss 
 Kennedy addressed herself to business. 
 
 'I had arranged it all with Miss Bird,' she said, 'on the 
 way there. She had a headache, and was glad of an excuse to 
 get away early. It was " a small party," I found, when you 
 were in the house and the rest were out of doors, but other- 
 wise everybody was there, and nearly everybody else. The 
 trees were all lights and flowers; and supper-tables stood 
 ready from the first ; and you know what the moon was. So, 
 altogether,' said Miss Hazel, ' it was hard to remember any- 
 thing about time, and especially to find out. I fancied that 
 Mrs. Merrick had told about my going early, watches seemed 
 so very uncertain, and so many of them had stopped at nine 
 o'clock. It was only by a chance overhearing that I knew 
 when it was half-past ten. I lost just a few minutes then, 
 manoeuvring, for I did not want " everybody " to see me to 
 the carriage; but when I had vanished into the house, and 
 found Mrs. Merrick, Miss Bird was not there. She had gone 
 home an hour before, her head being worse, they said.' 
 
 Mr. Falkirk said nothing, but his thick brows drew together 
 again.
 
 208 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 * Mrs. McmcK said it was not the least matter ; her coach- 
 man unfortunately was sick, but fifty people would be only 
 too happy. I said everybody but me wished to stay late. 
 " Oh no, not at all ! Here was Mr. May, going in five minutes, 
 with his sister. They would be delighted." I could not well 
 tell her, sir,' said Wych Hazel, with a look at her guardian, 
 ' all that occurred to me in the connection ; but I suppose I 
 negatived Mr. May in my face, for Mrs. Merrick went on 
 " Mr. Morton, then, the most luxurious coach in the county." 
 He, too, was going at once, if I did. Or, if I did not mind 
 the walk, her brother-in-law would take charge of me at any 
 moment, with pleasure.' 
 
 Certainly Mr. Falkirk outdid himself in scowling at this 
 point. 
 
 ' Well, I must get home somehow,' she said, with another 
 g'ance ; ' and the coach would never do, and the phaeton was 
 tabooed. But I knew Mrs. Merrick's sister was Mrs. Blake ; 
 and so, thinking of the old doctor, I said at once that I would 
 walk, and ran up-stairs for my cloak. And then I found out,' 
 said Wych Hazel slowly, ' that there are two sorts of brothers- 
 in-law.' 
 
 Nobody interrupted her, nor spoke when she paused. The 
 little room was very still, except from the movements the girl 
 made herself. 
 
 4 This was the wrong one. Not -old Dr. Blake at all, but a 
 younger brother of General Merrick. What could I do ? ' she 
 said, with a half-appealing look, that went for a second further 
 than her guardian. ' Already my promise was in peril ; and 
 there was Mr. Morton beseeching me into his coach, and I 
 could not get up a fuss ! ' 
 
 It was very pretty and characteristic, the unconscious way in 
 which she brought in and left out the third one in the room. 
 Sometimes forgetting everybody but her guardian, and giving 
 him details that were plainly meant for his ears alone ; then, 
 with a sudden blush and stop, remembering that there was 
 another listener standing by. On such occasions she would 
 generally turn her face a little more away and out of sight, 
 and then begin again in a tone that meant to keep clear of all
 
 A REPORT. 209 
 
 further special confidences in that direction. The third 
 member of the party stood perfectly still, and made no remark 
 whatever. 
 
 ' Well? ' said Mr. Falkirk, with rather a short breath, as the 
 
 ' There was nothing left for me but the walk, unless a fuss, 
 and a half-dozen more standing round. Then Mr. Morton said 
 he should walk too, at least as far as the cross-road, and let 
 the carriage follow at a foot-pace, in case I should turn weary. 
 If he had been half as anxious about my weariness as he pro- 
 fessed,' said the girl, with a curl of her lips, ' he would have 
 tried how fast his horses could go for once", with him behind 
 them. But I could not tell him that any plainer than I did.' 
 
 ' You tried to make him drive on and leave you? ' said Mr. 
 Falkirk. 
 
 ' I tried to make him let me alone, sir,' said the girl, flush- 
 ing. ' As to the way, I think I made no suggestions. So we 
 walked on, and Mr. Morton made himself exceedingly dis- 
 agreeable.' 
 
 ' Too officious ? Or too presumptuous ? He's an ass ! ' said 
 Mr. Falkirk, who was plainly getting restive. 'Which, 
 Hazel?' 
 
 ' Unbearable, I called it, sir. I was in no mood for nice 
 definitions. And I couldn't have been tired then, if we had 
 walked through the moonlight straight on to the moon ! But 
 I had been lectured so much about " self-control" ' (an in- 
 visible glance went here), ' that somehow he seemed to keep 
 his patience the better the more I lost mine. I never remember 
 your telling me, sir, that my wilful moods were particularly 
 becoming ; but I began to think it must be so, and actually 
 thought of trying a little complaisance.' Whereat Miss Hazl 
 brought herself to a sudden stop. 
 
 ' My dear I ' said Mr. Falkirk. ' What was the other man 
 about ?' 
 
 ' He was walking on the other side,' said Hazel, her voice 
 changing. But he left me 'to Mr. Morton in effect, and 
 scarcely said three words all this time. I trusted his thoughts 
 were too busy with Miss Powder to notice what went on near by.'
 
 210 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 ' This is what comes of what you erroneously term dancing 
 on the branches of trees !' said Mr. Falkirk, in a great state of 
 disgust. ' But I have no idea I should have gone to that 
 woman's if I had been free. More comes of it than I reckoned 
 upon, or than six weeks will see me through. Well you got 
 rid of him at last, I suppose, and walked all the way to Dr. 
 Maryland's in your slippers ! ' 
 
 ' My dear Mr. Falkirk ! slippers for an outdoor party f 
 Yes, I "got rid of him," as you say, when we reached the 
 turning to Morton Hollow,' Hazel went on rather slowly, the 
 shadow coming into her tone again. ' And then, after that, I 
 found out why my other companion had been so silent.' 
 
 ' Found out ! He had not been taking too much ?' 
 
 ' I told you the supper-tables stood ready all the evening, 
 said the girl, sinking her voice ; ' and it was plain now 
 what he had found there.' 
 
 The silence now, rather than any words, bade her go on. 
 She caught her breath a little, mastering her excitement. 
 
 ' I knew presently what I must do. And when. You have 
 told me, sir, sometimes, that I was too hasty to resolve and to 
 do ; I had to be both now.' 
 
 ' What did you do?' said her guardian. 
 
 ' I must get away. And on the instant. For just beyond, the 
 woods ceased, and there was a long stretch of open road. I 
 thought, in that second, that my cloak might be caught. So 
 with my free hand I unfastened it, I don't know how I ever 
 did it,' said the girl excitedly, ' unless, as Byo says, mamma's 
 prayers were round me ! but I slipped the cloak from my 
 shoulders, and tore away my other hand, and sprang into the 
 woods.' 
 
 They could almost hear her heart beat, as she sat there. 
 
 ' Into the woods alone !' cried Mr. Falkirk. ' Then Go 
 on, my dear,' he said, his voice falling into great gentle- 
 ness. 
 
 ' Things came so fast upon me then !' she said, with a shiver. 
 ' I had said in that moment, " I can but try ;" and now I felt 
 that if you try some things, you must succeed. To fail, then, 
 would be just a game of hide-and-seek. That was the first
 
 A REPORT. 211 
 
 thought. I must keep ahead, if it killed me. And then in- 
 stantly I knew that to do that I must not run !' 
 
 ' What did you do?' said Mr. Falkirk. 
 
 ' I might not be the' fastest ; and if I ran, I should may be 
 not know just where he was, nor when the pursuit was 
 given up. I must pass from shadow to shadow, moving only 
 when he moved, keeping close watch, until he got tired and 
 went back.' 
 
 Hazel leaned her head on her hands, as if the mere recollec- 
 tion were all she could bear. 
 
 ' My dear ! ' exclaimed Mr. Falkirk. ' Did you keep up this 
 game long? 
 
 ' I do not know, sir,' she said wearily. ' It seemed' she 
 stopped short, then went on 
 
 ' I knew my dress was dark enough to pass notice ; and as 
 softly as I could I rolled up my white cloak and took off my 
 gloves, lest any chance light might fall on them. My steps 
 were steady the other's not; so far I had the advantage. 
 Several times I heard my name. I think the surprise must 
 have sobered him a little, for he called to me that that was not 
 the road. But how long it went on I cannot tell.' 
 
 1 Till he gave it up ?' 
 
 1 Yes. At last. I saw him go back to the road, and heard 
 his tread there, turning back the way we had come. Past me. 
 And again I had to wait. Only I crept to the edge of the 
 trees, where I could see far down the moonlight, and watch the 
 one moving shadow there, that it did not turn off again among 
 the shadows where I stood. And then I began to think I 
 could not go on towards home along that open stretch before 
 me for at least a mile there were only fields and fences on 
 either hand. I had noticed it when we drove along in the 
 evening. I could not go back towards Mrs. Merrick's. Then 
 I remembered, in my ride upon Vixen, finding a short cut from 
 this road to one from Dr. Maryland's. And I thought if I 
 could once get to that, I should find unbroken woodland, where 
 I could pass along unseen. For that, however, I must cross 
 the road in the full, clear light. And what that was ! 
 
 ' But I went safe over,' she began again, ' and reached the
 
 212 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 shadows on the other side before there came sounds upon the 
 road once more, and the full stream of late people began to 
 come rattling down from Merricksdale.' 
 
 4 Yes 1 'Mr. Falkirk's word was rather breathless. 
 
 ' At first, when I saw the first carriage, I thought I would 
 speak and claim protection ; but that held only men. And 
 then others came on foot and some that I knew. And it 
 seemed to me that instead of speaking I almost shrank into a 
 shadow myself. And when there came a little interval, so that 
 I dared move, I sprang away again, and went through the 
 woods as fast as I could go and go softly. The belt is not 
 broad there, I suppose,' she said, after another pause ; ' and I 
 reached the other road, and went on a while in the darkness 
 along the edge. But I think by this time I must have been 
 tired, I grew so suddenly trembling and unsteady. And the 
 night was so still, and yet I seemed to hear steps everywhere. 
 I could not bear it any longer ; and I thought I would just be 
 quiet and wait for the day. Only so far my wits served me 
 yet I must once more cross the road, for the moon was sink- 
 ing westward now, and the level rays came in about my 
 feet. 
 
 1 1 thought I could not do it at first,' she said, with a voice 
 that told more than the words, ' go out into that stream of 
 light ; but then I did, and hid myself in the branches of a great 
 hemlock, and waited there. 
 
 ' And then I found Mr. Rollo and I knew that I might trust 
 him.' 
 
 With which most unconscious full-sized compliment the girl 
 crossed her arms upon her lap, and laid her face down upon 
 them, and was still. 
 
 ' How did she find you ?' demanded Mr. Falkirk, with 
 unceremonious energy. The answer was in an undertone 
 
 ' I found her.' 
 
 Mr. Falkirk was silent again. 
 
 ' No,' said Wych Hazel, without raising her head, and again 
 not stopping to measure her words. ' You would have stood 
 there till this time if I had not spoken !' 
 
 1 Would I ?' said Rollo.
 
 A REPORT. 213 
 
 4 And how came you to be there at all at that time of night ?' 
 said Mr. Falkirk. 
 
 ' On my way from the cars.' 
 
 ' Cars where ?' 
 
 ' Henderson.' 
 
 4 Walk from Henderson ! ' said Mr. Falkirk. 
 
 4 Save time. I wanted to be here to-day.' 
 
 The answers were all short and grave, as a man speaks who 
 has no words that he wants to say. 
 
 4 And Mr. Rollo thought,' said Hazel, looking up, ' that it 
 was better for me to come home from Dr. Maryland's than 
 from the woods. And when he spoke of it, I sTipposed you 
 would say that too, Mr. Falkirk.' 
 
 But Mr. Falkirk vouchsafed no corroboration of this opinion. 
 
 ' Did I do well, sir ?' she said a little eagerly, but meaning 
 now the whole night's work. ' Did I do ill ? Was I a bit like 
 your old ideal," a woman," and " brave"? Or was I only a 
 girl, and very foolish ?' They were so silent, these men ! it 
 tried her. Did they, in their worldly wisdom, see any better 
 way out of her hard places than her seventeen years' inexpe- 
 rience had found, at such a cost? The brown eyes looked 
 searchingly at Mr. Falkirk, and again for an instant went 
 beyond him to Mr. Rollo. 
 
 * Answer, Mr. Falkirk !' said the younger man. 
 
 4 My dear,' said Wych Hazel's guardian, 'if I had been a 
 quarter as much a man as you have proved yourself a woman, 
 your bravery never would have been so tried.' 
 
 1 And the bravery was as much as the womanliness !' said 
 the other, in the short, terse way of all his words this after- 
 noon ; no air of compliment whatever hanging about the words. 
 
 She answered with only a deep flush of pleasure, and eyes 
 that went down now, and a smile just playing round the corners 
 of her mouth, the first that had been there that afternoon. It 
 may be remarked that there was no pleasure in either of the 
 other faces. 
 
 4 Who knows about this ?' said Mr. Falkirk suddenly. 
 
 1 Nobody,' said Rollo. 
 
 4 Not Miss Maryland?'
 
 214 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 ' I could answer for her ; but she knows nothing.* 
 Wych Hazel looked up, listening. It was interesting to hear 
 somebody else talk now. Talk was stayed, however. Both 
 men were thinking. Their thoughts did not run easily into 
 spoken words, or not while she was present ; for, after a sudden 
 excursion up-stairs to see what notes and messages might need 
 attention, on returning she found the two deep in talk, Kollo 
 seated near the head of Mr. Falkirk's couch, and bending 
 towards him. He sprang up as "Wych Hazel came in, and took 
 leave, shaking Mr. Falkirk's hand cordially, and then clasping 
 Wych Hazel's. For the first time, then, a gleam of his usual 
 gay humour broke on his lips and in his eye, as he said softly 
 4 1 should have made you speak before that 1'
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 KITTY FISHER. 
 
 NOTHING but the most superb propriety was to be expected 
 at Mrs. Powder's ; nevertheless Wych Hazel went, escorted by 
 Prim and Rollo, in Dr. Maryland's rockaway. Dr. Maryland 
 himself had been persuaded to the dinner, and it was on his 
 arm Miss Kennedy made her entrance upon the company. 
 Something unlike anything the Doctor had ever taken charge 
 of before, in a dress of soft tea-rose colour this time, and 
 with only tea-roses for trimming. 
 
 It was not a large company assembled for dinner, though 
 everybody was expected in the evening. This was a different 
 affair from Merricksdale ; an old, proud family name in the 
 mistress of the mansion ; old- fashioned respectability and modern 
 fashion commingled in the house and entertainment ; the dinner 
 party very strictly chosen. Beyond that fact, it was not per- 
 haps remarkable. After dinner, Dr. Maryland went home, 
 and gayer and younger began to pour in. Following close 
 upon Mrs. Mcrrick's entertainment, this evening too had the 
 adornment of the full moon ; and as this party also was an out- 
 door one, as much as people chose to have it so, the adorn- 
 ment was material. A large pleasure-ground around the house, 
 half garden, half shrubbery, was open to promenaders ; and at 
 certain points there were lights, and seats, and music, and 
 refreshments ; the last two not necessarily together. On this 
 pleasure-ground opened the windows of the drawing-room, and 
 to this led the steps of the piazza ; and so it came to pass, in the 
 course of the evening, that the house was pretty well deserted 
 of all but the elderly part of the guests. 
 
 In this state of things, said elderly portion of the company
 
 216 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 might as well be at home, for all the care they are able to 
 bestow on the younger. "Wandering in shadow and light, in 
 and out through the winding walks, blending in groups and 
 scattered in couples, the young friends of Mrs. Powder did 
 pretty much as they pleased. But one thing Wych Hazel had 
 cauae to suspect as the evening wore on, that though her 
 guardian proper was fast at home, she had an active actual 
 guardian much nearer to her, and in fact never very far off 
 for long at a time. Indeed, he paraded no attentions, either 
 before Wych Hazel's eyes or the eyes of the public ; but if she 
 wanted anything, Hollo found it out ; if she needed anything, 
 he was at hand to give it. His care did not burden her, nor 
 make itself at all conspicuous to other people; nevertheless 
 she herself could not but be conscious of it. This by the 
 way. 
 
 Dr. Maryland had not been gone long, the new arrivals 
 were just pouring in, when a seat beside Wych Hazel was 
 taken by Mr. Nightingale. 
 
 ' You were at Merricksdale the other night ? ' he said, after 
 the first compliments. 
 
 4 Yes, for a while.' 
 
 ' I knew you would be. I was in despair that I could not 
 get there ; but engagements contretemps held us fast. I see 
 now how much I lost ! ' 
 
 ' Then you are released from imaginary evils, that must be 
 a comfort.' 
 
 ' Do you know,' said Stuart, ' I think the toilet is a fine 
 art?' 
 
 She did not answer, looking at two or three somewhat 
 remarkable specimens of the art that just then swept by. 
 
 Who is Miss Fisher, Mr. Nightingale?' she asked suddenly. 
 
 ' Oh, don't you know Kitty? To be sure, she has just come.' 
 
 ' No, I do not know her. May I know who she is ? ' 
 
 * Not to know her argues Well, it isn't so extreme a case 
 as that. Miss Fisher, for character, is the most amiable of 
 persons ; for accomplishments, she can do everything ; for 
 connections (do you always want to know people's connec- 
 tions?) she is a niece, I believe, of Dr. Maryland's.'
 
 KITTY FISHEK. 217 
 
 Of Dr. Maryland's ! Oh, that is good ! ' said Wych Hazel. 
 ' Is she like Primrose?' 
 
 'She is more like a purple snapdragon,' said Stuart 
 reflectively. 'Do you read characters in flowers, and then 
 look out for their moral prototypes in the social world ? ' 
 
 ' I do not believe I ever had the credit of " lookiug out " for 
 anything. Good evening, Mr. Simms.' 
 
 '"It was the witching hour of night ! '" 
 
 quoted Mr. Simms, with a deprecating gesture. ' Really, Miss 
 Kennedy, I do not see why the story-books make it out such a 
 misfortune for a man to be turned to stone. I think, in some 
 circumstances, it is surely the best thing that can happen to 
 him. There is Nightingale, now he would feel no end better 
 for a slight infusion of silica!' And, with another profound 
 reverence, Mr. Simms moved off. 
 
 4 1 should like to see the philosopher that would make an 
 infusion of silica,' muttered Stuart. ' He's never drunk it. 
 What is the use of poets in the world, Miss Kennedy ? ' 
 
 ' To furnish people with quotations as a general thing, 'said 
 Wych Hazel 
 
 ' Precisely my idea. And that's stupid, for people don't 
 want them. It looks bright out among Mrs. Powder's bushes ; 
 shall we go and try how it feels ? ' 
 
 It was pretty and pleasant. Moonlight and lamps do make 
 a witching world of it; and under the various lights flitted 
 such a multitude of gay creatures, that Mr. Falkirk's favourite 
 allusion to enchanted ground would have been more than 
 usually appropriate. All the colours in the rainbow gleaming 
 by turns in all possible alternations and degrees of light and 
 shadow ; a moving kaleidoscope of humanity ; the eye at least 
 was entertained. And Stuart endeavoured to find entertain- 
 ment for the ear of his companion. They wandered up and 
 down, in and out, not meeting many people. In the changing 
 lights it was easy to miss anybody at pleasure. In the course 
 of the walk, Stuart begged for a ride with Miss Kennedy ; 
 again negatived, on the plea that Miss Kennedy's horses were 
 not yet come. Stuart immediately besought to be allowed to
 
 218 "WTCH HAZEL. 
 
 supply that want for the occasion, his aunt had a nice little 
 Canadian pony. 
 
 ' I cannot tell,' said Wycb Hazel gaily. ' You know I must 
 ask Mr. Falkirk.' 
 
 ' You do not mean that?' said Stuart. 
 
 ' Why, of course I mean it ! ' 
 
 ' Is it possible you are in such bondage ? But, by the way, 
 there is going to be some singing presently, which I think you 
 will like. I have been counting upon it for you.' 
 
 ' Is there ? ' she said, ' where ? You are right in the fact, 
 Mr. Nightingale, but quite wrong as to terms. I mean, the 
 terms give a false impression of the fact. Where is the music 
 to be, Mr. Rollo ? ' For Rollo, prowling about in the shrubbery, 
 had at the moment joined them. He answered rather absently, 
 that he believed it was to be in the garden. 
 
 ' Do you understand, Mr. Nightingale ? ' Wych Hazel re- 
 sumed, turning to her other companion, ' that is a mistake ? ' 
 
 ' Can you prove it ? But, a propos, I am right in supposing 
 that you are fond of music ? That is true, isn't it ? ' 
 
 ' Very true ! ' But she was thinking. ' Mr. Rollo, how can 
 you always say what you mean, without saying what you do 
 not mean ?' she asked .suddenly. 
 
 'Choose your audience,' said Rollo. 
 
 ' I like to say what I mean to anybody ! ' 
 
 'It is a great luxury. But the corresponding luxury of 
 being understood is not always at command. Have you been 
 puzzling Mr. Nightingale?' he asked, in an amused voice. 
 
 'Only presenting my ideas wrong end first, as usual. Is 
 Miss Fisher here to-night? and do you like her, Mr. Rollo?' 
 
 ' Miss Fisher Kitty ? I have not seen her since I came 
 home from Europe. But there is Prim. I must go and take 
 care of her.' 
 
 He disappeared. The walk and talk of the two others was 
 prolonged, until faint sweet notes of wind instruments from 
 afar called them to join the rest of the world. 
 
 There was quite a little company gathered at this point, a 
 small clearing in the shrubbery round one side of which seats 
 were placed. Here the music lovers ("and some others) were
 
 KITTY FISHER. 219 
 
 ranged in a tiny semicircle, half in shadow, half in light, as the 
 lamps and moonbeams served. The light came clear upon half 
 the little spot of greensward, glittered on leaves and branches 
 beyond, glanced on the tops of trees higher up. A lively 
 chitter-chatter was going on, after the fashion of such com- 
 panies, when Wych Hazel came up ; but a moment after the 
 first notes of the music struck their ears, and all was as hushed 
 as the moonlight itself. Only the notes of the harmony floated 
 in and out through the trees ; nothing else moved. 
 
 Mrs. Powder had managed to secure some good musical 
 talent, for the performance was of excellent quality. Perhaps 
 summer air and moonbeams helped the effect. At any rate, 
 the first performance, a duet between a flute and a violin, 
 was undoubtedly listened to ; and that is saying much. The 
 performers were out of sight. Then a fine soprano voice fol- 
 lowed in a favourite opera air. 
 
 Wych Hazel was seated near one end of the semicircle, with 
 Primrose just behind her ; both of them in shadow. Rollo had 
 been standing in the full light just before them, but during the 
 singing he was beckoned away, and the spot was clear. In 
 two minutes more Stuart Nightingale had brought a camp- 
 chair to Wych Hazel's side. He was .(quiet till the song was 
 over, and the little gratified buzz of voices began. Under this 
 cover he spoke low 
 
 ' Have you two guardians, Miss Kennedy ? ' 
 
 ' One has answered all my purposes hitherto,' she answered, 
 with a laugh. * Do I seem to need another ? ' 
 
 ' Seem to have another ! Pardon me. Do you like to be 
 taken care of ?' He spoke in her own tone. 
 
 ' By myself best ! If I must speak the truth.' 
 
 'Ah, I thought so! Who else can do it so well? A fine 
 woman needs no other control than her own. Am I to bo 
 disappointed of that ride ?' He was speaking very softly. 
 
 ' Well, I will prefer my request,' said Hazel. ' I wish I 
 could say yes at once. But how shall I let you know ? ' 
 
 Prim's hand touched her shoulder at this instant, for delicious 
 notes of two voices stole upon the air from the hiding-place of 
 Mrs. Powder's troupe. The lady's voice they had heard before ;
 
 220 WYCH HAZEL 
 
 ft was one of great power and training, and it came now 
 mingling with a sweet, full bass voice. There was no more 
 talking until the music ended. It was a fine bit from a 
 German opera. 
 
 1 How do you like that ? ' Stuart asked. 
 
 Hazel drew a deep breath. ' Can you tell how you like 
 things?' she said. 
 
 * Yes,' said Stuart ' After we get that ride I am talking 
 of, I'll tell you how I liked it. By the way, I will do 
 myself the honour to be the receiver of your answer con- 
 cerning it. But this pleasure, no yes, I do know why I 
 enjoy it ; but it is not because the voices are fine or the music 
 expressive. Can you guess ? ' 
 
 4 Not for the music, and not for the voices ! ' said the girl, 
 looking at him. 
 
 ' A puzzle, isn't it ? ' said Stuart. ' No ; the music expresses 
 nothing to me, this sort of music ; and voices are voices, but 
 I care only for voices that I know.' 
 
 Another little word of warning from Prim behind her ' Oh, 
 Hazel, listen ! ' prevented any reply ; and Stuart's ' Yes, this ia 
 something now,' made it unnecessary. And the singing would 
 have made it impossible. A man's voice alone ; the same rich, 
 full, sweet bass, in the ballad of the * Three Fishers.' Whether 
 Mr. Nightingale had divined that somebody was near who 
 knew Wych Hazel, or merely acted on general prudential 
 motives, he left his seat and stood a little apart while the 
 ballad was sung. 
 
 ' Do you like that ? ' Primrose whispered. 
 
 * The voice, not the ballad.' 
 
 ' Nor I either,' said Prim. ' I don't see what he sings it for.' 
 There was but a moment's interval, and then the same voice 
 began another strain, so noble, so deep, so thrilling, that 
 every breath was held till it had done. The power of the 
 voice came out in this strain ; the notes were wild, pleading, 
 agonizing, yet with slow, sweet human melody. The air 
 thrilled with them ; they seemed to float off and lose them- 
 selves through the woods. Sadly, grandly, the song breathed, 
 and fell, and ceased. Wych Hazel did not speak, nor stir, nor
 
 KITTY FISHEE. 221 
 
 look, except on the ground, even when the last notes had died 
 away. Only her little hands held each other very close, her 
 cheek resting on them. 
 
 4 Yes, I know,' said Primrose softly. ' That is Handel ! ' 
 Stuart Nightingale presently slid back to his seat, and now 
 there came a stir. The music was discontinued. In a few 
 minutes Rollo came, bringing refreshments; Mr. Nightingale 
 bestirred himself in the same cause. And presently they were 
 all eating ices and fruits ; at which juncture Miss Josephine 
 joined herself to the party, with one or two more of her sort, 
 while several gentlemen began to ' fall in ' behind Miss 
 Kennedy. 
 
 4 Did you have a good time at Merricksdale ?' Josephine asked. 
 4 Not better than usual,' Hazel answered. 
 4 Danced, didn't yoxi ? I wanted mamma to have dancing 
 to-night, and she wouldn't. She's so awfully slow ! Oh, Mr. 
 Rollo, do you like dancing?' 
 
 ' On anything but my own feet,' said Rollo. 
 ' Anything but your own feet 1 How can you dance on any- 
 thing but your own feet ? ' 
 
 4 My horse's feet? Or what do you think of a good yacht 
 and a good breeze ? ' 
 
 4 Horrid ! I never want to be in one. And don't you like 
 dancing? 0, why ? Don't you, Miss Kennedy? Don't you, 
 Mr. Nightingale?' 
 
 4 Depends on the dance,' said Stuart. 4 And on my partner.' 
 4 Oh, it don't signify what partner you have 1 In fact, you 
 dance with everybody, you know. That's the best fun ! Don't 
 you like the German, Miss Kennedy ?' 
 
 4 Not with everybody,' said Miss Kennedy, thinking of 
 possible partners. 
 
 4 Oh, but you must, you know, in the German, and that's 
 the fun I I don't think anything else is fun. Of course the 
 people are all proper. Don't you like the German, Mr. Rollo ?' 
 4 1 do not dance it.' 
 
 4 Not I Don't you ? 0, why ? You do dance, I know, for 
 I've seen you. You waltz like a German a man, I mean. 
 Why don't you dance the German ?'
 
 222 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 ' How does a German a man, I mean waltz, Miss 
 Phinny? as distinguished from other nationalities?' Stuart 
 asked. 
 
 'Oh, different!' 
 
 ' Won't you tell us in what way ? This is interesting.' 
 
 4 It won't help you,' said Josephine. ' And you dance well, 
 besides. A German waltzes slow and elegantly.' 
 
 ' And other people ? ' 
 
 ' You may laugh, but it's true ; I've noticed it. An English- 
 man sways, and a Frenchman spins, but a German floats. 
 Oh, it's just delicious! Why don't you dance the German, 
 Dane Rollo ? You're not pious?' 
 
 Hollo did not join in the general smile. He answered com- 
 posedly 
 
 * What I would not let my sister do, Miss Josephine, I am 
 bound not to ask of another lady.' 
 
 ' Why wouldn't you let your sister? You haven't got one, 
 and don't know. But that's being awfully strict. I had no 
 idea you were so strict, I thought you were jolly !' 
 
 ' Could you hinder your sister ? ' Stuart asked, with a slight 
 laugh. The answer was, however, unhesitating. 
 
 ' Why would you hinder her?' repeated Josephine. 
 
 1 Ask Kitty Fisher.' 
 
 ' Kitty, does she know ? And why shouldn't you tell us as 
 well as her?' 
 
 Rollo took Miss Kennedy's plate at the instant, and went off 
 with it. 
 
 "That's all bosh!' said Josephine. 'I like people that are 
 jolly. The German is real jolly. Last week we danced it 
 with candles it was splendid fun ! ' 
 
 ' Not here ? ' said one of the gentlemen. 
 
 ' Here ! No. You bet ? My mother is my mother, and 
 nobody ever charged her with being jolly, I suppose ! ' 
 
 'How could you dance with candles?' said Primrose's 
 astonished voice. 
 
 ' Yes. Six of us had great long wax candles, lighted ; and 
 we stood up on a chair.' 
 
 ' Six of you on a chair ! '
 
 KITTY FISHER. 223 
 
 4 The old question of the schoolmen ! ' cried Nightingale, 
 bursting into a laugh. 
 
 ' Of course, on six chairs, I mean ! Of course. Six of us on 
 a chair 1 ' 
 
 ' But what did you get on chairs for ? ' 
 
 ' Why ! then the gentlemen danced round us, and at the 
 signal the leader gave the signal the gentlemen jumped up 
 as high as they could, and tried to blow out our lights, and 
 they had to keep step and jump ; and if any gentleman could 
 blow out the candle nearest him, he could dance with that lady. 
 Didn't we make them jump, though 1 We held our candles up 
 so high, you know, they could not get at them, unless we liked 
 somebody, and wanted him for a partner. Oh, we had a royal 
 time!' 
 
 ' Did the gentlemen dance and blow indiscriminately ? ' 
 said Miss Kennedy, with a curl of her lips. 
 
 4 No, no I how you do tell things, Josephine ! ' said Miss Burr. 
 ' Two gentlemen for each chair, and whichever of the two put 
 the candle out, he danced with the lady.' 
 
 ' Kitty had four or five round her chair ' said Josephine. 
 
 'And couldn't the lady help herself?' inquired Primrose, 
 in a tone of voice which called forth a universal burst of 
 laughter. 
 
 4 Why, we did,' said Josephine. ' If you don't like a man, 
 you hold the candle up out of his reach.' 
 
 ' You couldn't baffle everybody so,' remarked Mr. Kingsland. 
 Several gentlemen had come up during the tale, closing in 
 around Miss Kennedy. 
 
 ' Mr. Rollo is right about one thing,' said Miss Burr. ' No- 
 body has seen the German who has not seen it led by Kitty 
 Fisher. You should see her dance it, Miss Kennedy.' 
 
 ' Yes, you should,' echoed Mr. May. ' I had rather look on 
 than be in it, for my part.' 
 
 ' What do you think she did at Catskill the other day ? ' said 
 Miss Burr. ' She took a piece of ice between her teeth, and 
 went round the piazza asking all the gentlemen to take a bite !' 
 
 4 Clever Kitty ! She'll work that up into a new figure, see 
 if she don't ! ' said Mr. Kiugsland.
 
 224 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 ' To be called the Noli me tangere!' said Mr. May. ' Part- 
 ners secured at the melting point' The other gentlemen 
 laughed. 
 
 * I see you and Kitty are at swords' points yet,' said Miss Burr. 
 
 ' No,' put in Rollo ; ' she likes a foil better than a rapier.' 
 
 ' Certainly it does not sound as if she was like you, Primrose,' 
 observed Wych Hazel. 
 
 ' Like Miss Maryland ! Hardly,' said Mr. May. 'Nor like 
 any one your thoughts could even imagine,' he added softly. 
 
 It was growing late now ; and the moon, gradually passing 
 along behind the trees, found a clear space at this point, and 
 looked down full at the little party to see what they were 
 about. Just then, from the distance, came a stir and a murmur, 
 and sound of laughing voices. 
 
 ' She's coming this minute ! ' said Mr. Kingsland. ' " Talk 
 about angels 1" Your curiosity will soon be fed, Miss Kennedy, 
 and may perchance, like other things, grow by what it feeda 
 on. Here comes the redoubtable Kitty herself. Miss Fisher, 
 my poor eyes have seen nothing since they last beheld you ! ' 
 
 ' Don't see much in ordinary,' said a gay voice ; and a young 
 lady, too young, alas! for the part she was playing, swept 
 into the circle. A very handsome girl, with a coronet of fair 
 hair, from which strayed braids, and curls, and crinkles, and 
 puffs, and bands, and flowers, and ribands; her dress in the 
 extremest extremity of the fashion, very long, very low, with 
 puffs and poufs innumerable ; the whole borne up by the 
 highest and minutest pair of heels that ever a beguiling shoe- 
 maker sent forth. She nodded, laughing, and held out her 
 hands right and left. 
 
 'How d'ye do, Stephen? Mr. Richard May! ' with a pro- 
 found reverence. ' And if there isn't our Norwegian back 
 again ! Glad to see you, Mr. Rollo ! Have you learned how to 
 spell your name yet ? ' 
 
 But to this lady Rollo gave one of his Spanish salutations ; 
 while Phinny Powder jumped up and exclaimed with pleasure, 
 and Primrose from behind them uttered her quiet ' How d'ye 
 do, Kitty? ' Wych Hazel, on her part, had risen too, drawing 
 a little back in the sudden desire for a distant view first.
 
 KITTY FISHER. 225 
 
 ' I see,' Miss Fisher went on, speaking to Rollo. ' The e in 
 the middle as usual, and the i and the g to keep it there. Why, 
 Prim, my dear child ! you here ? Among all these black coats 
 of uii clerical order? How do you do?' with an embrace. 
 ' And how is my uncle ? But where is Miss Kennedy ? I am 
 dying to see Miss Kennedy ! and they told me she was here.' 
 
 ' The time to die is after you have seen Miss Kennedy,' said 
 Mr. Kingsland. 
 
 'To my face!' said Kitty. 'Well! That is she, I know, 
 behind Mr. May. Introduce us, Richard, pleasa' 
 
 Mr. May stepped aside, and with extreme formality presented 
 Miss Fisher to the lady of Chickaree. Kitty touched hands, 
 and paused, forgetting to take her own away. The young ' un- 
 wonted ' face was certainly a novelty to her. And a surprise. 
 
 ' We shall all be jealous of her for her little mouth,' was her 
 first remark. ' Don't everybody generally kiss you, child, that 
 comes near enough ? ' 
 
 Wych Hazel withdrew her hand, stepping back again in her 
 astonishment, and surveying Miss Fisher. 
 
 ' People do not generally come near enough,' she said, as 
 well as it could be said. 
 
 There was a little round of applause from the gentlemen at 
 that. Kitty Fisher nodded, not at all displeased. 
 
 ' She'll do,' she said. ' I was afraid she was nothing but a 
 milksop, all strawberries and cream. I vow she's handsome ! ' 
 
 ' Handsome is that handsome does,' said Rollo. ' Miss Kitty, 
 will you sit down and take things calmly ? ' offering a chair. 
 
 ' Yes, I'll take the chair; and Miss Kennedy and I'll divide 
 the civil speech between us,' said Kitty Fisher, placing herself 
 close by Hazel. ' It's awfully nice here. What are you all about?' 
 
 ' Just unable to get on for want of Miss Fisher,' said Stuart. 
 ' Calling for you, in fact.' 
 
 ' Echo answering " Where?" and all that,' said Kitty. 
 
 ' Not at all. Echo said you were coming.' 
 
 ' No dancing to-night ? awfully slow, isn't it ? Beg par- 
 don, Phinny ; but you think just so yourself. Go off and start 
 up the band into a waltz, and we'll have it out before the old 
 lady gets the idea into her head. Come !'
 
 226 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 Phinny started off on the instant with such energy and good 
 will to her errand, that in a few minutes the burst of a waltz air 
 in the immediate neighbourhood of the parties requiring it, said 
 that Miss Josephine had been successf uL And she said it herself. 
 4 There ! ' she exclaimed ; * we've got it. Mamma '11 never 
 care, if she hears, nor know, if she sees. Come 1 Here are enough 
 of us.' 
 
 One and another couple sailed off from the group. Stuart 
 offered his hand to Wych Hazel. * You waltz ? ' he said. 
 
 She gave hers readily. The music had put her on tiptoe. 
 And presently the little green was full of flying footsteps and 
 fluttering draperies. As many as there was room for took the 
 ground ; but there was good room, and the waltz was spirited. 
 Some stood and looked on ; some beat time with their feet. 
 In a shadow of the corner where they had been talking, stood 
 Prim and Kollo ; not beating time. Prim put her hand on his 
 arm, but neither spoke a word. 
 
 4 Shall we take a tangent, and finish our stroll?' whispered 
 Stuart, when they had whirled round the circle several times. 
 
 ' If you like, one is ready for anything in such a night,' said 
 Hazel gleefully. She had gone round much like a thistle- 
 down, with a child's face and movement of pleasure. So, sud- 
 denly and silently, as they were passing one of the alleys that 
 led out from the little green, Stuart and his partner disappeared 
 from the eyes of the spectators. It was certainly a pleasant 
 night for a strolL The light made such new combinations of 
 old things, took and gave such new views; the pleasure of 
 looking for them and finding them was ensnaring. Then the 
 air was very sweet and soft, and so was Stuart's conversation. 
 Gliding on from one thing to another, even as their footsteps 
 went, mingling fun and fancy and commonplace and flattery 
 in a very agreeable sort of pot-pourri, so they followed dowa 
 one alley of the shrubbery and up another ; winding about and 
 about, but keeping at a distance from other people. Until, much 
 too soon for Stuart's intent, they were suddenly and quietly 
 joined at a fork of the paths by Kollo, with Miss Fisher on hid 
 arm. 
 
 As the waltz ceased, Rollo had secured without difficulty the
 
 KITTY FISHER. 227 
 
 companionship of Miss Fisher for a walk; and Miss Fisher 
 never knew how peculiar a walk it was, nor imagined that 
 her cavalier was following a very fixed and definite purpose 
 of his own. Nothing seemed less purposeful than the course 
 they took ; it was no course ; from one path diverging into 
 another, changing from one direction to another; a hunted 
 hare would scarce make more doublings, or anything else, 
 except the dog hi chase of the hare. Kitty only knew that she 
 was very well amused ; her companion never left that doubt- 
 ful, nor allowed her much leisure to make inconvenient observa- 
 tions ; and, in short Kitty did not care where they went ! and 
 Rollo did care. So it fell out, that quite suddenly, and as much 
 to his companion's surprise as anybody's, quite easily and 
 naturally they stepped out of one walk into another just as 
 Wych Hazel and her attendant came to the same spot. 
 
 1 Your old proverbs are all stuff,' Kitty was saying to her 
 companion. ' I do think she's the prettiest thing I ever saw. 
 Only she don't know her tools. Just wait till I've had her in 
 training a while ! ' 
 
 ' Miss Kennedy,' said Rollo, ' how would you like to be in 
 training?' They had somehow joined company with Stuart 
 and Wych Hazel ; not by the former's good will, but he could 
 not manage to help it. 
 
 ' I may as well reserve my views on that subject for some- 
 body who wants to try,' said the girl with a laugh. She had 
 not heard Kitty Fisher. 
 
 * On what point just now do you think you need it?' 
 
 4 1 am in an extremely content state of mind " just now," 
 thank you, Mr. Rollo.' 
 
 4 Miss Fisher would not think that proves anything.' 
 
 4 Does Mias Kitty offer her services as trainer?' asked 
 Stuart. 
 
 ' Now just wait, both of you,' said Kitty Fisher, * and let 
 Miss Kennedy get used to me a little. She's awfully shocked, 
 to begin with ; and you're trying to make believe she'll never 
 get over it.' 
 
 A slight gesture of Miss Kennedy's head, unseen by Miss 
 Kitty, seemed to say that was extremely probable.
 
 228 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 1 You should let her get accustomed to you by degrees,' said 
 Stuart. ' Hover about in the middle distance, suppose, with- 
 out getting out of the range of vision, so that you may make 
 your approaches to her heart through her eyes. That is an 
 excellent way.' 
 
 'Is it?' said Kitty. 'You've tried all ways, I presume! 
 But I notice that just now you seem to prefer the ear as a 
 medium. Wouldn't she be splendid in the " Thread of 
 Destiny," Stuart?' 
 
 * I should think so, if I were at the end of the thread ! ' 
 
 ' You would not suppose it, Miss Kennedy,' said Rollo ; ' but 
 the " Thread of Destiny " is a silk riband. The destiny is not 
 therefore always silken.' 
 
 ' Much you know about it ! ' said Kitty. ' I just wish I could 
 see you thoroughly wound up for once with Bell Powder and 
 two or three other people.' 
 
 Wych Hazel was growing rather weary of the talk. ' Who 
 were the singers to-night, Mr. Nightingale?' she said, pitching 
 her voice for his benefit alone. 
 
 ' Really,' said he in an answering tone, ' I am not musical 
 enough to be certain about it. Voices in common speech I 
 can understand and appreciate ; but in this kind of manifesta- 
 tion Mrs. Powder knows her business. She had secured the 
 right sort of thing. The principal singer is a lady who has 
 studied abroad ; they are all visitors or dwellers in the neigh- 
 bourhood. Did you like the performance ? ' 
 
 ' Some of it; but the singing above alL You cannot under- 
 stand that? 1 
 
 ' If you and Miss Kennedy want to whisper,' said Kitty 
 Fisher, ' fall back a little, can't you, Mr. Nightingale ? or turn 
 down another path. It disturbs my own train of thought, this 
 trying to hear what other people say.' 
 
 ' Nobody would suspect Miss Fisher,' said Rollo dryly, ' of 
 being unwilling that anybody should hear what she has to say.' 
 
 ' Do you know,' said Kitty, turning upon him with an em- 
 phasizing pressure of the arm she held, 'what iny thoughts 
 really are at work upon?' 
 
 ' Ye*.'
 
 KITTY FISHER. 229 
 
 ' Let's hear. Tell me, and I'll tell you.' 
 
 ' I do not think,' said Rollo slowly, ' it would be expedient.' 
 
 ' Fudge ! You know you couldn't. I have been trying to 
 find out what so extremely sedate a person was after when he 
 undertook to walk me round in the moonlight ! ' 
 
 And in defiance of everything, Wych Hazel's soft ' Ha ! ha !' 
 responded, a little as if the question had perplexed her 
 too. 
 
 4 Have you had a good time ? ' said Rollo coolly. 
 
 ' Very ! which makes it the more puzzling. Did Mr. Rollo 
 ever walk with you in the moonlight, Miss Kennedy ? ' 
 
 'Yes.' 
 
 ' Have a good time?' said Kitty. 
 
 The girl hesitated ; but among her accomplishments the art 
 of pretty fibs had not been included. The truth had to come 
 out in some shape. 
 
 4 So far as Mr. Rollo could make it,' she said at last. 
 
 how Kitty Fisher laughed! and the gentlemen both 
 smiled. 
 
 'Why, that is capital!' she cried. 'I couldn't have done 
 better myself!' Wych Hazel blushed painfully; but Rollo'a 
 answer was extremely unconcerned. 
 
 ' I don't always give people a good time,' he said. ' You 
 are fortunate, Miss Kitty. I am impelled to ask, in this con- 
 nection, how long Mrs. Powder expects us to make our good 
 times this evening?' 
 
 Upon comparing watches in the moonlight, it was found that 
 the night was well on its way. There was nothing more to do 
 but to go home. 
 
 On the way home, a little bit of talk occurred in the rock- 
 away, which may be reported. Going along quietly in the 
 bright moonlit road, Rollo driving, Primrose suddenly asked a 
 question 
 
 ' Didn't you use to be a great waltzer, Duke ? ' 
 
 A waltzer? yes.' 
 
 ' Then what made you not waltz to-night?' 
 
 Rollo leaned back against one side of the rockaway, and 
 answered, while the old horse walked leisurely on
 
 230 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 ' I have looked at the subject from a new point of view, 
 Prim.' 
 
 1 Have you? From what point of view, Duke?' said Prim- 
 rose, much interested. 
 
 ' I have made up my mind,' said Rollo slowly, ' I shall waltz 
 no more, except with the lady who will be my wife. And 
 when I waltz with her, she will waltz with nobody else ! ' 
 
 Prim sat back in her corner, and spoke not a word more.
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 THE LOSS OF ALL THINGS. 
 
 1 AND how do you like your new neighbour, Prim ?' said the 
 young Dr. Maryland the first night of his return home. He 
 had talked all tea-time to the collective family without once 
 mentioning Miss Kennedy's name, and now put the question to 
 his sister as they sat alone together in the twilight. 
 
 ' Oh, Arthur, very much I' 
 
 4 You see a good deal of her ?' was the next question asked, 
 after a pause. 
 
 ' Y es,' said Primrose doubtfully. ' At least, when I am 
 with her I think I do; when I am away from her, it seems 
 little.' 
 
 ' I must ride over there and call to-morrow,' said Dr. Arthur. 
 'Will you go too?' 
 
 And so it fell out that Dingee was summoned to the door 
 next day to usher in the party. 
 
 ' Yes'm, Miss Ma'land Miss Hazel, she in, sure ! singin' to 
 herself in de red room ;' and Dingee led the way. 
 
 It was a new room to most of the guests, a room that 
 seemed two sides woodland and one side sunshine ; walls with 
 deep crimson hangings, and carpets of the same hue ; and 
 quaint old carved oak chairs and tables, and a bookcase or two, 
 and oaken shelves and brackets against the crimson of the 
 walla. The morning had been cool enough there at Chickaree 
 for a wood fire, though only the embers remained now ; and in 
 front of where the fire had been, sat the young mistress of the 
 house, half hid in a great arm-chair. Soft white folds fell all 
 around her ; and two small blue velvet slippers took their ease 
 upon a footstool, with white laces giving their cobweb finish 
 
 231
 
 232 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 here, there, and everywhere. A book was in her hand, and on 
 her shoulder the grey kitten purred secure, in spite of the silky 
 curls which now and then made puss into a pillow. Now and 
 then ! for while Miss Kennedy sometimes made believe read, 
 and sometimes really sang, pouring out scraps of song like a 
 wild bird, yet in truth her attention was oftenest given to the 
 great picture which hung in one recess, and then her head 
 went down upon the grey kitten. Just now, when the visitors 
 came in, she was searching for the notes of that last song at 
 Mrs. Powder's, trying, apparently, to catch it and bring it 
 back, her girl's voice endeavouring to represent that which her 
 girl's heart had never known. 
 
 The picture I may describe it here was that of a young 
 man bound to a tree and pierced with arrows. No human 
 witnesses insight, except in $*-.$ % "erne distance; and over 
 sky and earth no sunlight, bo^VMul the deepening shadows 
 of night. But the presence of the one was not noticed, nor the 
 presence of the others missed. Away from earth, and lifted 
 above suffering, the martyr's eyes looked to the opening clouds 
 above his head, where were light, and heavenly messengers, 
 and the palm branch, and the crown. Something in the calm, 
 clear face checked Miss Kennedy's bursts of song as often as 
 she turned that way, the high look so beyond ker reach. 
 
 ' What are you doing, Hazel ? ' said Prim's sweet voice. 
 
 ' Puzzling,' said Hazel, jumping up, and lifting one hand to 
 support the kitten. 'Dr. Maryland, I am very glad to see 
 you ! Oh, Prim, how happy you must be I ' 
 
 * You don't look in the least like a person in a puzzle,' said 
 Primrose, after the first compliments were past. ' What could 
 you be puzzling about, dear? ' 
 
 ' That picture. It always puzzles me. And so, when I get 
 befogged over other things, I often come here and add this to 
 the number.' 
 
 ' You are hardly far enough on in your studies yet, Miss 
 Kennedy, to understand that picture,' said Dr. Arthur, who 
 was considering it very intently himself. 
 
 ' My studies ! Painting, do you mean ? Or what do you 
 mean ? ' said Wych Hazel.
 
 THE LOSS OF ALL THINGS. 233 
 
 ' What does the picture say to you, Miss Kennedy? ' 
 
 ' That is just what I cannot find out,' said Hazel, jumping 
 up again and coming to stand at his side. ' I cannot read it a bit.' 
 
 ' You have not learned the characters in which it is written, 
 yet,' said Dr. Arthur, with a glance at her. 
 
 ' She has not learned much,' said Primrose, smiling. 
 
 ' Can you read it ? ' said Hazel, facing round. 
 
 'Why, yes, Hazel.' 
 
 ' Well,' said the girl half -impatiently, ' then how come I to 
 be such an ignoramus ? ' 
 
 ' There are some things,' said Dr. Arthur, with another swift 
 look at his companion, ' which everybody can learn at once. 
 But there are others, Miss Kennedy, which sometimes must 
 wait until the Lord himself sets the lesson. I think this is 
 one of those.' 
 
 ' I shall ask your father,' said Hazel decidedly. ' He always 
 thinks I ought to know everything at once.' 
 
 ' Oh, Hazel, my dear, how can you say so ! ' cried Prim. 
 ' Indeed, papa is never so unreasonable. And there he is this 
 minute, and you can ask him.' 
 
 The long windows of the room looked upon a stretch of 
 greensward spotted with trees. Coming across this bit of the 
 grounds, Dr. Maryland and Rollo saw one of the windows open, 
 and caught sight also of the party within. Even as Dr. Mary- 
 land's daughter spoke, they stepped upon the piazza and came 
 into the room. 
 
 ' That is a picture of the loss of all things,' Dr. Arthur was 
 saying. ' How should you be able to understand ? ' But then 
 he stepped back, and left the explanation in other hands. 
 
 "'The loss of all things!"' Hazel repeated, bewildered. 
 ' How do you do, Mr. Rollo ? Dr. Maryland, there is always 
 Borne special reason why I am especially glad to see you ! ' 
 
 ' What is the reason now, my dear ? ' said the Doctor, with a 
 very benign look on his face. 
 
 ' These two people,' said Wych Hazel, with an airy gesture 
 of her head towards her other guests, ' find me in a puzzle and 
 push me further in ; and I want to be pulled out.' 
 
 ' In what direction shall I pull? ' asked the Doctor.
 
 234 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 ' Well, sir Oh, Mr. Rollo, don't you want the cat? I know 
 you like cats,' said Hazel ; ' and she is in my way. It is only 
 about my old picture here, Dr. Maryland, which they pretend 
 to understand. Dr. Arthur says it means "the loss of all 
 things," and that does not clear up my ideas in the least. Why 
 must I "wait" to know what it means?' she added, linking 
 her hands on the Doctor's arm, and raising her eager, vivid face 
 to his. ' Prim says I " don't know much ; " but I cannot see 
 why that should hinder my learning more.' 
 
 How strong the contrast with the martyr's face ! How high, 
 and still, and calm the look of him who had overcome ! How 
 tender, how open to sorrow, how susceptible of loss, that of the 
 girl on whom as yet the rough winds had not blown ! Dr. 
 Arthur's eyes went soberly from one to the other. Rollo had 
 taken the little cat from its position on its mistress' shoulder, 
 and now stood with it established on his own, quietly and 
 somewhat gravely attending to what was going on. 
 
 ' What do you want to learn, my dear ? ' said Dr. Maryland, 
 on his part gazing at the picture now. 
 
 ' That picture always perplexes me,' said Hazel. ' What does 
 it mean ? And why do I love it so much, not knowing what 
 it means ? ' 
 
 Standing and looking at the picture, Dr. Maryland answered 
 in the words of Paul : ' " What mean ye to weep and to 
 break my heart ? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also 
 to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." ' 
 
 'But, papa,' said Primrose, 'that doesn't tell her what it 
 means. Didn't Arthur say right " The loss of all things " ? ' 
 
 ' It means,' said Dr. Maryland, ' human weakness and God's 
 strength ; human emptiness and God's f ulness ; earthly defeat 
 and heavenly victory. How should you understand it, my 
 dear, who have not begun the fight yet ? ' 
 
 ' But then, papa, why does she love it so much ? ' 
 
 Dr. Maryland hesitated, and it was Rollo who answered 
 
 'Because the fight is in her. 1 
 
 ' That's a queer way of putting it,' said Dr. Maryland ; ' but 
 perhaps it's true. I hope it is.' 
 
 The girl gave a swift look over her shoulder, which it was to
 
 THE LOSS OF ALL THINGS. 235 
 
 be hoped Mr. Rollo liked, as it was meant for him, so spark- 
 ling with the joy of being understood, so stirred with that 
 sudden new life and purpose which appreciation wakes up in 
 some natures. It was but an instant ; then her eyes came back 
 to Dr. Maryland, and were all quiet again. He did not think 
 so, evidently. Which was right ? Of what did he doubt her 
 capable ? 
 
 ' Weakness ! emptiness ! defeat I ' she said, recalling his 
 words. ' Is that what I am to find ? ' 
 
 ' You do not think it possible ? ' said Dr. Maryland. 
 
 ' How should she, papa ? ' said Primrose. 
 
 'Well, my dear, it is not possible she should. And yet, 
 Hazel, there is only this one way to find strength, fulness, and 
 victory. It is a problem to you, my dear, only to be worked out.' 
 
 ' Does every one work it out, papa ? ' 
 
 * No, my dear ; two-thirds of men never do. And so they 
 go on for ever saying, " Who will show us any good? '*' 
 
 ' He did not find defeat/ said Hazel, looking at the martyr's 
 face, and somehow forgetting the arrows and the cords. 
 
 ' The story is,' said Dr. Maryland, ' that he was an officer 
 high in trust and command in the service of the Emperor 
 (Maximian). For owning himself a Christian, he was stripped 
 of power and place, delivered into the will of his enemies, 
 bound to a tree and shot to death with arrows. There is the 
 human defeat, my dear Hazel. What you see in the face there, 
 is the mental victory, some of the struggle, too.' 
 
 ' Mental victory ! ' she said, half to herself, considering the 
 words. * I ought to be equal to that. Did you mean " defeat," 
 Dr. Arthur, by " the loss of all things " ? ' 
 
 'No,' said Dr. Arthur; 'I meant anything but that. I meant 
 nothing worse than the exchange of a handful of soiled paper 
 for both the hands full of solid gold.' 
 
 'Ah, you all talk such riddles 1' said the girl, knitting her 
 brows. ' What would it be to me, I mean ? That I should lose 
 Chickaree? but that is impossible I ' 
 
 ' It was said,' Dr. Maryland answered, ' and the Lord said 
 it, " Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he 
 hath, he cannot be my disciple." '
 
 236 WYOH HAZEL. 
 
 ' Yes, sir ; but * she said quickly, then checked herself. 
 
 'Well, my dear. My words will come best in answer to your 
 questions, for then they can meet the very point of your 
 difficulty.' 
 
 ' You will not think me disrespectful, sir ? I was going to 
 say, you do not do that,' said Hazel, hesitating over her words, 
 ' none of you. You have Prim and Dr. Arthur ; and Dr. 
 Arthur comes home, and then Prim has her brother. And 
 there is the pretty house, and books, and engravings. I don't 
 know anything about Mr. Rollo, of course,' she sairl. correcting 
 herself, ' but I mean the rest of you.' 
 
 ' May we sit down ? ' said Dr. Maryland. ' Dane and I have 
 walked up from Mr. Falkirk's. Unless Dane likes to stand to 
 accommodate the cat ! ' said the Doctor, with a humorous 
 glance at the shoulder where pussy sat with shut eyes, purring 
 contentedly. 'It's a fair question, Hazel, and an easy 
 mistake. But, my dear, so far as I know, Prim and Arthur 
 and I have not kept anything. For myself,' said Dr. Mary- 
 land, lifting up a bright face, ' all that I have is my Master's. 
 I am not the owner even of myself. So long as his service 
 bids me use the things entrusted to me in the way I am doing, 
 I will use them so. And whenever his honour or his work 
 calls me to give up anything, or everything, of all these, my 
 home, my children, or my own life, I am ready. It is the 
 Lord's now ; he shall do with them all what he wilL Do you 
 understand ? ' 
 
 ' And Arthur and I would say the same,' added Primrose. 
 
 Her brother answered in the words so long ago written, so 
 many times lived out ' " Not a myself but Christ ; not a my 
 will but Christ. Not a mine ease, or my profit, or my 
 pleasure but Christ." ' 
 
 The girl looked from one to the other, as each spoke, with a 
 flash of sympathy, even as thoughts stir and kindle at the 
 sound of a bugle call, while yet they know not what it says. 
 But then she turned suddenly round and looked at Rollo. An 
 expectant look, that waited for him to speak, that gathered 
 or he fancied so a shade of disappointment as it turned away 
 again to the face on the wall. She sat silent, leaning her chiia
 
 TiTE LOSS OF ALL THINGS. 23*7 
 
 upon her bands. His look had been perfectly grave, thoughtful, 
 and quiet, but otherwise did not reveal itself. There was a 
 general silence. Then Dr. Maryland said 
 
 ' Do you understand the paradox, my dear ? ' 
 
 ' I think I must be the paradox myself,' Hazel answered, with 
 a half-laugh. ' I could do that I could bear the arrows I 
 think I could. But you never saw anybody, sir, that liked 
 giving up anything less than I do ! ' 
 
 ' You would rather bear the arrows than the cords,' said Dr. 
 Arthur Maryland. ' It is easier.' 
 
 ' Depends on the people,' said Primrose. 
 
 ' " As having nothing, and yet possessing all things ! " ' Dr. 
 Maryland added, rather dreamily. 
 
 ' I suppose,' said Rollo, with a moment's deep look into Wych 
 Hazel's eyes, 'the free spirit is beyond bonds.' 
 
 ' That is it, my boy ! ' exclaimed Dr. Maryland. ' Think, 
 when Paul and Silas were it the dungeon at Philippi, a 
 dreary place, most likely ; and they, beaten and bleeding and 
 sore, stretched and confined in the wooden frame which I 
 suppose left them not one moment's ease, at midnight it was, 
 they fell to such singing and praising that the other prisoners 
 waked up and listened to hear the song.' 
 
 Hazel crossed her slender wrists and sat looking at them, 
 imagining the bonds. 
 
 ' Do you think it is all in me ? ' she said, with another sudden 
 appeal to Rollo. 
 
 Rollo was not a man fond of wearing his heart upon his 
 sleeve. Another momentary glance went through her eyes, as 
 it were, and was withdrawn, before he gave a short, grave 
 ' Yes.' Hazel went back to her musings without another word, 
 and only the least bit of a triumphant curl about the corners 
 of her mouth. 
 
 ' I wonder how it would feel 1 ' she said, crossing and un- 
 crossing her hands. 
 
 'What?' said Primrose. 
 
 ' Bonds and chains,' said the girl, clasping her wrist tight. 
 ' To have my hands tied ! ' 
 
 'You are not calted upon to find out, my dear,' said Dr.
 
 238 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 Maryland; 'that is not required of you. But remember, 
 Hazel, no bonds are heavy that Love wears.' 
 
 'Depends upon how they get on, sir,' she said quickly. 
 
 ' What ? ' said the Doctor, with a somewhat comic twinkle 
 coming into his eye. ' How is that? ' 
 
 * I hate bonds, Dr. Maryland, from the very bottom of my 
 heart.' 
 
 ' You have never worn the sort I spoke of, my dear,' he said, 
 smiling. ' I never heard anybody complain of them. ' 
 
 ' What sort ? ' said Hazel. ' Bonds are bonds.' 
 
 ' But Love likes her bonds,' said the Doctor. 
 
 The girl shook her head. ' She likes her way, sir, in my 
 case. When Mr. Falkirk forbids me to well, no matter what 
 --to do something,' she said, dropping her eyes, ' I do suppose 
 I obey better than if I didn't love him. But I hate it, all the 
 same. It makes me feel like my name,' she added, with a 
 laugh. 
 
 'Love likes her bonds,' the Doctor repeated, shaking his 
 head. 
 
 'And the arrow that is weighted flies freest against the 
 wind,' Kollo remarked. 
 
 ' What do you mean by that ? ' said Primrose. ' Duke, you 
 look very funny with that cat upon your shoulder.' 
 
 ' Passy likes it,' said Rollo. 
 
 ' Dane, have you finished your business with Hazel ? ' said 
 Dr. Maryland. ' I must be going presently.' 
 
 ' Well, sir, if Prim and Arthur will excuse me.' 
 
 He brought himself, pussy cat and all, to a chair by Wych 
 Hazel's side. The others drew off a little. 
 
 'I am going away,' he said. 'Business takes me to New 
 York for a week or two, possibly to Chicago, but I hope not. 
 I hope to bring your horses back with me. Do you want to 
 give me any directions respecting them ? ' 
 
 ' Directions ? I think not. yes ! ' said Hazel, touching her 
 fingers to the cat's head and instantly withdrawing them ; ' I 
 want my pony to be very fast. Because' but there she 
 stopped. 
 
 Well? 1 said he.
 
 THE LOSS OF ALL THINGS. 239 
 
 ' That is all.' 
 
 ' It is unfinished.' 
 
 ' Cannot you do anything without knowing why? ' 
 
 ' Unbusinesslike. But I'll do my best.' 
 
 ' Well,' said Hazel, ' I told Mr. Falkirk. Of course 1 like to 
 go fast, for its own sake ; and then, if I ever had to ride for 
 my life ! ' 
 
 It was spoken so demurely that only her cheeks betrayed 
 her. Over their treason the girl grew impatient. 
 
 ' I just want a fast horse. Don't you know what that means, 
 without explanation? ' 
 
 ' Why, no,' said he, probably enjoying his advantage, though 
 he held it after his usual undemonstrative fashion, excepting 
 that his eyes took a further advantage which none others ever 
 did, no flattery in them, nor conventional deference, and 
 nothing like Dr. Maryland's benign regard or Mr. Falkirk's 
 watchful one. Those eyes went down into hers with a sort of 
 grave taking possession or holding it, something more than 
 benignity, and coming much nearer than watchf ulness. Kollo's 
 manner had often an undefmable tinge of the same expression. 
 1 There are so many sorts of fast horses,' he went on. ' Do you 
 want to run for your life ? or canter ? or trot ? ' 
 
 ' Trot in ordinary, run upon occasion.' 
 
 1 Is trotting your favourite gait? ' 
 
 ' It is more like the wind,' said Wych Hazel. ' I remember 
 one good canter ; but all the rest make one think of the snail 
 that went forward three feet and back two.' 
 
 ' You must have had an experience ! I'll try and secure both 
 for you ; but I may not be able, just at first. Don't you want 
 to take pussy into safe keeping again ? I am afraid she would 
 not approve of my further companionship.' 
 
 ' Well, give her to me, then,' she said, holding out her hands. 
 He smiled a little at that, dislodged pussy, and placed her in 
 them, then rose up and offered her his own. 
 
 A party of gentlemen came up the steps as Dr. Maryland and 
 his companions went down. Clearly the thoughtful time of 
 the morning was at an end.
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 
 m THE GERMAN. 
 
 THERE come sometimes, in certain lives, certain days and weeks 
 which seem to be all adrift and beyond legislation. The people 
 who might exercise control, cannot; and the people will not, who 
 can ; and so the hours sweep on in a rushing stream of events 
 and consequences, which every now and then flings somebody 
 upon the rocks. Or it may be, in very happy cases, only some 
 thing ; but until this is made sure, the lookers-on feel anxious. 
 So felt Mr. Falkirk, a prisoner still with his lame ankle ; so 
 felt (probably) Mr. Rollo, called suddenly away by business a 
 hundred miles off. So certainly felt Mrs. By wank, watching 
 her young lady with motherly eyes. But the young lady her- 
 self felt quite at ease, and, as she had said, ' content.' Why 
 not ? With flowers by day, and serenades by night ; with game 
 from every bag, and trout from every hook ; with cavaliers 
 starting up out of greensward and woodland whenever she 
 went out; with carriages and horsemen always at the door when 
 she was at home. The serenades, indeed, were shared impar- 
 tially with Mr. Falkirk and Gotham ; for Wych Hazel still kept 
 her room in the cottage, and was there by night. But the days 
 were often spent in the house on the hill ; and the distance 
 between the two was often to say the least not made alone. 
 The new saddle-horses had not yet arrived, and no others were 
 countenanced by Mr. Falkirk ; but such walks had their facili- 
 ties, even without the possible indoor extensions which some- 
 times took place. And, for evening purposes, an equipage had 
 been arranged, which relieved Miss Kennedy of all dependence 
 on her neighbours. Mr. Falkirk's prostrate condition pre- 
 vented her giving any entertainments as yet ; but she went 
 MO
 
 IN THE GERMAN. 241 
 
 everywhere, with Gotham grim and trusty upon the box ; 
 and more and more the days as they went OB brought every- 
 body to her feet. It was excellent fun! For it is really 
 delightful to be liked; and admiring looks that you cannot 
 quite meet have yet their fascination, and the words you scarce 
 hear, their charm. Altogether there was a strong flavour of 
 enchantment abroad, and it seemed probable that the prince 
 was somewhere. The princess had not seen him yet, that she 
 knew of ; but undoubtedly she was learning that some day she 
 might. Yet Hazel took the knowledge in a pretty way. Too 
 innately true to flirt, too warm-hearted to trifle, too real a 
 woman to follow in the steps of Kitty Fisher ; and, it may be 
 said, thinking far too much of herself to descend from her 
 vantage ground of feminine reserve. Perhaps there was no 
 one thing which caught and held her admirers like this : the 
 real girlish dignity which made them keep their proper distance. 
 The most unscrupulous of them all would as soon have dared 
 anything as to venture (to her) an unauthorized touch, or a 
 word that savoured of freedom. So far, she went safe through 
 the fire. If she could have known, poor child, what sort of a 
 fire it was, if her thoughts had even dimly imagined what men 
 old in the world may be, no kid glove nor silken tissue would 
 have been deemed thick enough to fend off the contact. But 
 she knew nothing of all that, except by the instinct which now 
 and then gave her a sudden sheer. As it was, she was intensely 
 amused, and half out of her wits with fun and frolic and utter 
 lightheartedness, seeing no harm, imagining no evil, quite 
 regardless of Mrs. Bywank's wise maxim, that what men of 
 sense disapprove, a woman as a rule had better not do. 
 And for a while there were not men of sense at hand to give 
 her counsel. 
 
 Mr. Falkirk looked on from too great a distance to point his 
 strictures ; Gotham's grumbles over the serenades and the 
 cavaliers only helped the excitement. And since Mr. Falkirk 
 would not let her fling "her written thanks out of the window, 
 the spoken thanks followed as a matter of course, and effected 
 quite as much. 
 
 And yet, you will say, no harm came, and everything was as it 
 Q
 
 242 \VYCH HAZEL. 
 
 should be. Well, there are some who plunge through the mud 
 ankle-deep, and there are others that go but over-shoe, and 
 here aud there one that crosses on tiptoe ; but you would rather 
 that they all chose a better road. And intoxication is not a 
 good thing, whatever may be the means thereto ; and the 
 sweet, fresh years of which Dr. Maryland had spoken were 
 quite too precious to be spun off to the music of Strauss, or 
 wilted down by late hours, or given up wholly to hearing that 
 Miss Kennedy was the one of all the world. Not so do natures 
 enlarge and characters develope to their fairest proportions ; not 
 so do souls grow strong and noble for the coming work of life. 
 
 Kitty Fisher was not exactly jealous of all this, or had too 
 much sense to shew it ; but deep in her heart she did wish she 
 could dismount Wych Hazel from her pedestal, that compari- 
 sons might be made on level ground. Kitty would not have 
 been timid for the world ; and yet the shy blushes which came 
 as freely as ever to Miss Kennedy's cheeks did somehow give 
 her a pang. And while nothing could have bought off her 
 daring speech and behaviour, she yet knew it was a pretty 
 thing to have the deference which always approached the young 
 lady of Chickaree. 
 
 4 1 must get that out of her,' she said to herself. ' She's 
 bound to give it up. Wait till I get her fairly into the German !' 
 
 And so far she succeeded, Miss Kennedy did get ' fairly in,' 
 but as yet the rest of the plan had failed. Hazel danced, 
 aud led, and followed in the wildest gaiety, within certain 
 limits; beyond them she would not go, meeting all Kitty 
 Fisher's proposals with a look of incredulous disgust and sur- 
 prise that generally cut short the business for that time. And 
 gentlemen who stood by laughed and applauded ; and if Hazel 
 had known just why they clapped hands, and just what she 
 was avoiding, she would hare wanted to stand no longer in 
 their neighbourhood just then. 
 
 Balls followed dinners, and one German came close on the 
 heels of another, with picnics, boating parties, croquet parties, 
 and open-air breakfasts ; and everywhere the young queen 
 held her court, with beauty, and grace, and money, and a 
 faultless toilet.
 
 IN THE GERMAN. 243 
 
 Now, in the selfishness of this self-seeking world, our interest 
 in a thing, our judgment of it, does very much depend upon 
 its connection with ourselves. Have we any shares in the field 
 for sale ? If not, why, manage it as you will, sunshine and 
 clouds are alike to us. But if we have, the interest of the 
 matter changes at once, and we are colour-blind no more. 
 
 Following upon sundry other festivities came a brilliant 
 German at Mme. Lasalle's. Thither came everybody in proper 
 time ; thither, rather late, and fresh-returned from his journey, 
 came Mr. Eollo. And, making his way easily along, through 
 rooms ablaze with light and almost faint with flowers, he 
 reached a point where 'The Thread of Destiny' was in full 
 progress, tangling itself up about Wych Hazel. It was impos- 
 sible not to make her the centre of the group, though six ladies 
 stood there together; and about them all, one end of a long 
 white riband in his hand, danced Mr. Nightingale not say- 
 ing exactly 
 
 ' I wind, I wind, 
 Hoping my true love to find' 
 
 but perhaps thinking it in his heart ; for when coil after coil 
 had gone round the blooming prisoners, and the white sheen 
 came suddenly to an end at Wych Hazel, it was with very 
 evident satisfaction that Mr. Nightingale took her hand and led 
 her out, his partner by the thread of destiny. 
 
 Nothing could be prettier than she was through it all, 
 neither giggling nor smirking nor making remarks like Miss 
 Powder and the rest ; her lovely shoulders veiled beyond all 
 reach of criticism ; her eyes intent upon the riband, her 
 thoughts intent upon the game, so that when all came to a 
 climax at her, she laughed right out, the merriest laugh of 
 glee and satisfaction. Very pretty ! was it anything more ? 
 Do you (apart from dancing) give your daintiest possessions 
 into common hands? Why, you will not let a servant, even, 
 dust the china shepherdess on your mantelpiece! But any 
 hands that you know and any that you don't know ! may 
 touch and clasp and support the young daughters and sisters 
 of your love, and whirl them about the room as you would not 
 "have your shepherdess treated for all the world.
 
 244 TVYCH HAZEL. 
 
 Cajolements did not avail that evening to induce Mr. Rollo 
 to dance, and they were tried. He was in what Wych Hazel 
 might have called a very Spanish mood. Not to her ; indeed, 
 he never approached her, nor sought to interrupt the preten- 
 sions of those who crowded round her, courting her favour and 
 worshipping her pleasure, and craving to be made ministers of 
 the same. She was in a throng, and he did not try to penetrate 
 it. Why he stayed so long was a mystery; for what is a 
 German if you do not dance ? He was not a mere idle spectator, 
 nor idle at all, it is true ; he made himself busy enough, taking 
 elderly ladies to supper, and serving younger ones with beef -tea ; 
 but those are not engrossing amusements. Mme. Lasalle de- 
 clared he was very useful, and watched to see what it meant , 
 but beyond that he could not be seen to look at anybody in 
 particular, she could resolve herself of nothing. Certainly he 
 took leave a little before Wych Hazel left the room : they were 
 not together, the lady was sure.
 
 CHAPTER XXVI. 
 
 IN THE ROCKAWAY. 
 
 \ViiEN, however, a little later, that young lady came forth to 
 her carriage, attended as usual by a retinue of servitors, a 
 single figure was standing by her carriage door. He stood 
 aside to let the devotees put Wych Hazel into the little rock- 
 away, which was her sole present equipage ; but when the last 
 words had been said, and the last man stepped back, Rollo stood 
 at the door before Dingee had time to shut it. 
 
 ' "\Vill you give me a seat as far as Mr. Falkirk's ?' he said, 
 looking in. 
 
 Now, when you have not seen a person for six weeks or so, 
 a request for a seat in your carriage is not generally the open- 
 ing remark ; and Wych Hazel paused in a sort of astonishment. 
 Then another thing made her hesitate. 
 
 1 If you will answer it to Mr. Falkirk,' she said. You know 
 I am forbidden to give any one a seat in my carriage. Have 
 you a special permit, Mr. Rollo ?' 
 
 ' I never ask for what I cannot have,' he said, jumping in. 
 And then he offered her his hand. * How do you do ?' 
 
 ' Very well. I should think that must make you an adept 
 in Prim's beloved art of waiting,' said Wych Hazel. 
 
 ' If the lesson must be learned, I would rather wait before 
 asking. After that, I believe I do not know how to practise it. 
 How do you feel about waiting for your horses ?' 
 
 ' Feeling is dead, and impatience is all tired out with hard 
 work and want of sympathy. So it is pretty quiet just now.' 
 
 ' Want of sympathy ?' said he inquiringly. 
 
 ' Yes. I used to fume about it a little, but Mr. Falkirk only 
 said, " My dear," and a few other things of a cooling nature.'
 
 246 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 ' I believe I have brought you what you will like.' 
 
 ' Oh, have you?' said the girl, with her musical intonations, 
 and a degree of eagerness which spoke impatience in fair con- 
 dition. ' You are very good to take so much trouble, Mr. 
 Rollo ! But I am more glad than you can imagine.' 
 
 ' Then I am very glad,' said he. ' Will you trust me to drive 
 you the rest of the way, if I displace Mr. Gotham ? I share 
 your infirmity of impatience sometimes.' 
 
 ' An infirmity, you call it ? Well, displace anybody you like 
 but me,' said Wych Hazel, arranging herself in a small luxury 
 of fatigue against the not too luxurious back of the rockaway. 
 Her companion was silent a few minutes until the carriage 
 passed out from the Moscheloo grounds and had gone a few 
 rods ; then he tapped Mr. Falkirk's factotum on the shoulder. 
 
 * Mr. Gotham,' said he, in tones of pleasant authority, ' I 
 can't stand anybody's driving but my own to-night. Stop, if 
 you please. You and Dingee may take a place with my man ; 
 my trap is just behind. Tell him to keep close and follow.' 
 
 'Sony to do h'anything that looks un'ansome, sir,' said 
 Gotham, swallowing his surprise with the adroitness of long 
 practice, ' but I 'ave Miss 'Azel in charge, sir.' 
 
 * You had, my friend. I will relieve you. Come, jump out, 
 and don't keep your young lady waiting.' The voice was of 
 calm authority, which most people understand and obey. And 
 Wych Hazel laughed. 
 
 ' I'm sure I can't say what Mr. Falkirk will think, sir 1' said 
 Gotham, in a displeased voice. ' 'Owever, I will h'assume it's 
 h'all right, sir. Though why he couldn't drive his own team, 
 if he'd such an 'ankering for the ribands,' he muttered to 
 Dingee as he got down, ' I'm sure is a perplexity. 1 
 
 * Wanted to drive Missee Hazel,' said Dingee, climbing like a 
 cat into the other conveyance, and proceeding to drive Mr. 
 Rollo's man nearly out of his wits. ' You never does sound de 
 gen'lman, Mas' Gotham. Telled you so long ago.' 
 
 Having got his wish, Mr. Rollo drove regularly enough for a 
 mile or two, till all carriages going their way had passed before 
 or dropped behind or turned off, and they had the road entirely 
 to themselves. The moon was riding high, and though an old
 
 IN THE ROCKAWAY. 247 
 
 moon, gave enough light to make driving a thing of no diffi- 
 culty. Thus far Eollo had driven in comparative silence, with 
 only a word or two occasionally to Wych Hazel. He had not 
 removed himself by any means out of her companionship, but, 
 throwing himself sideways on the front seat of the carriage, 
 looked sometimes out and sometimes in. Now, when the road 
 was their own, and the old horse could find his way along with 
 very little guiding, and the moonlight seemed to illuminate 
 nothing so much as the stillness, Rollo turned his head and 
 spoke. 
 
 ' Miss Kennedy, do you like to have people come suing to 
 you with petitions ?' 
 
 1 1 think I might, if I could answer them myself,' she said, 
 thinking of some that had been preferred that night. ' But 
 when my yes or no depends on somebody else, it is rather 
 stupid. One tires of a perpetual referee at one's back.' 
 
 ' This depends on nobody but you. But I am rushing into 
 the middle of things,' said Rollo, giving the old steed an inti- 
 mation that he need not absolutely fall back upon walking. 
 ' Miss Kennedy, I am coming to you with a great petition to- 
 night, and I am too impatient to wait for it.' 
 
 Mr. Rollo with a petition 1' said Wych Hazel. ' And 
 impatient ! Well, then why does he wait ?' 
 
 His voice told well enough why he waited, at least in part ; 
 the earnestness of it was so blended with not a little anxiety 
 and not a little tenderness. He spoke slowly. 
 
 ' Miss Hazel,' he said, ' you have neither father nor mother, 
 nor brother nor sister. I am almost as much alone in the 
 world. May I speak to you as one who knows what it means ?' 
 
 '" It " ? being alone ?' she said. 
 
 ' Just that. Having no one near enough to care or dear enough 
 to dare, what would be for your happiness. As it is so with 
 you, and I know it, may I for once step into the gap, without 
 being too severely punished by you for my venturing?' 
 
 'Why, I thought you always ventured everything!' she 
 said, sitting up now in her surprise, 
 
 ' Then shall I make my petition ? I never dared so much in 
 my life as I am daring now.'
 
 248 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 ' Of course you may make it,' said Wych Hazel. ' As fast as 
 you like. I shall begin to be impatient too.' 
 
 ' If you choose to question me for my reasons, I will have the 
 honour to give them. Or if you ask what right I have to 
 move in the matter, I will answer that too. 
 
 ' Beforehand ?' 
 
 ' Certainly. If you wish.' 
 
 'No matter,' she said, with a slight laugh, which was yet a 
 little disturbed. What was looming up behind this barricade 
 of preliminaries ? ' I thought you based your right just now 
 But never mind. Go on, please.' 
 
 He was silent nevertheless a minute, while the old horse 
 came to an unchallenged slow walk. Then Rollo ungloved his 
 right hand and held it out. 
 
 4 1 cannot see your face,' said he. * Give me your hand, so 
 that I may know, while I hold it, that you are not dis- 
 
 ' Why, Mr. Rollo !' said Hazel, with the same half -laugh, 
 1 you are very extraordinary 1 It strikes me your one petition 
 covers a good many. Must I take the glove off ? if you are 
 to be indulged.' 
 
 * There,' said he, taking her hand in the same warm, firm grasp 
 she had known before. ' I am going to ask you to promise me 
 something that it will not be pleasant to promise. Miss 
 Hazel,' speaking low and slowly, ' do not dance round dances 
 any more !' 
 
 The tone was low, also it was very earnest and very grave. 
 
 ' What?' she said, in a sort of but half -comprehend! ug way. 
 1 Why not ? what is the matter with them ? I am hardly the 
 least bit tired.' 
 
 ' You don't know !' he said, with a slight pressure of the 
 hand he held. ' You don't know. This is why not, Miss Hazel, 
 that I would not see my sister in them. Do you under- 
 stand?' 
 
 ' yes,' she answered. ' I have seen people before who did 
 not like dancing, two or three, perhaps. But there is always 
 somebody to dislike everything, I think. You do not enjoy it 
 yourself, Mr. Rollo, and so you do not know.'
 
 IN THE EOCKAWAY. 249 
 
 ' I have danced twenty dances where you have danced one. 
 I know what they are made of. You only know how they 
 look.' 
 
 ' Hardly that,' said Wych Hazel. ' I know a little how they 
 feel. I have never had an outside view, I believe.' 
 
 ' Can you do me the great honour to take my view and my 
 word for it?' 
 
 1 If you liked flying to music as well as I do, you would take 
 mine,' she said. ' Air is better than earth, when you can get 
 it.' 
 
 ' Do you think I would wish to interfere with your actions, 
 without reasons so strong that I can hardly express their sig- 
 nificance ? Believe me, if you knew these round dances as well 
 as I know them, you would never be mixed up in one of them 
 any more.' 
 
 ' Mixed up ?' said Wych Hazel. ' Do you suppose I do all 
 the wild things some people do, Mr. Rollo ?' 
 
 ' No,' he said ; but he left his plea standing. 
 
 ' Well, then, what is the matter ? If ever you hear of my 
 " exchanging hospitalities," I will give you leave for a lecture 
 a mile long.' 
 
 ' Your eyes are innocent eyes, and do not see. Can you not 
 trust me far enough to act upon my knowledge, and distrust 
 yours ?' 
 
 ' But trusting you does not make me distrust myself,' she 
 said. 'And even Prim confessed to me once that you do 
 occasionally make mistakes.' 
 
 ' I do not in this,' said he very gravely. ' Yet there is no 
 particular reason why you should believe me. Miss Kennedy, 
 you cannot continue this pastime, and keep yourself.' 
 
 ' What do you mean ? ' she said quickly. 
 
 ' You cannot remain just what you are.' 
 
 'Mr. Falkirk thinks there is room for improvement,' said 
 Wych Hazel, with some coldness ; ' but your words seem to 
 point the other way. Perhaps you will be kind enough to tell 
 me at once all that you think it needful I should hear in the 
 connection.' 
 
 ' You need not take that tone,' he said ; ' but perhaps I must
 
 250 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 displease you. Miss Kennedy, I Lave always thought of you 
 as one who would never permit a liberty to be taken with her.' 
 
 4 1 am happy that we agree for once,' she said, with a lift of 
 the eyebrows and a voice to match. ' It is precisely the way in 
 which I have always thought of myself.' 
 
 1 Follow that out ! ' said he, half -laughing, and at the same 
 time clasping a little closer the hand he held. 
 
 ' "Well, I have followed it out all my life. I never do, Mr. 
 Eollo.' 
 
 'Not knowingly. But How shall I tell you!' said he, 
 in a sort of despair. And the old horse found that it was 
 necessary for him to move on. 
 
 ' It must be said ! ' he broke out again, ' and there is no one 
 but me to do it. Miss Hazel, you allowed liberties to be taken 
 with you to-night.' 
 
 The little hand he was holding shrank perceptibly. Not 
 twitching itself away, but as it were withdrawing itself into 
 itself, and away from him. Otherwise she sat absolutely still. 
 
 'Unconsciously,' he went on. ' You did not know it. The 
 pleasure of the play kept you from knowing what it implied.' 
 
 ' Allowed, did you say? ' 
 
 ' Look back and think,' he said calmly. 
 
 ' As if they could without my knowing it ! ' she exclaimed. 
 1 As if they would ! ' 
 
 ' Look back and think,' he said. 
 
 'Well,' said Wych Hazel, 'look back and think! And I 
 find the most extreme deference, and nothing else that touches 
 the question. 1 
 
 He drew a sort of short, impatient sigh, and waited a mo- 
 ment. Then leaned over towards her again, and spoke slowly. 
 
 ' Six weeks ago,' he said, ' two little hands would not come 
 near enough to my shoulder to take the kitten from it. And 
 I loved them for the distance they kept.' 
 
 The girl drew suddenly back, freeing her hand now with a 
 swiftness that told of a deep hurt somewhere. For a moment 
 she did not speak, then only a breathless 
 
 'Well?' 
 
 ' Is that displeasure ? ' he said.
 
 IN THE KOCKAWAY. 251 
 
 'When have I shortened the distance?' But the words 
 were defiant with pain, not anger. And Rollo on his part 
 remained perfectly still and perfectly silent, not even seeming 
 to know how the old horse was going to please himself. 
 
 Nothing could have been more still, outwardly, than the 
 \vhite-robed figure in the corner, and nothing need be more 
 inwardly tumultuous. 
 
 ' If it was an open waggon,' she thought to herself, ' I should 
 jump out over the back or somewhere 1 ' Oh, this having men 
 talk to one 1 And what was he talking about ? and what had 
 she done? she, who had done nothing! Except 'dance 
 better than ever anybody danced before ! ' ' For the distance 
 they kept ? ' And when did not her hands keep their distance 
 from every one ? How many times that very evening had she 
 been voted ' cruel ' for refusing some favour which other girls 
 granted freely ? Mr. Rollo, too 1 who had praised her woman- 
 liness ! But with that the womanish element prevailed, and there 
 came a quiver of lip, and for an instant her hands were folded 
 across her eyes. Then down again, to hold each other in order. 
 
 And yet her hand had been on twenty shoulders that even- 
 ing, and twenty arms had encircled her ! 
 
 There was an interval of some length. 
 
 ' Miss Hazel,' said Rollo at length, and the voice was clear 
 and manly, ' have I offended you? ' 
 
 ' No,' under her breath. ' I suppose not.' 
 
 'Do you want me to give, if I can, some justification of 
 myself?' 
 
 ' There is none. Except that you did not mean to say what 
 you said.' 
 
 ' I meant no justification of my words,' he said gently but 
 steadily. ' If you want that, it is, that they were spoken to 
 save you from harm.' 
 
 'Ah!' she said with a half -cry, then checked herself. 
 ' What else does Mr. Rollo wish io justify ? ' 
 
 ' Only my right to speak them, if you did, as you might, 
 question it.' He paused a little, and went on. * I can give 
 you only half of my plea, but half will do. It is, that your 
 father and mother dearly loved mine.'
 
 252 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 It was all Hazel could do to hear her mother's name just 
 then. Her hands took a sudden grip of each other, but no 
 answer came. Not for some time ; then words low and softly 
 spoken 
 
 ' I think I asked for no plea, Mr. Rollo.' 
 
 4 Then, if you are content with it,' said he in a lighter tone, 
 ' give me your hand once more, only for a moment this time.' 
 
 She hesitated, then held it out. He bent down and gave it 
 a swift, earnest kiss ; after which he turned his attention to 
 his driving duties, for some time neglected ; till Mr. Falkirk's 
 cottage was gained. As he took Wych Hazel out of the car- 
 riage, he said 
 
 ' It's so late, if you don't forbid me, I am going up to my 
 old friend Mrs. Bywank, to ask her to give me lodging to- 
 night.' 
 
 Hazel bowed her head in token that he might do as he 
 pleased, giving no other reply. But it is safe to say that by 
 this time ideas, and thoughts, and feelings, and pain, and 
 'other things,' as she would have phrased it, were so inex- 
 tricably mixed up in the girl's head, that she hardly knew 
 which was which and which was not. She walked steadily in, 
 then gave about two springs to her brown corner room, and 
 locked the door.
 
 CHAPTER XXVII. 
 
 THE GERMAN AT OAK HILL. 
 
 MR. FALKIRK was not disturbed that night with being told 
 anything. But when the sun had risen, fair and clear over 
 the green world of Chickaree, and Gotham moved silently 
 about the breakfast- table, Mr. Falkirk might notice from his 
 sofa that but one cup and saucer stood on the tray, and but 
 one plate near to bear it company. If Mr. Falkirk's nerves 
 were not in order, they might have been tried: Gotham 
 certainly seemed to have borrowed the cat's shoes for the 
 occasion. 
 
 'Why don't you set the table as usual?' came pretty per- 
 emptorily from the sofa. 
 
 ' Miss 'Azel 'ave sent word she was h'asleep, sir,' said 
 Gotham, with extra dignity. 
 
 ' Then why don't you wait till she is awake, slowhead, as 
 usual ? It is not eight o'clock yet.' 
 
 ' H'also, that she 'as no h'intentions of h'ever waking h'up, 
 sir.' 
 
 So Mr. Falkirk took his breakfast with a dissatisfied mind. 
 For it is safe to say he was so accustomed by this time to his 
 gay little ward's company and ministrations, that coffee was 
 not coffee without her. Gotham did his duty in a more than 
 usually taciturn fashion, and Mr. Falkirk's breakfast was at an 
 end before the factotum unburdened his mind. 
 
 ' Beg pardon, sir,' he said, drawing himself up behind his 
 master ; ' but 'ow are your h'orders concerning Miss 'Azel to 
 be h'understood, sir?' 
 
 * Orders? ' said Mr. Falkirk. 
 
 4 You distinctly said and h'indicated, sir, that I was to drive
 
 254 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 Miss 'Azel to and from, sir, if my mind serves me,' saiJ 
 Gotham. 
 
 ' And if my mind serves me, you have driven her forty times.' 
 
 ' Quite correct, sir, and more,' said Gotham. ' The point 
 h'is, Mr. Falkirk, what's to be done when young gents come 
 taking the h' orders h'out of my very 'ands, sir ? ' 
 
 ' Knock 'em down.' 
 
 'The first natural h'impulse, sir. But put a case that 
 they're in the knockin' down style too ? then I'm left in the 
 road, and Miss 'Azel without a protector.' 
 
 ' Who's been knocking you down now, Gotham ? ' 
 
 'No one, sir; I 'ope I know my business better,' said 
 Gotham. ' I speak of the h'inevitable. And Mr. Rollo would 
 drive Miss 'Azel 'ome last night, and she gave me no better 
 h'assistance than one of her laughs, sir.' Clearly it rang in his 
 ears yet. 
 
 ' You had better not meddle with what don't belong to you, 
 my friend. If Miss Hazel had desired your assistance, it would 
 have been time enough to give it to her.' 
 
 'Very good, sir, h'all settled, sir ;' and Gotham carried off 
 the tray with a face of mixed perplexity and wisdom that was 
 funny to see. But the sunshine crept on through the little 
 study, and it was well-nigh time to set the table again, before 
 the door opened softly and Wych Hazel came in, two ex- 
 quisite roses in her cheeks ; in her hand by way of excuse a 
 basket of wonderful hothouse grapes. How glad she had been 
 to take them from Dingee at the door. 
 
 * Well, my dear ! ' said Mr. Falkirk, with an accent of un- 
 mistakeable pleasure, and something behind it, ' you have slept 
 long to-day. Were you home so late ? ' 
 
 ' I suppose it was late, sir. I lost no time, and so took no 
 note. How do you do to-day, Mr. Falkirk ? ' 
 
 ' Able to move, I think. I shall get about in a day or two 
 more.' 
 
 ' Here are some grapes, sir, to hasten the cure.' She put the 
 basket in his hand, and passed on to a low seat at the head of 
 the sofa. Mr. Falkirk looked at them, and his tone changed 
 to the accustomed growl.
 
 THE GERMAN AT OAK HILL. 255 
 
 4 Where are these from ? ' 
 
 ' Major Seaton, I believe, is responsible,' said the girl care- 
 lessly. 
 
 ' How many several people are after you at this present, 
 Miss Hazel?' 
 
 ' Difficult to say, sir, without more extensive inquiries than 
 I have made. Your words do not put an attractive face upon 
 the matter.' 
 
 'Is there any such thing in the lot?' asked Mr. Falkirk 
 discontentedly. 
 
 ' As an attractive face ? yes, sir, several. Quite a 
 number, I should say,' replied Miss Hazel, with a critical air. 
 
 ' And all of them at Moscheloo ? ' 
 
 ' All what, sir? Your English is hardly so pointed as usual, 
 if you will excuse me for saying it.' 
 
 ' You were speaking of attractive faces, my dear. I should 
 say that your syntax wanted attention.' 
 
 ' I did not know but you referred to " the lot," ' said Wych 
 Hazel. ' There was the usual mingling, I think, of attractive 
 and unattractive.' 
 
 Mr. Falkirk was silent till dinner was served, and then 
 attended to that. 
 
 'Mr. Falkirk,' Hazel began suddenly, when Gotham had 
 retired, ' / believe you could move now. Come ! go with me 
 to Oak Hill to-night, will you, sir ? ' 
 
 ' Oak Hill ! ' said her guardian. ' Mrs. Seaton's? What is to 
 be done there?' 
 
 ' A promenade concert nominally.' 
 
 ' That sounds something to me like a dancing dinner. What 
 does it mean, my dear ? ' 
 
 ' Just what I said, in the first place, sir. If Kitty Fisher 
 and the Powders are there, it may turn into something else.' 
 
 ' And what does a promenade concert turn into when it is 
 enchanted?' said Mr. Falkirk. 
 
 ' A succession of dances it might.' 
 
 ' Well, my dear, what should I do in a succession of dances ?' 
 
 She laughed just a little. Laughs were not ready to-, 
 night. ' Sit still, sir, and watch me.'
 
 256 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 ' It strikes me I do enough of that as it is, without going to 
 Oak Hill. Do you want more than you will have to watch 
 you?' 
 
 The word jarred. She was silent a minute. Then earnestly 
 
 ' I wish you would, Mr. Falkirk.' 
 
 A new expression on Mr. Falkirk's face shewed that a new 
 idea had occurred to him. 
 
 ' What does this mean ? ' he asked gently, bending on his 
 ward one of his keen looks from under the thick eyebrows. 
 
 She answered without looking at him 
 
 ' It means what it says, sir. 1 
 
 4 What is the matter, my dear ? ' came more sympathizingly 
 than Mr. Falkirk's wont. It was even a little low and tender. 
 
 ' Why, Mr. Falkirk, is it such an unreasonable request, that 
 you should be so keen after reasons ? ' 
 
 4 1 do not know that it is unreasonable, but you know that 
 it is unwonted. You have not been apt to wish for more 
 guarding than you have had, Miss Hazel. Cannot you tell me 
 what makes you desire it now ? ' 
 
 Mr. Falkirk did not growl now, nor draw his brows together; 
 he was in patient earnest, seeing cause. 
 
 ' I did not say to guard me, sir. Sometimes,' said Hazel, 
 choosing her words, ' sometimes it might be pleasant to have 
 somebody in the room to whom I was supposed to belong 
 just a little bit. How do you like Major Seaton's grapes, Mr. 
 Falkirk?' 
 
 Mr. Falkirk drew his brows together now, and, spite of his 
 weak ankle, got up and paced across the floor thoughtfully. 
 Then came to a sudden stop in front of Wych Hazel. 
 
 ' Has anybody annoyed you ? ' he asked. 
 
 ' By " annoyed " you mean ? ' 
 
 ' Made you feel the want of a protector, or somebody, as 
 you say, that you belong to?' Mr. Falkirk's brows were draw- 
 ing very thick together indeed. 
 
 ' No, I think not,' she answered. ' Not intentionally. 
 People are very good to me, very respectful, I believe. But 
 I must go and see that my dress is in order. I shall wear 
 blue to-night, Mr. Falkirk, and you like blue.' She made
 
 THE GEIIMAN AT OAK HILL. 257 
 
 him a profound little courtesy, and danced off out of the 
 room. 
 
 Mr. Falkirk's cogitations, to judge by his eyebrows, were 
 also profound, when his ward had left him alone. They did 
 not issue in any resolve to re-enter the gay world, however, 
 which had never been Mr. Falkirk's sphere ; and Miss Kennedy 
 went to Oak Hill alone. Had she been made to ' feel her want 
 of a protector ' ? On the contrary ! Or ' annoyed ' in any 
 other sense? That was far too soft a word. And so she 
 stepped from her carriage in company with many thoughts, 
 and came out upon the assembled light and colour as stately 
 as if she had been the only right line in the universe. A bevy 
 of her friends were round her directly. 
 
 ' Hazel,' said Phinny Powder, ' we are going to run this 
 concern into a German as soon as it has run long enough in its 
 own name. I am so glad you are here ; and in blue. Keep 
 near me, won't you, because it'll just set me off, and some 
 dresses kill me.' 
 
 ' How can she keep near you, you giddy creature ? ' said 
 Mrne. Lasalle. ' Hazel ' (whispering), * Stuart bade me engage 
 you to lead the German with him. May I tell him you will ? ' 
 
 ' 0, Hazel,' cried Josephine again, 'we are going to have 
 such fun. Kitty is going to let us into some new figures, and 
 they are considerably jolly, I tell you ! ' 
 
 ' Are they ? ' said Hazel. ' But the music comes first, Mme. 
 Lasalle, and I may not stay for the German. And I have 
 promised the first walk to Mr. May.' 
 
 ' Not stay for the German ! ' ' Not stay for the German ? ' 
 was echoed in so many various tones of despair that it had to 
 be announced again. 
 
 ' I only said I might not,' said Wych Hazel. ' Good even- 
 ing, Mr. May.' And Miss Kennedy swept off, to the opening 
 burst of music from the band. 
 
 Now there are other sounds besides music at a promenade 
 concert, and many things not strictly harmonious are said and 
 done under cover of its trombones and violins. Wych Hazel 
 indeed walked unremittingly, it suited her mood that night ; 
 but many sat and talked, very regardless of the music, and not
 
 258 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 too mindful of other ears. And so after a while a group 
 gathered round Kitty Fisher, to discuss the coming German 
 and pick up a few hints touching the promised new figures. 
 TVych Hazel had just passed, escorted on either hand: her 
 dark-blue robe and white laces setting her off to perfection. 
 For a minute eyes alone were busy. 
 
 4 That girl provokes me tc death with her high dresses ! ' said 
 Kitty Fisher. ' Such ridiculous nonsense ! ' 
 
 4 I'm not so sure as to that,' said Miss May. ' Dick raves 
 about it.' 
 
 'Dick raves about her altogether,' said Kitty, ' so of course 
 he has to include her dress.' 
 
 'Well, George said that other shoulders might as well 
 retire if hers ever came fairly out,' said little Molly Seaton, 
 who was taking her first sips of society, and looked up to 
 Miss Kennedy as the eighth and ninth wonder of the world 
 combined. 
 
 ' I don't care,' said Kitty Fisher, ' I'll have 'em out ! I vow 
 I will It's a fraud on society.' 
 
 4 Society can afford to be a loser now and then,' said Mr. 
 Kingsland, softly insinuating himself among the ladies ; 4 it 
 gets so much more than its due between whiles ! ' 
 
 4 It's prudish,' said Phinny, disregarding this sentiment, 
 4 that's what it is. Do you suppose it's that old wretch of a 
 guardian keeps her in leading-strings? Now she talks of not 
 staying to the German.' 
 
 4 The Sorceress is in one of her moods to-night,' said Mr. 
 Kingsland. 4 Murky. Flashes coming so thick and fast, that I 
 declare I've been winking all the evening.' 
 
 'Stephen,' said Miss Kitty, 4 if you'll help get up the 
 41 Handkerchief " by and by, and get her into the thick of it 
 before she knows where she's going, I'll give you the first pair 
 of blue gloves I can spare.' 
 
 4 Great offer,' said Mr. Kingsland ; ' but to-night the Sor- 
 ceress prefers walking.' 
 
 4 Stuff ! who cares what she prefers ? ' 
 
 1 Some nine-tenths and a fraction of all the men here, 
 myself included,' said Mr. Kingsland.
 
 THE GERMAN AT OAK HILL. 259 
 
 1 You are the fraction, or you'd manage it,' retorted Kitty. 
 4 It's doubtful if she would dance with you. 1 
 
 4 She will not dance with anybody this night,' said Mr. 
 Kiugsland. 
 
 4 How do you know ? ' 
 
 4 Said so. And what Miss Kennedy has said, she does.' 
 
 4 Why, she couldn't dance in that long train,' said Molly 
 Seaton. 
 
 4 Little goose!' said Kitty Fisher, 4 she would hang that 
 over her partner's arm.' 
 
 4 Would she ! ' said Mr. Kingsland, with a slight whistle. 
 ' I asked her to do it once : I think I shall not again.' 
 
 4 She'd rather talk to six men than dance with one, I sup- 
 pose,' said Miss Fisher, eyeing the girl who stood now leaning 
 against a tree in the distance. 
 
 ' And the post of the seventh looks so inviting 1 ' said Mr. 
 Kingsland, rising and strolling off. 
 
 ' Isn't it too much ! ' said Kitty Fisher. ' See here, girls and 
 boys, listen, 1 and heads and voices too went down below 
 recognition. 
 
 A little later in the evening, Gotham, from his seclusion in 
 the servants' quarters, was summoned to speak to a lady. He 
 found awaiting him, not his mistress, but a wonderful pyramid 
 of white tarletan, from which issued a voice. 
 
 4 Miss Hazel is going to spend the night with Mrs. Seaton, 
 and she sends you word that you may go home and come back 
 for her at eight o'clock in the morning.' 
 
 ' Ain't that clever ? ' said Phinny to the cavalier on whose 
 arm she leaned, as they retraced their way towards the lighted 
 portion of the grounds. ' Now I have disposed of one trouble.' 
 
 All unconscious of this machination, Wych Hazel kept on her 
 walk the only thing she could decide to do to-night. In fact, 
 the girl hardly knew her own mood. Of course the strictures 
 that had been made were all unfounded, as touching her ; but 
 the words had given such pain at the time, that the very idea 
 of dancing made her wince as if she heard them again. That 
 would wear off, of course, but for the present she would walk ; 
 and had, as Molly guessed, put on her long train as a token.
 
 260 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 But when the concert began to tend towards the German, 
 another fancy seized her : to stay and look on and get that 
 outside view which was almost unknown. And so when the 
 first set was forming she released Major Seaton for his partner, 
 and again took Mr. May's arm and walked towards the dancers. 
 
 ' My dear,' said Mme. Lasalle, coming up on the other side, 
 1 are you not dancing ? ' 
 
 ' As you see, Madame ! ' said Hazel, with a slight bend and 
 laugh. 
 
 ' You not dancing ! What's the matter ? ' 
 
 'Well you will find it is a freak, or I tired myself last 
 night, or I want to make a sensation according to whom you 
 ask,' said Wych Hazel. 
 
 ' You are not forbidden ? ' whispered the lady, in a lower 
 tone. 
 
 ' No, Madame.' 
 
 ' You seem to have so many guardians,' the lady went on, 
 ' and guardians are selfish, my dear ; horribly selfish. For 
 that, I think all men are, whether guardians or not.' 
 
 ' Just now,' said Wych Hazel, ' I am the selfish one, keep- 
 ing Mr. May from dancing.' Which supposed view of the case 
 Mr. May, like a wise man, did not try to answer just then. 
 
 The German began. One or two ordinary figures first, but 
 watched by Wych Hazel with eager eyes. 
 
 'Yes, of course!' she said to herself, as Kitty Fisher went 
 round with her head on her partner's shoulder, ' if he thought 
 I did that.' Could he think it? the little white glove tips so 
 nearly withdrew themselves from the black coat-sleeve they 
 were touching, that Mr. May turned to ask if she was tired and 
 wished to sit down. 
 
 But motions that were pretty to look at followed: each 
 couple in turn passing through an avenue of little coloured 
 flags, which, held out by the motionless couples on either side, 
 met and crossed over the heads of the dancers. Down came 
 Stuart Nightingale and Miss Fisher, and Mr. Burr and Phinny 
 Powder, and Major Seaton and Miss May, Wych Hazel looked 
 on, smiling, and with a stir of her little right foot. How often 
 she had come down just so 1 Then began a figure that she did
 
 THE GERMAN AT OAK HILL. 261 
 
 not know: they were going to 'practise,' Kitty Fisher called 
 out, recommending her to come. 
 
 ' You won't know how next time.' 
 
 ' Thank you, I can learn by looking on.' 
 
 And so she stood still and watched. Watched to see the 
 ladies, armed with long reins and a whip, driving their partners 
 cheerfully from point to point, with appropriate gestures and 
 sounds and frolic. The little bells tinkled gleefully, the many- 
 coloured leading-strings mingled in a kaleidoscope pattern. 
 
 1 Symbolical,' Mr. Kingsland remarked, standing near. 
 ' This is the " Bridle " figure, Miss Kennedy.' 
 
 ' Unbridled ' would be a better name, Miss Kennedy thought, 
 but she said not a word ; only her lips curled disdainfully. 
 But, 'driving men is easy work,' as Phinny Powder said, and 
 so this ' practice ' soon gave way to another still more striking. 
 The ladies ranged themselves, standing well apart from each 
 other, and among the gentlemen was a general flutter of white 
 handkerchiefs. "What were they going to do? 'Bonds 'was 
 the word that occurred to Hazel this time, as she stood leaning 
 a little forward in interested expectation. And so it proved, 
 but not just as she had expected. To be tied by the hand 
 would be bad enough, but by the foot ! and yet, yes, cer- 
 tainly Major Seaton's handkerchief was round Kitty Fisher's 
 pretty ankle to the discomfiture of several other handkerchiefs 
 of like intentions, and Miss Powder had Stuart Nightingale at 
 her feet, and Phinny 
 
 But who did it for whom, Wych Hazel scarcely thought until 
 afterwards. She looked on for a minute at the scuffling, 
 laughing, romping ; then drew back with a deep flush. 
 
 'Did they think they could do that with me/' she said, 
 under her breath. And what could her companion do but feel 
 ashamed of every man he had ever seen do ' that ' for any 
 woman ? 
 
 The course of things was changed after a time by Mr. Night- 
 ingale's coming ,up and asking her to walk. He had made over 
 the ' practice ' to somebody else, professing that he knew the 
 figures already. Perhaps somewhat in his companion's manner 
 struck him, for he remarked, quite philosophically, as they
 
 262 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 moved into the shadow of the shrubbery, that 'society is a 
 problem ! ' 
 
 4 Is it ? ' said Hazel, to whom problems (out of books) were 
 as yet in & happy distance. ' What needs solution, Mr. Night- 
 ingale?' 
 
 ' Is it possible you do not see ? ' 
 
 ' Not a bit. I did not know society was deep enough to be 
 called a problem.' 
 
 ' " Glissez, mortels ; n'appuyez pas." ' 
 
 4 Well, people do not,' said Wych HazeL 
 
 4 And had best not. Nothing is more graceful than tlie state 
 of bold and brave innocence.' 
 
 Hazel mused a little at that, half unconsciously getting up a 
 problem of her own. Was he talking of her 4 innocence ' ? did 
 he, too, see things which she did not? And was this another 
 warning? Yet no one more forward to draw her into round 
 dances than Stuart Nightingale. He began again in another 
 tone. 
 
 4 You are determined not to dance to-night ? 
 
 4 Yes. Am I part of the problem ? ' 
 
 He laughed a little. ' You would not be a true woman if 
 you were not.' 
 
 4 You may as well give up trying to understand me' said 
 Wych Hazel gaily. 4 Mr. Falkirk and I have been at it for 
 years, and the puzzle is a puzzle yet.' 
 
 4 Confess, you like to be a puzzle.' 
 
 'One may as well make the best of one's natural advantages,' 
 said Hazel with a laugh. ' I suppose if I were what people 
 call " limpid," and " transparent," I might like that, too.' But 
 the clear girlish purity of the depths referred to was as trans- 
 parent as the summer blue. 
 
 4 Have you ever been told,' said Stuart, lowering his voice a 
 little, 4 of your very remarkable resemblance to one of the 
 greatest puzzles of history ? ' 
 
 ' No,' said Hazel. 4 And you do not know me well enough 
 to tell what I resemble.' 
 
 4 Pardon me pardon me ! Do you think I could not have 
 told, after that one first meeting in the wood?'
 
 THE GERMAN AT OAK HILL. 263 
 
 'If you could,' said Wych Hazel, with a lift of her eyebrows, 
 1 1 cannot imagine how society can be a problem to you, Mr. 
 Nightingale.' 
 
 'There never was but one woman, of those whose pictures 
 have come down to us, Avhose mouth could be at once BO 
 mischievous and so sweet. You are aware, the mouth is the 
 index to the character?' 
 
 Hazel answered with some reserve (direct compliments 
 always gave her a check) : 
 
 1 No yes, I have heard people say so.' 
 
 ' And you know the woman I mean ? ' 
 
 ' She is bound to be a witch ! but further than that' 
 
 ' The likeness is really remarkable,' said Stuart, seriously ; 
 ' you have the Mary Stuart brow exactly, and the mouth, as I 
 said ; and I think, as far as difference of colour admits simi- 
 larity of effect, the eyes have the same trick of power. I 
 suppose you like power ? ' 
 
 ' I suppose I should ! Mr. Falkirk ties up all my power, and 
 labels it " Edge tools," ' said Wych Hazel. 
 
 ' I suppose it cuts its way out, and so justifies him. Don't 
 you have your own way generally ? ' 
 
 ' Well, between taking it, and coaxing it out, and refusing 
 to take any other, I do have it sometimes,' said Wych Hazel. 
 
 ' Is Mr. Falkirk much of an ogre ? I do not know him. 
 Difficult to manage ? ' 
 
 ' He thinks I am,' said Wych Hazel. ' No, he is not an ogre 
 it all, except officially.' 
 
 ' Does he pretend to exercise much supervision over your 
 Joinga ? ' 
 
 ' Pretend ? ' she repeated. ' He has the right, Mr. Night- 
 ingale. And did ever a man have a right and not give it an 
 airing now and then?' 
 
 Stuart laughed, and laughed again. ' Don't be hard on us ! ' 
 he pleaded. 
 
 ' Truth is not slander.' 
 
 ' But are not women as fond of power, and wont to exercise 
 it as ruthlessly, as ever men are ? ' 
 ' It is not as strong power, if they do.'
 
 264 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 ' Take care,' said Stuart. ' Honour bright ! while Mr. 
 Falkirk thinks things go according to his will, dou't they really 
 go by yours ? ' 
 
 ' No,' said Wych Hazel ; ' when he thinks they do, they do, 
 when they do not, he knows it.' 
 
 ' Then you are not free. That is hard ! hard upon you. 
 A mother's authority is one thing; a guardian's, I should think, 
 is something very different. Does he interfere with your 
 dancing ? ' 
 
 'No.' Hazel herself hardly knew why words suddenly 
 
 ' I thought you were very fond of it.' 
 
 '0, lam!' 
 
 'Then why will you not honour me and please yourself 
 to-night?' 
 
 ' " Why " is safe while " why " keeps hid. All women 
 know that,' said "Wych Hazel. 
 
 ' You best of all,' said Stuart. ' I dare say it is just to make 
 us miserable. But now I am coming to you with a more 
 serious request. Will you help us in some private theatricals ? ' 
 
 ' I ? 0, I could not. I know nothing about the matter, 
 Never went to a theatre in my life, to begin with.' 
 
 ' So much the better. I know you will do it to perfection. 
 In the first place you are not vain ; and in the second place you 
 are independent ; and an actor should be free in both respects. 
 And of positive qualifications you are full. Say you will try ! ' 
 
 ' I am the worst person to make believe, that ever you saw, ' 
 said Wych Hazel. 'I doubt if I could counterfeit anybody else 
 ten minutes.' 
 
 ' Precisely ! ' said Stuart in a contented tone. ' You would 
 not counterfeit. Good acting is not counterfeiting it is 
 nature. You will help us ? Say you will ! ' 
 
 ' 0, if I can certainly.' 
 
 Before Wych Hazel's lips had fairly got the words out, the 
 two found themselves suddenly flush with Mr. Kollo, standing 
 by the side of the way under a laburnum tree, which was hung 
 with lights instead of its natural gold pendants. 
 
 Swiftly as only thoughts can, they rushed through the girl's
 
 THE GERMAN AT OAK HILL. 265 
 
 mind on the instant. Then he was here ! And of course he 
 knew she was not dancing, and of course he must think 
 There was another figure beginning, she might go and join 
 that. No! not with him to look on, making mental com- 
 ments : that would be simply unendurable. Then she must 
 tell him it was not for what he had said. And she could not 
 tell him that, because it was ! Only in a different way. And 
 how was she to talk to him of ' ways,' or of anything else, after 
 last night ? The result of all which lucubrations was, that she 
 bent her head gravely and it may be said somewhat lower 
 than usual in silent acknowledgment of Mr. Rollo's presence. 
 She was desperately afraid of him to-night. But though he 
 stepped up and spoke to her, it was in the indifferent tone of 
 ordinary business. 
 
 ' On my way here I got something that I think I ought to 
 give to you. By and by, when you are at leisure, will you 
 command my presence ? ' 
 
 ' I can take it now.' 
 
 ' No,' said he carelessly, ' I will not interrupt you. I should 
 have to explain. I will be on the lawn in front of the concert- 
 saloon when you want me.' 
 
 He bowed and fell back from them. 
 
 ' Have you two guardians ? ' said Stuart slyly. 
 
 'No.' 
 
 ' Just a little more assurance than necessary, in his com- 
 munication.' 
 
 'What do you consider the proper amount?' said Wych 
 Hazel, retreating to carelessness in her turn. 
 
 ' I should not dare offer any,' said Stuart. ' It is with 
 nothing of the kind that I venture to ask if you will ride with 
 me to-morrow.' 
 
 ' Ah, I would if I could ! ' said the girl longingly. ' I would 
 give almost anything to be on horseback again. But my horses 
 have not come, and till then I must wait.' 
 
 ' Let me offer one of my aunt's horses ! ' said Stuart eagerly. 
 But Hazel shook her head. 
 
 ' I cannot take it Mr. Falkirk will let me mount none but 
 iny own.'
 
 266 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 ' Is it reasonable to yield obedience so far, and with so little 
 ground ? ' 
 
 ' It is comfortable,' said Hazel with a laugh. ' 0, yes, I 
 suppose it is reasonable, too.' 
 
 The walk went on and the talk ; each in its way wandering 
 along through moonlight and among flowers, and then Hazel 
 bethought her that what she had to do must be done before she 
 went home. So, mustering up her courage, she seated herself 
 on one of the broad stone steps at the side door, and despatched 
 her escort to the front for Mr. Rollo. Presently he came, and 
 sat down beside her. 
 
 1 At what hour did you order your carriage ? ' he asked in a 
 low tone. 
 
 ' Gotham was to wait.' 
 
 ' He has gone home. I met him as I came.' 
 
 ' Gone home ? 0, he is only driving around to keep his 
 horse awake. It is not a fiery turnout, by any means.' 
 
 ' He has gone home,' Rollo repeated smiling, ' and I did not 
 know enough to order him about again. But I sent word to 
 Mr. Falkirk that I would take care of you.' 
 
 The girl's brows lifted, then drew slightly together. 
 
 ' Thank you,' she said with rather stately hesitation, ' but 
 as Mr. Falkirk will send Gotham straight back, I had better 
 wait.' 
 
 4 After my message, Mr. Falkirk will not do that,' said Rollo, 
 looking at his watch. ' It is half -past twelve o'clock.' 
 
 Hazel leaned her chin in her hand and looked off into the 
 moonshine. She did not feel like being ' taken care of ' a bit 
 to-night. 
 
 ' I am afraid circumstances are affecting Mr. Falkirk's mind,' 
 sfle said at last, with a tone just a trifle provoked ; for half- 
 past twelve was a stubborn fact to deal with. ' Well, Mr. 
 Rollo if I can by no means save you the trouble, at what hour 
 will it please you to take it? ' 
 
 ' As there are evidently plots against you, suppose you come 
 to the other side-door, and let us go off without speaking to 
 anybody?' 
 
 And so it came to pass that in a few minutes more they were
 
 THE GERMAN AT OAK HILL. 267 
 
 comfortably driving homewards, without supervision, the silent 
 groom behind them not counting one. 
 
 They were in a light phaeton, with a new horse in it which 
 could go ; the old moon was just rising over the trees ; the 
 road free, the pace good. The gentleman's tone when he spoke 
 was rather indicative of enjoyment. 
 
 4 Who is plotting against you ? ' 
 
 ' Plotting ! ' 
 
 4 And now disappointed ? ' 
 
 ' 0, it is just some of Gotham's stupidity,' said Wych Hazel, 
 with a voice not yet at rest : she had been oddly conscious of 
 wishing that no one should hear her whispered good-night to 
 Mrs. Seaton and follow to see with whom she went home. ' He 
 and I are always at cross purposes.' 
 
 4 A lady in a white dress brought him the message, he says. 
 But to change the subject What is your favourite pleasure ?' 
 
 ' Riding the wind.' 
 
 4 Do you remember once a great while ago promising to 
 give me an afternoon some time ? ' 
 
 4 Did I ? it must have been a great while,' said Wych Hazel 
 4 yes, I do remember. Well ? ' 
 
 4 Will you put to-morrow afternoon at my disposal ? ' 
 
 4 If the thing to be done is within walking distance. Mr. 
 Falkirk will not let me ride.' 
 
 4 1 have brought home, I think, a nice little saddle horse, which 
 I should like to have you try,' Rollo went on, not heeding this. 
 
 4 Oh 1 ' she said, with unmistakeable longing. 4 But he has 
 made me refuse at least five-and-forty just such horses this 
 summer.' 
 
 4 He will be amenable to reason to-morrow,' said Rollo com- 
 fortably. 4 Shall I tell you what I want to do with you after 
 I have got you on horseback ? ' 
 
 4 Let me run I hope,' said Wych Hazel. 
 
 4 1 am going to take you where you have never been yet ; 
 through Morton Hollow and the mills, to see my old nurse, 
 who lives a little way beyond them.' 
 
 4 1 am not going through Morton Hollow,' said Hazel 
 decidedly.
 
 268 WTCH HAZEL. 
 
 'Why not?' 
 
 ' You never heard of seven women who could " render a 
 reason," did you ? ' said the girl, with a laugh in her voice. 
 
 ' My old nurse is a character,' Hollo went on. ' She is a 
 Norse woman. My mother, I must tell you, was also a Norse 
 woman. My father's business at one time kept him much in 
 Denmark and at St. Petersburg ; and at Copenhagen he met 
 my mother, who had been sent there to school. And when my 
 mother forsook her country, the old nurse, not old then, left 
 all to go with her. She was my nurse in my earliest years, 
 and remained our faithfullest friend while we were a family. 
 She made afterwards a not very happy marriage ; and when her 
 husband died just before I went to Europe, she was left alone 
 and poor. I arranged a small house for her in the neighbour- 
 hood of the Hollow ; and there she lives ; a kind of mysterious 
 oracle to the people about. And her greatest earthly pleasure, 
 I suppose, is to have me come and see her. Gyda Boerresen is 
 her name.' 
 
 ' I like to see people enjoy their greatest earthly happiness,' 
 said Hazel thoughtfully. 'I never did many times. Or at 
 least not many people.' 
 
 'I want you to know Gyda. I am not superstitious, like 
 
 some of the ignorant people who visit her ; but yet' he 
 
 paused. * If ever you were hi need of womanly counsel if 
 ever you wanted sympathizing and wise help to find your way 
 out of perplexities I should say, go to Gyda. If any one could 
 give that sort of help, she would. And it is almost like going 
 to a Pythoness,' added Rollo thoughtfully ; ' she is so cut off 
 from the world and its people.' 
 
 They were almost at Mr. Falkirk's cottage. Hullo was silent 
 a moment, then said, 'May I ask Mrs. Bywank to shew me 
 hospitality again to-night ? I don't want to go home.' 
 
 'Mrs. Bywank will be only too glad,' said Wych Hazel. 
 ' The little tower room always goes by your name, Mr. Rollo.' 
 
 ' She did not put me there the last time,' said he, laughing ; 
 ' I was lodged in state and splendour I Well, good night. I 
 wish you were coming to breakfast.' 
 
 She stood silent a minute, looking down. Could she ? Might
 
 THE GERMAN AT OAK HILL. 269 
 
 she ? Would it do ? Run away from Mr. Falkirk for a private 
 frolic on the hill ? It was a great temptation ! 
 
 And only doing the honours of her own house, when all was 
 said. Would it be strange ? Would he think it strauge? That 
 is, not Mr. Falkirk, but Mr. Rollo. Was he ' a man of sense, 
 she wondered, who always disapproved of everything ? And 
 with that a child's look of search and exploration sought his 
 face. There was a grave sparkle in the eyes she met looking 
 down at her. 
 
 ' I see a question in your face,' said he. ' And I answer, 
 -yes!' 
 
 ' Very unsafe to answer anything in my face,' said the girl, 
 hastily withdrawing her eyes. ' There were two questions in 
 my mind. Good night, Mr. Rollo, and thank you.' 
 
 * Think better of it !' said Rollo as he got into the carriage 
 acrain,
 
 CHAPTER XXVIII. 
 
 BREAKFAST FOR THREE. 
 
 MRS. BYWANK, iuspectiug her breakfast table from time to 
 time, certainly had Mr. Rollo's wish in her heart, even though 
 it got no further. And setting on orange marmalade for him, 
 she pleased herself with also setting on honey for Tier ; even 
 though the portrait of a little child was all the sign of her 
 young lady the room could boast. But long habit had made 
 it second nature to watch that face, no matter what else she 
 was about. Mrs. By wank looked and smiled and sighed, and 
 bent down to see if the honey was perfect. It was late in the 
 morning now : Mr. Rollo's slumbers had been allowed to extend 
 themselves somewhat indefinitely in the direction which most 
 men approve; and still breakfast waited, down-stairs; and 
 Mrs. Bywank at the tower window gazed down the slope and 
 over the trees towards Wych Hazel's present abiding place. 
 Not expecting to see her, but watching over her in her heart. So 
 standing, she was hailed by a cheery ' good morning' behind her 
 
 ' I suppose people who turn day into night have no right to 
 expect the day will keep its promises to them ; but you are 
 better than my deserts, Mrs. Bywank. I see a breakfast 
 table !' 
 
 ' Always ready for you, Mr. Rollo ! And you must be very 
 ready too, by this time,' she said, sounding her whistle down 
 the stairs. ' Was Miss Wych at Oak Hill last night, sir?' 
 
 ' I had the pleasure of bringing her home.' 
 
 ' 0, did you, sir ?' said Mrs. Bywank, with a quick look. 
 ' She told me she meant to go, but her mind comes about 
 wonderfully sudden sometimes. Here is breakfast, Mr. Rollo. 
 Will you take your old seat?'
 
 BREAKFAST FOR THREE. 2 "71 
 
 ' I think it will always come about in the right place at 
 last,' said Hollo, as he complied with the invitation. The old 
 housekeeper drew a sigh, looking up at the little picture. 
 
 ' My pretty one !' she said. Then applied herself to filling 
 Mr. Rollo's cup. ' Yes, sir, you're right,' she went on after a 
 pause. ' And she never would stop in a wrong one, not a 
 minute, but for just a few things.' 
 
 ' Mrs. Bywank,' said the young man, ' those few things are 
 all around her.' 
 
 ' You'd think so if you could hear the serenades I hear,' said 
 the housekeeper. ' And see the flowers and hear the compli- 
 ments. She tells them to me sometimes, making fun. But the 
 trouble is with Miss Wych, she never will see the world with 
 any eyes but her own, and who's to make her ?' 
 
 A problem which Rollo considered in silence, and probably 
 swallowed instead of his coffee. 
 
 'Does she speak freely to you of her impressions, and of 
 what she is doing or going to do?' 
 
 1 Free as a child, Mr. Rollo ! Always tells me what dress 
 she'll wear and then afterwards how people liked it. And 
 what she does, and what they want her to do. And why her 
 head is not turned,' said Mrs. Bywank in conclusion, 'puzzles 
 my head, I'm sure. Mere handling so many hearts might do it.' 
 
 Mr. Rollo pursued his breakfast rather thoughtfully and non- 
 chalantly for a time. 
 
 'Mrs. Bywank, Mrs. Coles is returned.' 
 
 ' Surely V said Mrs. Bywank, with a slight start. ' Then 
 she'll make mischief, or it'll be the first chance she ever 
 missed.' 
 
 ' And the world around her is not so simple as your young 
 lady believes.' 
 
 ' No, no !' said Mrs. Bywank earnestly. ' Well I know that ! 
 But just there comes in another trouble I spoke of, you can't 
 make her believe it, sir, and so I'm not sure it's always wise 
 to try.' She paused, in a sort of hesitating way ; glancing 
 from her teaspoon to her guest. 
 
 ' It's not wise to try at all,' said he, smiling a sort of warm, 
 genial smile, which went over the table to his old friend. ' At
 
 272 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 the same time,' and his face grew sternly grave, ' it may Le 
 desirable to have some other wisdom come in to her help. I 
 wish, if you are in any doubt or perplexity about anything 
 you hear, and it may be only a little thing that may give you 
 the impression, I wish you would call me in.' 
 
 'Well, sir, that just touches my thought,' said Mrs. By- 
 wank. ' Or my thought that. For I couldn't do it, Mr. Rollo, 
 unless' and an unmistakeable look of anxious inquiry came 
 across the table. ' Unless, you know, sir,' she went on, look- 
 ing away again, ' unless excuse my freedom the conditions 
 of the will are to be carried out.' And the old housekeeper 
 called for hot waffles, and otherwise apologized for touching the 
 subject, by quitting it at once. As soon as all this bustle was 
 disposed of. her guest met her eye again with a frank, bright 
 smile. 
 
 ' The conditions of the will are to be carried out, my friend.' 
 
 Mrs. Bywank brought her hands together with a sense of 
 relief and gladness that somehow went to her eyes too, and she 
 was silent a little. 
 
 ' I did hope it, sir ! And I would far rather apply to you 
 than to Mr. Falkirk. He frets me sometimes,' added the old 
 housekeeper : ' I may say that to you, sir. Now, she's been 
 wild to ride, all summer, and a dozen wild to have her ; and 
 Mr. Falkirk has never let her go once. And so long as he does 
 let her go and dance with the same people, I don't for my part 
 see why.' 
 
 'Perhaps he uocs,' said Rollo, rather dryly. 'But I have 
 made the requisite declarations in presence of Mr. Falkirk and 
 Dr. Maryland, and am legally qualified to act, Mrs. Bywank. 
 She does not know anything of this ; and it is not best she 
 should for the present.' 
 
 ' No, sir by no means,' said Mrs. Bywank earnestly. ' For 
 if there is anything Miss Wych does hate it is to have a gentle- 
 man speak to her about her doings. When that happens she 
 thinks she's supposed to have done something dreadful ; and it 
 hurts her more than you would guess, sir. Little child as she 
 was then, she would cry her eyes out over a word from Mr. 
 Kennedy, but her mother might say anything. And it has
 
 BREAKFAST FOR THREE. 273 
 
 always been just so with Mr. Falkirk. Only Miss Wych never 
 cries for him. At least nobody ever sees her.' 
 
 Now, instead of Mr. Rollo's being alarmed at this, as another 
 man might, it was answered by a certain humorous play of 
 face ; a slight significance of lip and air, quite difficult to 
 characterize. It was not arrogant, nor arbitrary; I do not 
 know how to call it masterful ; and yet certainly it expressed 
 no dismay and no apprehension. Perhaps it expressed that he 
 intended to be in a different category from other men. Per- 
 haps he thought Mrs. Bywank meant to read him a cautionary 
 lesson. 
 
 ' She is in rather a hard position,' he said gravely. ' I am 
 glad she has got a good friend in you, Mrs. Bywank. And I 
 am glad /have, too.' 
 
 ' Yes, it is hard,' said the old housekeeper, with a glance at 
 him ; ' though it is not to be expected, sir, that you should 
 quite understand it. But Miss Wych is the lovingest little 
 creature that ever lived, I believe, and as true as the sky. 
 Why, she could cheat Mr. Falkirk day in and day out if she 
 chose ! but if ever those young men should get her to ride, 
 against his orders, she would go and tell him of it, the first 
 minute after she got home.' 
 
 Rollo did not ask whether they could do this, or had done it. 
 He went on quietly with his breakfast, only glancing up at Mrs. 
 Bywank to let her see that he was attending to her. 
 
 ' So that's a great safeguard,' she began again, with a sigh. 
 ' But I wish Mrs. Coles was back in Chicago ! Miss Fisher was 
 bad enough. And what the two will do between them ' 
 
 1 What does Miss Fisher do?' 
 
 ' It is plain to me, 1 said Mrs. Bywank, ' that she wants to 
 pull my young lady down to her way of dress and behaviour ; 
 though Miss Wych don't guess it a bit. That she can never 
 do, of course. But it is just like Miss Fisher to push where she 
 can't pull. Do you understand me, sir ?' 
 
 ' Quite.' 
 
 4 So that makes me anxious, sir. And there are ha- ils 
 enough to help.' 
 
 Leaning somewhat towards her young guest, breakfast rather
 
 274 \VYCH HAZEL. 
 
 forgotten on both sides, so they sat ; when the door opened 
 softly and Wych Hazel came in. But if the first minute inside 
 the door could have been instantly exchanged for the last one 
 outside, it is probable that the young lady of Chickaree would 
 have disturbed no cabinet council over her that day. For with 
 the first sight of the very people she expected to find, there 
 rushed over her a horrible fear that Mr. Rollo would think she 
 had come to see him ! and that Mrs. By wank would think so 
 and (worst of all) that she thought so herself ! But there was no 
 retreating now. So, passing swiftly to the old housekeeper's 
 chair, and laying both hands on her shoulders to keep her in 
 it, Hazel stooped down to kiss her; and then straightening 
 herself up like a young arrow, she gave from behind Mrs. 
 By wank a demure good-morning to Mr. Rollo. 
 
 That gentleman had not been so much engrossed with the 
 conversation as to have at all the air of being ' surprised,' or 
 he was too good a man of the world to shew it. He had sprung 
 up instantly as Wych Hazel came in, and now he came round 
 to where she stood to shake hands, looking very bright, but as 
 if her appearance was the simplest thing in the world. 
 
 * You have not had breakfast ?' he said. 
 
 ' I have had the opportunity. But you look altogether too 
 comfortable here, you and Mrs. Bywank ! As for me, I have 
 been breakfasting with two bears, and had nearly forgotten 
 how civilisation acts.' 
 
 'My dear!' said Mrs. Bywank. 'Not "breakfasting" 
 when you were coming here, Miss Wych? ' 
 
 ' Not much, Byo, to say the truth. I gave Mr. Falkirk his 
 coffee hot and hot.' 
 
 ' He didn't give you waffles,' said Rollo, making room for 
 her plate and cup upon the table. ' Mrs. Bywank, we must 
 take care of her. I shall never grumble at sending answers to 
 invitations after this.' 
 
 He was rendering little services and making himself variously 
 useful, with the air of a person more at home than she was ; 
 drawing down a blind to keep the sun from her face, and open- 
 ing another window to let in the air and the view. 
 
 4 Take care of me 1 ' said Wych Hazel, with a look at the
 
 BREAKFAST FOE THREE. 275 
 
 table instead of at him, and then beginning to touch and mend 
 things generally to suit her fancy. ' It is very plain what / 
 have to do I There is the jar of marmalade quite pushed out 
 of reach. And if you do not empty it, Mr. Rollo, Mrs. 
 Bywank will think you have not fulfilled the sweet promise 
 of your earlier years.' 
 
 ' My dear ! ' remonstrated Mrs. Bywank, uneasily. 
 
 ' I have satisfied her,' said Rollo, dryly. ' But there is a 
 little left for you. There wouldn't have been, if the two bears 
 had known where it was. ' 
 
 4 Mr. Falkirk was fearfully growly this morning,' said Wych 
 Hazel. ' And every tune he growled Gotham grumbled. So 
 I had a fusillade. Where is your fruit, Byo ? ' 
 
 4 There was none brought in yesterday, Miss Wych, I'm 
 sorry to say.' 
 
 ' None at all in the house ? ' 
 
 ' There's a basket in your room, my dear ; but of course ' 
 
 'Not "of course" at all,' said the girl, jumping up to go 
 for it. ' You know that is a sort of fruit I never eat.' 
 
 Which might have left it doubtful what sort she did eat, 
 the basket contained so many, in such splendid variety Hazel 
 sat down in her place and began to pile up the beauties in a 
 majolica dish. 
 
 ' Aren't you going to give me some ? ' said Rollo, looking on. 
 
 The answer tarried while Hazel's little fingers dived down 
 after peaches and plums of extra size with which to crown her 
 dish ; but so doing, they suddenly brought up a white note, 
 suspiciously sealed with red wax. The girl dropped it, as if it 
 had been a wasp ; and hastily setting the basket down on the 
 floor, pushed the unfinished dish to a position before Mr. Rollo. 
 
 ' There I ' she said, * will that do ? ' 
 
 4 Do you mean that you give me all these ? ' 
 
 ' Every bit.' 
 
 ' Mrs. Bywank, might I make interest with you for a finger- 
 glass?' 
 
 Which being supplied, the gentleman proceeded to a leisurely 
 ablution of his fingers, and then looked at the dish of fruit 
 before him with grave consideration.
 
 276 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 ' Which is the best ? ' said he. 
 
 ' They all look about alike, to me,' said Wych Hazel, raising 
 her eyebrows. 'I shall be happy to hear, when you have 
 found out.' 
 
 Exercising a good deal of deliberation, Hollo finally chose 
 out a bunch of Frontignac grapes and two Moorpark apricots, 
 and set them before Wych Hazel. 
 
 ' Will you accept these from me ? ' he said, coolly. ' They 
 are my own property, and are offered to you. Taste and see 
 if they are as good as they ought to be.' 
 
 She looked up, and down, laughing. 
 
 ' That is the way you come round people ! Will you take 
 the responsibility ? Suppose I am asked, some day, whether 
 they were what they ought to be ? ' 
 
 ' You can puzzle him just as well after knowing the fact, as 
 before,' Rollo said, with perfect gravity. 
 
 ' Well,' said Hazel, pulling a grape from the bunch. ' Per- 
 haps my misleading powers may be equal to that. This one is 
 quite good and not at all sour,' she added, with a flash of her 
 eyes which, however, went to Mrs. Bywank. ' What do you 
 want, Dingee?' 
 
 Dingee advanced and laid a card on the table. 
 
 ' Say I am at breakfast. I cannot be expected to keep awake 
 all night and all day too.' 
 
 ' Permit me to inquire,' said Rollo, as he also attacked the 
 grapes, but not looking at them, ' whether you did your share 
 of growling this morning? I am sure no one had more cause.' 
 
 ' No,' said the girl, laughing. ' I feel that I have a great 
 reserve in store for somebody. Well, Dingee ? ' 
 
 A card with a written message this time. Hazel looked at 
 it, drew her brows together, and, seizing a pencil, wrote a 
 vigorous ' No,' across the lines. 
 
 ' For somebody,' Rollo repeated. ' I am not sure that we 
 got hold of the right delinquent. After all, peaches are the 
 best thing after waffles and coffee. Try that.' And he placed 
 a fine one alongside of Wych Hazel's plate. 
 
 ' The thing is,' said Wych Hazel, ' that unless you can growl 
 with authority, nobody marks you.'
 
 BREAKFAST FOE THREE. 277 
 
 * General Merrick and Major Seaton, Missee Hazel, ma'am,' 
 said her dark retainer, coming back. 
 
 ' I thought I told you I was at breakfast ? ' said Hazel, in a 
 tone of displeasure. 
 
 'Yes'm but the Major he bound to know 'bout sumfin 
 Missee Hazel left onsartin last night. 'Spect he'd like a keep- 
 sake, too,' said Dingee, laying down another card. 'Mas' May 
 put his away mighty safe.' 
 
 If ever his little mistress was near being furious, I think it 
 was then. Eyes and cheeks were in a flame. 
 
 ' I left nothing uncertain last night 1 ' she said, turning upon 
 him. ' Major Seaton knows that, if he will take the trouble to 
 remember. And Dingee, if you bring me another message of 
 any sort before I whistle for you, I will put you out of service 
 for a month. Now go 1 ' 
 
 ' Is that the way you puniah unlucky servitors ? ' said Eollo, 
 looking much amused. 
 
 She had come back to her grapes, giving them the closest 
 attention, feeling shy and nervous and disturbed to any point ; 
 but now fun got the upper hand. So first she bit her lips, and 
 then the laugh must come! Clear and ringing and mirth- 
 some, as if there was never a growl in all the world. 
 
 ' That is one way,' she said. 
 
 ' Sounds peaceable,' said Rollo, demurely, though smiling ; 
 * but I don't know ! I am afraid it might prove very severe. 
 What is the appeal from one of your sentences ? ' 
 
 ' There is none. I am a Mede and a Persian combined. Byo, 
 why don't you give Mr. Rollo some cream with his peaches, 
 and postpone me till another time ? ' 
 
 ' She'll have to postpone me too,' said Rollo. ' I must go. 
 Shall I come for you at four o'clock ? It will be too hot, I am 
 afraid, before ; and we have a good way to go.'
 
 CHAPTER XXIX. 
 
 JEANNIE DEANS. 
 
 IT wanted some time of four o'clock yet, when Miss Kennedy 
 came quietly into Mr. Falkirk's study and sat down by the 
 window. 
 
 * Are you at leisure, sir ? ' she said, intertwining her fingers 
 in a careless sort of way among the vines that hung there. 
 
 ' My dear, I have been at leisure so long that I wish I could 
 say I was busy. But I am not busy. What is it, Miss Hazel ? ' 
 
 ' Only a few business questions, sir,' she said, attending to 
 the vines. ' Will you let me ride with Major Seaton on 
 Thursday ? ' 
 
 4 Would you like to go with him ? ' 
 
 ' I always like to ride, sir.' 
 
 ' You have not a horse yet, my dear ; that is a difficulty. I 
 do not know this Major Seafcon's horses nor himself.' 
 
 ' Quite reliable, sir according to him. Will you let me ride 
 with Mr. Rollo this afternoon?' 
 
 ' I suppose there is no good reason to be assigned against 
 that,' said Mr. Falkirk, rather growlingly, and after a pause. 
 It sounded a little as if he would have liked it if the fact had 
 been otherwise. 
 
 ' You consider Wednesday a more safe day than Thursday, 
 sir?' 
 
 ' I am not superstitious, Miss Hazel. The only thing I ever 
 was in fear of is enchantment ! ' 
 
 ' Well, sir, you have doubtless studied the case enough to 
 know which is the more " enchanting " of the two,' said Miss 
 Hazel, daringly. ' Shall I give Mr. May a ride on Friday ?' 
 
 ' Will you have a horse on Friday ?' 
 
 378
 
 JEANNIE DEANS. 279 
 
 ' My horse seems to be a slow one, by the time it takes him 
 to come, ' aaid Wych Hazel. ' Will he be here this afternoon, 
 Mr. Falkirk?' 
 
 ' I suppose Rollo will see to that,' said Mr. Falkirk, begin- 
 ning to turn about some papers that were on the table. 
 
 ' Yes, sir,' said his ward, with her small fingers still playing 
 among the vines ; ' I suppose he will. It is rather Mr. Hollo's 
 style. But that makes it rather awkward for me, Mr. Fal- 
 kirk.' 
 
 ' In what respect, Miss Hazel?' 
 
 ' Most of these other gentlemen think themselves qualified 
 to " see to " so small a consignment as myself ; and not being 
 posted as to your scale of enchantment and danger, may feel it 
 the reverse of a compliment to meet me riding with Mr. JRollo, 
 on his horse.' 
 
 ' Well, my dear, what do you wish me to do in the matter ? 
 You are not obliged to go with Rollo, that I know of. Do you 
 wish to compliment these other small fry ?' 
 
 ' I want to ride, Mr. Falkirk 1 I believe I should go with 
 Mr. Simms if he were the only chance ; and that is saying a 
 good deal. However, I can throw all the responsibility on 
 you, sir ; that is one comfort.' 
 
 ' It won't break me,' said Mr. Falkirk ; ' that is another 
 Why do they all come for you so, this hot weather ? ' 
 
 But she laughed at that, and went off out of the room. 
 
 When she came down to the side entrance of Chickaree some 
 hour or two later, she found her side-saddle going on an Arab- 
 looking brown mare, and Rollo playing hostler. His own 
 horse standing by was clearly also a new comer ; a light bay, 
 nervous and fidgety, for he did not keep still one minute ; 
 ears, hoofs, eyes and head were constantly and restlessly shift- 
 ing. The brown mare stood still, only lifting her pretty head 
 and looking as Wych Hazel came out. She ran down the steps. 
 
 'I got leave!' she said, gleefully, 'did you?' then 
 stopped, surveying operations. ' But was there nobody about 
 the place to do that but Mr. Rollo ?' 
 
 The quiet negative which answered this covered more ground 
 than the question. Rollo finished his work carefully, with one
 
 280 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 or two looking on ; mounted the little lady, and went to his 
 own horse. Before mounting, here, he seemed to hold some 
 conversation with the creature ; caressed him ; stood in front 
 and spoke to him, patting and stroking his head; then in 
 another moment was on his back. 
 
 There is a great difference in people's riding, as there is in 
 people's walking ; and once in a while, among plenty of good 
 average walkers and riders, there is one whom it is a pleasure 
 to see. This man was such a one. He was a perfectly well- 
 made man, and had the ease and grace in all his movements 
 which such a build goes far to ensure ; when on horseback it 
 seemed as if he had communicated these qualities to his horse, 
 and the two moved as one embodiment of ease and grace, with 
 power superadded. Stuart Nightingale on horseback was a fine 
 gentleman, perfectly got up, and riding well, but yet a fine 
 gentleman in the saddle. Major Seaton rode ruggedly, if I 
 may say so. Mr. May was more at home in his phaeton ; 
 others were more or less stiff and uncertain. But the attitude 
 and action of Kollo were utter unconscious ease, whatever form 
 of action his horse might take. So it was now. For a few 
 minutes his restless animal moved in all sorts of eccentric 
 ways ; but where most men would have been a little awkward 
 and many very miserable, his rider was simply unconcerned 
 and seemed to be taking his pleasure. To see such a rider is 
 to be filled with a great sense of harmony. 
 
 What a ride they had then, when the hill was descended 
 and the gates of Chickaree left behind! The road for some 
 miles was known to "Wych Hazel ; then they branched off into 
 another where all was new. The qualities of the brown mare 
 had been coming to her rider's knowledge by degrees ; a beau- 
 tiful mouth, excellent paces, thorough training ; knowing her 
 business and doing it. As they entered upon a long smooth 
 stretch of road without anybody in sight, Rollo proposed a 
 run ; and they had it ; and it was upon drawing bridle after 
 this that he asked a question. 
 
 ' How do you like her?' 
 
 Now Miss Kennedy, in defiance of all well-known laws, had 
 never been so smitten with the regulation beaver upon a man'a
 
 JEANNIE DEANS. 281 
 
 head, as to place it on her own. So instead of its stiff propor- 
 tions she wore a little round straw hat ; utterly comfortable, 
 utterly graceful, and drooping down over her eyes & la Marie 
 Stuart, so as to keep those wayward things in deep seclusion 
 when she chose. Just now, however, she turned them full on 
 her companion, answering : 
 
 ' 0, very much ! I suspect she has only one fault.' 
 
 ' What in the world "is that ? Have you discovered already 
 what I have sought for in vain ?' 
 
 ' It is the reverse of my specialty,' said Wych Hazel ' so 
 perhaps that makes me sharp-sighted. I am afraid she always 
 behaves well.' 
 
 ' She knows her business,' said Rollo. * I think, what you 
 want her to do, she will do. Pardon me ; do you wish her 
 it is rather paradoxical to thwart your wishes ? ' 
 
 'No,' said the girl, laughing a little, 'I put it somewhat 
 differently : perhaps I might like, just occasionally, to thwart 
 hers!' 
 
 ' She'll be an extraordinary animal if she does not some time 
 or other give you a chance. Now do you know what you are 
 coming to ? ' 
 
 The scenery was changing, had changed. The level, open 
 road they had been clearing on the gallop, had gradually 
 drawn within high banks, which as they went on grew higher 
 and broken, till the country assumed the character of a gleu 
 or deep valley. Opening a little here and there, this valley 
 shewed ahead of them now a succession of high, long, dingy 
 buildings ; and a large, rapid stream of water was seen to run 
 under the opposite bank. It had not been visible until now ; 
 so it probably turned off near this point into an easier channel 
 than the course of their road would have afforded. The scene 
 was extremely picturesque , sunshine and shadow mingling on 
 the sides of the dell and on the roofs and gables of the build- 
 ings in the bottom. These were both large and small ; it was 
 quite a settlement ; cottages, small and mean and dingy, 
 standing all along on the higher banks, as well as lower down 
 near the stream. Gradually the dell spread into a smooth, 
 narrow valley.
 
 282 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 * The mills, I suppose? I have not been this way before. 
 It makes me half wild to get out again ! So if I do any wild 
 things How lovely the dell is ! ' 
 
 * This is Morton Hollow,' said Rollo, looking at her. ' Can 
 I help you do any wild things ?' 
 
 ' The houses are like him,' said Hazel, turning away, and her 
 colour deepening under the look. ' Such a place ! ' 
 
 She might say ' such a place.' As they went on the character 
 of it became visible more and more. There were dark, high, 
 close factories, whence the hum of machinery issued , poor, 
 mean dwellings, small and large, clustered here and there in 
 the intermediate spaces, from which if any sounds came, they 
 were less pleasant than the buzz of machines. Scarce any 
 humanity was abroad , what there was deepened the impression 
 of the dreariness of the place. 
 
 4 Mr. Rollo,' said Hazel at last. ' I hope your friend does 
 not live down here ? ' 
 
 ' I don't think I have any friend here,' he answered rather 
 thoughtfully. He had been riding slowly for the last few 
 minutes, looking intently at what he was passing. Now, at a 
 sudden turn of the road, where the valley made a sharp angle, 
 they came upon an open carriage standing still Two ladies 
 were in it. Rollo lifted his hat, but the lady nearest them 
 leaned out and cried, ' Stop, stop ! ' 
 
 A gentleman must obey such a behest. Rollo wheeled and 
 stood still. 
 
 * Where are you going ?' said the lady. Probably Rollo did 
 not hear, for he looked at her calmly without answering. 
 
 'Is that the little lady?' said the speaker, stretching her 
 head out a little further to catch better sight of Wych Hazel. 
 ' Aren't you going to introduce me, Dane ? I must know her, 
 you know.' 
 
 It is quite impossible to describe on paper the flourish with 
 which Rollo's horse responded. Like a voluntary before the 
 piece begins, like the elegant and marvellous sweep of lines 
 with which a scribe surrounds his signature, the bay curvetted 
 and wheeled and danced before the proposed introduction. 
 Very elegant in its way, and to any one not in the secret iru-
 
 JEANNIE DEANS. 283 
 
 possible to divine whether it was the beast or his rider at play. 
 Finally brought up on the other side of "Wych Hazel, when 
 Rollo spoke. 
 
 * Misa Kennedy, I have the honour to present Mrs. Colea, 
 who wishes to be known to you.' 
 
 As Miss Kennedy bent her head, she had one glimpse of a 
 long pale face, surrounded with bandeaux of fair hair, which 
 looked towards her eagerly. Before she had well lifted her 
 head again her horse was moving, and the next instant dashing 
 along at full speed ; the bay close alongside. The mills were 
 almost passed ; a very few minutes brought them quite away 
 from the settlement, and they began to mount to higher ground 
 by a steep hilly path. 
 
 ' Well ! ' said Hazel, looking at her companion. 
 
 ' TVell ? ' said Rollo, innocently. 
 
 She laughed. 
 
 ' As if I did not know better than that ! ' 
 
 ' I wish I did,' said Rollo. ' Now, do you know what you 
 are coming to?' 
 
 ' No, not a bit. I said I wouldn't come through that place 
 but when you are in a strange land and in charge of a 
 strange I cavalier ' 
 
 ' You are coming to the house of my old nurse in the hills 
 a quarter of a mile further on. I did not understand you to 
 mean that you would not go through that place.' 
 
 ' Does the man keep another Hollow for himself ? ' said Wych 
 Hazel. ' I am glad we are going to the hills, if only to help 
 me forget the valley. How can people live so! And oh! 
 how can people let them ! ' 
 
 ' This is a concomitant of great civilisation. I saw no such 
 place when I was in Norway,' Dane observed. 
 
 ' And was what is her name ? living there when you came 
 home?' 
 
 'Gyda? Down in the Hollow? no. I had established 
 her up here in comfort before I left her.' 
 
 More and more lovely, wild and lonely, the scenery grew ; 
 the road getting deeper among the hills and winding higher 
 and higher with the head of the valley. Then they came to the
 
 284 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 cottage, the only one in sight ; a low house of grey stone, set 
 with its back against the woods which covered the hill. A 
 little cleared and cultivated ground close to it, and in front the 
 road. Eollo dismounted, fastened his horse, and took Wych 
 Hazel down. 
 
 ' Do you like to come to such places?' he asked, as he -was 
 tying the brown mare to the fence. 
 
 ' I know very little about them,' she said. ' This looks like 
 a place to come to.' 
 
 ' It is unique,' said Rollo, as he led the way in. 
 
 He opened the door softly. An utterance of joy Wych 
 Hazel heard, before she could see the person from whom it 
 came. Rollo turned and presented Miss Kennedy then. It 
 was that. He did not present old Gyda to her. And then 
 Wych Hazel was established in the best chair, and could 
 look at her leisure, for at first she was not the one attended 
 to. 
 
 She saw a little person, with a brown face, much shrivelled ; 
 which yet possessed two sparkling, keen black eyes. There 
 was not a pretty feature in the old woman's face, for the eyes 
 were not beautiful now, in any sensuous meaning of beauty. 
 And yet, as Wych Hazel looked, presently the word ' lovely ' 
 was the word that came up to her. That was of course due 
 only to the pervading expression ; which was pure, loving and 
 refined far beyond what the young lady had often seen. She 
 was dressed in a short jacket of dark cloth, braided with 
 bright braid, and fastened at the throat with a large silver 
 brooch. Her petticoat was of the same cloth, drawn up plain 
 over the bosom in an ungraceful manner ; her head was covered 
 with a coloured handkerchief, tied so that the ends hung down 
 the back. 
 
 After seeing Wych Hazel seated, she for the moment paid 
 her no further attention. Rollo had sat down too ; and the old 
 woman came close in front of him and stood looking silently, 
 her head reaching then only a little above his shoulders. She 
 was old, undeniably; however, it was an entirely vigorous and 
 hearty age. Her hand presently came to Rollo's face, pushing 
 back the thick and somewhat curly locks from his temples, and
 
 JEANNIE DEANS. 285 
 
 then taking his head in both hands she kissed first one cheek 
 and then the other. 
 
 ' Don't be partial, Gyda ! ' said he, smiling at her. And if 
 there was beauty of only one kind in the little black eyes that 
 looked at him, there was much of both kinds in the young 
 man's face. Gyda left him and went over to her other visitor. 
 
 And as far as minuteness of examination went, certainly she 
 was not ' partial.' It would have been a bit trying from any- 
 body else the still, intent, searching look of the old woman 
 upon the young face. But the look was one of such utter 
 sweetness, so thoroughly loving and simple and kind, if it was 
 also keen, that there was after all in it more to soothe nerves 
 than to excite them. Her hand presently came to. Wych Hazel's 
 face too, drawing down over the soft cheek and handling the 
 wavy ringlets, and tracing the delicate chin's outline. Slowly 
 and considerately. 
 
 ' Is she good ? ' was the first word that Gyda spoke in this 
 connection, as naively as possible. It was rather directed to 
 Rollo. The girl's colour had stirred and mounted under the 
 scrutiny, until interest nearly put shyness out of sight ; and 
 the winsome brown eyes now looked at Gyda more wistful than 
 afraid. They followed her question with a swift glance, but 
 then Miss Kennedy hastily took the matter into her own 
 
 'Not generally !' she answered, the lips parting and curling 
 in sweet mirthful lines that at least did not speak of very deep 
 wrong- doing. Most gentlemen probably would have uttered a 
 protest, but Rollo was absolutely silent. Gyda looked from one 
 to the other. 
 
 ' Why are ye no good ? ' she askc J, with her hand on TVych 
 Hazel's shoulder. The expression of the words is very difficult 
 to describe. It was an inquiry, put with the simplest accent 
 of wondering and regretful desire. Hazel looked at her, study- 
 ing the question rather in the face than in the words. 
 
 ' I suppose,' she said, slowly, ' because I do not like it.' 
 
 'You must know, Gyda,' said Rollo, smiling, 'that Miss 
 Hazel's notion of goodness is, giving up her own will to some- 
 body else's.'
 
 286 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 1 And that's just what it is, Dane Olaf,' said the old woman, 
 looking round at him. ' Ye could not have expressed it better. 
 But that is not hard, nor uncomfortable, when ye love some- 
 body?' she added, her sweet eyes going back to "Wyck Hazel. 
 The girl shook her head. 
 
 'I never loved anybody, then. Unless mamma,' she 
 answered. 
 
 ' Lady, do ye know those words in your Bible " He that 
 dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under 
 the shadow of the Almighty"? Giving up yourself to God 
 will put ye just there ! And then " He shall cover thee with 
 his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust." ' 
 
 It is one thing to hear these words sonorously read in church, 
 or to run one's eye over them in a perfunctory manner. To 
 see Gyda speak them, with the accent and air of one un- 
 deniably proving the truth of them, that was another thing. 
 
 ' There maybe yet a difficulty, Gyda,' said Rollo. 
 
 'Whatis't? 1 
 
 ' One may not know just how to get there, even after yon 
 have shewed the way.' 
 
 Rollo was not speaking lightly ; but Gyda as she went back 
 to her seat only answered, 
 
 ' Ye can always ask. 1 
 
 'Whom would you bid me ask, Gyda? I would about as 
 lieve come to you as anybody, if I wanted counsel.' 
 
 ' Give yourself to God, lad, and ye'll know there's but One 
 to ask of. And there's but One before that, if ye want real 
 help.' 
 
 There was a minute's pause ; and then Rollo asked what 
 Gyda had for him to do. ' Not yet,' she answered ; and with 
 that left the room. Rollo brought his chair to Wych Hazel's 
 side. 
 
 ' She is going to get you some supper,' he said, with a smile. 
 
 * No, it will be all for you, and you will give me part of ft 
 I should think you would come here very often, Mr Rollo.' 
 
 4 Do you ? ' said he, looking pleased. ' That shews I did 
 right to bring you here. Now you'll have a Norse supper the 
 first you ever had. Gyda is Norse herself, I told you ; sue ii
 
 JEANNIE DEANS. 287 
 
 a Tellemarken woman. If we were in Norway now, there would 
 be in the further end of this room two huge cribs, which would 
 be the sleeping place for the whole family. Overhead would 
 be fishing nets hanging from the rafters, and a rack with a 
 dozen or more rifles and fowling-pieces. On the walls you 
 would see collars for reindeer, powder-horns and daggers. 
 Gyda's spinning-wheel is here, you see , and her stove, besides 
 the fireplace for cooking. Her dairy is a separate building, 
 after Norway fashion, and so is her summer kitchen, where I 
 know she is this minute, making porridge. Can you eat 
 porridge?' 
 
 ' Truly I cannot say, Mr. Rollo. But I do not often "thwart" 
 myself as you may have observed. Does the absence of Norse 
 blood make the fact doubtful ? ' 
 
 ' Norse habit, say rather,' said Rollo, shaking his head ; 
 'Norse habit, induced by Norse necessity. In many a Nor- 
 wegian homestead you would get little besides porridge, often. 
 But Gyda likes it, and so do I. At any rate, it is invariable 
 for a Norse meal, in this house. It is one of the things which 
 can be transplanted. Gyda would have enjoyed a row of 
 reindeer's horns bristling along the eaves of her cottage ; but I 
 told her the boys of the Hollow would not leave them long if I 
 set them there.' 
 
 1 But you are half Danish,' said Wych Hazel. ' And was it 
 for love of Denmark that you got your name ?' 
 
 ' Which name ? If you please ? ' 
 
 'You know,' said Wych Hazel, with a shy blush, as if it 
 were a sort of freedom for her to know and speak it ; ' they 
 call you " Dane Rollo." ' 
 
 ' That's not my name, though,' said he, smiling. ' I am no 
 further a Dane than being born in Copenhagen makes me so. 
 I am half Norse, and a quarter German ; Denmark has given 
 me a nickname, that's all. 
 
 ' Then, if we were in Norway and this a considerable farm- 
 house, we should have passed through an ante-room filled with 
 all sorts of things. Meal chests, and tools, and thongs of 
 leather, skins of animals and wild birds, snow shoes and casks 
 and little sledges. Do you know,' he went on, ' if this were not
 
 288 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 the land of my father, I could find it in my heart to cro and 
 live in the land of my mother. It is a noble land, and it is a 
 fine people Feudal law never obtained footing there ; every 
 landholder held under no superior ; and so there is a manly, 
 genial independence in all the country-side, not found every- 
 where else.' 
 
 He went on for some little time to give Wych Hazel pictures 
 of the scenery, unlike all she had ever known. He knew and 
 loved it well, and his sketches were given graphically. In the 
 midst of this Gyda came in again ; and Rollo broke off, and 
 asked her, laughingly, if she had any ' fladbrod.' 
 
 ' Fresh,' she said. ' Olaf, can't you get her some peaches?' 
 
 Rollo went off ; and the old woman began to set her table 
 with bowls and plates and spoons ; an oddly-carved little tub 
 of butter, and a pile of thin brown cakes. Having done this, 
 and Rollo not returning, on the contrary seeming to have 
 found more than peach trees to detain him, for the sound of a 
 hammer was heard at intervals, the old woman came and stood 
 by Wych Hazel again. The straw hat was off ; and she eyed 
 in a tender kind of way, wistful too, the fair young face. 
 
 4 Dear,' she said, in that same wistful way, laying her hand 
 on the girl's shoulder, ' does he love you?' 
 
 Hazel started in extreme surprise ; looking up with wide- 
 open eyes ; and more pale than red in her first astonishment. 
 
 ' He ? me ? No !' she said, as the blood came surging back. 
 But then recollections came too, and possibilities and eyes 
 and head both drooped. And with the inevitable instinct of 
 truth the girl added, under her breath 
 
 ' Perhaps how do I know ? I cannot tell !' 
 
 By that time head and hands too were on the back of her 
 chair, and she had turned from Gyda, and her face was out of 
 sight. With a tender little smile, which she could not see, the 
 old Norse woman stood beside her, and with tender fingers 
 which she did feel, smoothed and stroked the hair on each side 
 of her head. For a few minutes. 
 
 * And, dear,' she said presently, in the same soft way, ' do 
 you love him?' 
 
 There are questions, confusing enough when merely pro-
 
 ' With a tender little smile, which she could not see, the old Norse woman 
 stood beside her, and with tender fingers, which she did feel, smoothed 
 anA stroked the hair on each side of her head." P. 288.
 
 JEANNIE DEANS. 289 
 
 pounded by ourselves, in the solitude of our hearts ; but which 
 when coming first from the lips of another, before they have 
 been fairly recognised as questions, become simply unbearable. 
 Hazel shrank away from the words, gentle as they were, with 
 one of her quick gestures. 
 
 4 1 do not know,' she cried. ' I have never thought ! I have 
 no business to know ! ' 
 
 And lifting her head for a moment, with eyes all grave and 
 troubled and almost tearful, she looked into the face of the old 
 Norwegian, mutely beseeching her to be merciful, and not push 
 her advantage any further. 
 
 ' I know !' said Gyda, softly. ' But it's only me.' And as 
 if recognising a bond which Wych Hazel did not, she lifted ona 
 little white hand in her two brown ones and kissed it 
 " ' Everybody shews me their hearts,' she went on ; ' but it's 
 all here,' touching her breast, and meaning probably that it 
 went no further. * May I love my lad's lady a little bit ? ' 
 
 A strangely humble, wistful, sweet look she bent on Hazel 
 as she spoke ; to which the girl herself, too dumbfounded and 
 shaken off her feet to quite know where she was, could find no 
 better answer than a full rush of bright drops to her eyes, 
 coming she knew not whence; and then a deep suffusion of 
 throat and cheeks and brow that was much better recognised 
 and said it meant to stay. Her head went down again. 
 
 ' Now it's only me,' said the old woman quietly again. But 
 Rollo's voice was heard from somewhere speaking her name, and 
 she hurried out. There was a little interval, and then eheoftme 
 back bearing dishes to set on the table. Back and forth she 
 went several times, and very likely had found more things to 
 take up Rollo's attention ; for he came not until she had her 
 board all ready and summoned him. It was a well-spread 
 board when all was done. Shallow dishes of porridge, piles of 
 fladbrod, bowls of cream, peaches, and coffee. And when 
 Gyda with due care had made a cup for Wych Hazel and 
 brought it to her hand, the little lady was obliged to confess 
 that it was better than even Chickaree manufacture. And the 
 porridge was no brown farinaceous mass in a rough and crude 
 state, but came to table in thin, gelatinous cakes, sweet and 
 
 T
 
 290 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 excellent when broken into the cream. But if Miss Wyeh had 
 been afterwards put in the witness-box to tell what she had 
 been eating, I think she would have refused to be sworn. The 
 sheer necessity of the case had made her hold up her head 
 cool her cheeks she could not ; but she took what was given 
 her, and talked of it and praised it almost as steadily as if she 
 had known what it was. Only, as extreme timidity is with 
 some people an unnerving thing, there were moments when, do 
 what she would, her lips must be screened behind the cup, and 
 words that she said which were almost hoarse from the extreme 
 difficulty with which they were spoken. As for a laugh, she 
 tried it once. 
 
 She was served and tended with, it is hard to say whether 
 most care or most pleasure, by both her companions. Midway 
 of the meal came a help to her shyness. 
 
 The door slowly opened and a girl stepped in. She might 
 have been fourteen or fifteen ; she was tall enough for that ; 
 but the little figure was like a rail. So slight, so thin, so little 
 relieved by any sufficiency of drapery in her poor costume. But 
 the face was above all thin, pale, worn ; with eyes that looked 
 large and glassy from want and weariness. She came in, but 
 then stood still, looking at the party where she had expected to 
 find only the old Norwegian woman. 
 
 1 Who is this ?' said Rollo to Gyda. 
 
 4 It is Triidchen, of the Hollow. "What is wanting, my child ?' 
 said Gyda. 
 
 ' Come seeking medicine for the mind or body ?' said Rollo. 
 But after a second glance he rose up, went to the girl and 
 offered her a chair. She looked at him without seeming to 
 know his meaning. 
 
 1 Speak Deutsch, Olaf,' said Gyda, ' and ye'll get better hear- 
 ing. She can't speak yon.' 
 
 A few words in German made a change. The wan face 
 waked up a little and looked astonished at the speaker. Rollo 
 seated her; then poured out himself a cup of Gyda's coffee, 
 creamed and sugared it duly, and offered it to the girl with the 
 observance he would have given to a lady. Then he moved 
 her chair nearer to the table, and supplied porridge and then
 
 JEANNIE DEANS. 291 
 
 peaches ; talking and talking to her all the while. The answers 
 began to come at last ; the girl's colour changed with the coffee, 
 and her eyes brightened with every spoonful of the cream and 
 porridge ; and at last came a smile what was it like ? like 
 the wintriest gleam of a cold sky upon a cold world. Hollo' 
 got better than that, however, before he was done. 
 
 He had come back to Wych Hazel and left the girl to finish 
 her supper in peace ; when suddenly his attention was attracted 
 by some question addressed by the latter to Gyda. He looked 
 up and himself answered. The girl started from her seat with 
 a degree of animation she had given no symptom of till then, 
 said a few words very eagerly and hurriedly, and darted from 
 the door like a sprite. 
 
 ' What now ?' said Hazel, looking after the girl. ' "What has 
 Mr. Rollo done ?' 
 
 ' Cut short somebody's supper, I am afraid. But she finished 
 her porridge, didn't she ? And has taken one peach with her ! 
 Do they all look like that, Gyda ?' 
 
 Gyda answered that they were 'very bad;' she meant in 
 their way of life and their thriving on it. 
 
 ' And how otherwise ?' 
 
 There seemed to be not much to say ' otherwise.' They were 
 very good to her, Gyda remarked. Wych Hazel listened, but 
 she risked no more questions. The supper lingered a while 
 longer ; Gyda and Rollo talking of various things and drawing 
 in Wych Hazel when they could ; then Gyda fetched a book and 
 opened it and laid before Rollo. He left the table and came to 
 Wych Hazel's side. 
 
 ' Gyda always, when she can, has prayers with her visitors,' 
 he said, ' and she makes them read for her. She, and I, would 
 like it if you would do the reading to-night. Will you ?' 
 
 How easily she started to-night ! Hazel answered without 
 looking up 
 
 ' She would rather have you.' 
 
 ' No, she wouldn't. Excuse me ! She asked me to ask you.' 
 
 'The girl had not found her feet yet, nor got clear of her 
 bewilderment. And so, before she more than half knew what 
 she was about she had taken the book and was reading
 
 292 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 absolutely reading aloud to those two ! the ninety-first Pealm. 
 Aloud, it was ; but only because the voice was so wonderfully 
 clear and sweet-toned could they have heard a word. As it 
 was, neither listener lost one. 
 
 They knelt then, and Gyda uttered a prayer sweet enough 
 to follow the Psalm. A little louder than Wych Hazel's low 
 key, but no less quiet in tone. It was not long; she took 
 those two, as it were, in the arms of her love, and presented 
 them as candidates for all the blessings of the Psalm ; making 
 her plea for the two, somehow, a compound and homogeneous 
 one. 
 
 The sun was down ; it was time to get to horse for the 
 riders. Gyda's farewells were very affectionate in feeling, 
 though also very quiet in manner. 
 
 ' Will you come to see me again ?' she asked of Wych Hazel, 
 while Rollo was gone out to see to the horses. 
 
 ' Will you let me ? I should like to come.' 
 
 ' Then you'll come,' said Gyda. She had shaken hands with 
 Rollo before. But now when he came in for Wych Hazel he 
 went up to where Gyda was standing, bent down and kissed 
 her. 
 
 ' Miss Kennedy, have you said " Tak for maden " ? ' 
 
 'I? No. How should I ?' said Wych Hazel ; ' is it a spell ?' 
 
 ' Come here,' said he, laughing. ' You must shake hands 
 with Gyda and say, " Tak for maden ;" that is, " Thanks for the 
 meat." That is Norwegian good manners, and you are in a 
 Norwegian house. Come and say it.' 
 
 She came, shyly, trying to laugh too, and again held out her 
 hand ; stammering a little over the unaccustomed syllables, 
 but rather because they were prescribed than because they were 
 difficult. Certainly, if there was a spell in the air that night, 
 Wych Hazel thought it had got hold of her. 
 
 4 That's proper,' said Rollo, ' and now we'll go. It ought to 
 have been said when we rose from table ; but better late than 
 never. That's your first lesson in Norse.' 
 
 Rollo had been in a sort of quiet, gay mood all the afternoon. 
 Out of the house and in the saddle this mood seemed to be ex- 
 changed for a different one. He was silent, attending to hia
 
 JEANNIE DEANS. 293 
 
 business with only a word here and there, alert and grave. The 
 words to the ear, however, were free and pleasant as ever. At 
 the bottom of the hill, in the meadow, he came close to Wych 
 Hazel's side. 
 
 ' Don't canter here,' said he. ' Trot. Not very fast, for the 
 people are out from their work now, many of them. But we'll 
 go as fast as we can.' 
 
 ' Fast as you like,' she answered. ' I will follow your pace.' 
 ' No,' said he, smiling ; ' we might run over somebody.' 
 The people were out from their work, and many of them 
 etood in groups and parties along the sides of the street. It 
 was an irregular roadway, with here a mill and there a mill, 
 on one side and on the other, and cottages scattered all along 
 between and behind. It had been an empty way when they 
 came ; it was populous now. Men and women were there, 
 sometimes in separate groups ; and a fringe of children, boys 
 and girls, on both sides of the road. The general mill popula- 
 tion seemed to be abroad. They appeared to be doing nothing, 
 all standing gazing at the riders. The light was fading now, 
 and the wretchedness of their looks was not so plainly to be 
 seen in detail; and yet, somehow, the aggregate effect was 
 quite in keeping with that of Triidchen's appearance alone at 
 the house above. 
 
 Through this scattering of humanity the riders went at a 
 gentle, even trot ; the horses pacing almost in step, the stirrups 
 as near together as they could be. As they came to the thickest 
 of this crowd of spectators, Rollo courteously raised his hat to 
 them. There was at first no answer, then a murmur, then two 
 or three old hats were waved in the air. Again Rollo saluted 
 them, and in two minutes more the mills were passed. The 
 road lay empty and quiet between the high banks, on which 
 the soft twilight was beginning to settle down. 
 
 ' I like that,' said Wych Hazel impulsively, forgetting her 
 shyness she, too, had bowed as they rode by. ' Mr. Rollo, is 
 it a secret, what you said to that child ? It looks to me as if 
 she had brought the people out to look at you.' 
 
 ' Will you ride ?' said he. ' Le$ us have a canter first.' 
 
 It was a pretty swift canter, and the two had flown over a
 
 294 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 good deal of ground before Eollo drew bridle again on coming 
 out into the main road. 
 
 ' Now,' he said, ' we can talk. There is no secret about any- 
 thing. The girl asked, at Gyda's, how soon we were going 
 away ? I answered, in half an hour. "Whereupon she begged 
 very urgently that we would delay and not get to the mills till 
 she had been there ; and darted away as you saw.' 
 
 'Impressive power of peaches!' said Hazel with a laugh. 
 ' Commend my penetration. I wish all our waste baskets of 
 fruit could be emptied out in that Hollow, and so be of some 
 use. It would be fun to send Mr. Morton's own grapes' but 
 there she stopped. 
 
 ' I am afraid you are mistaken,' said Eollo gravely. ' The 
 manner and accent of the girl made me apprehend danger of 
 gome annoyance which I think she went to prevent. The 
 road being a cul de sac, she knew, and they knew, we must 
 come back that way. Gyda will find out all about it ; but she 
 said it meant mischief.' 
 
 'Mischief? To us?' 
 
 ' Yes. They are very degraded, and I suppose embittered, 
 by their way of life ; and do not like to see people taking their 
 pleasure as we are doing.' 
 
 * That was what they were out for ! Mr. Falkirk may well 
 say my eyes are ignorant,' said the girl thoughtfully. ' But, 
 Mr. Rollo is this the only way to What do ordinary 
 
 people call your friend ?' 
 
 ' Gyda ? The name is Boerresen contracted by vulgar usage 
 to Borsen.' 
 
 ' Well, is this the only way you can get to her cottage ?' 
 
 1 The only way ; except by a scramble over the hills aud 
 fields where no way is. I fancy you are mistaken again, how- 
 ever, in your conclusions from what you have seen this evening. 
 I do not think they were out to do us mischief. Their attitude 
 did not strike me as like that. I think Triidchen had been 
 beforehand with them.' 
 
 'And does Mrs. Boerresen like to have you come and go 
 through the Hollow, knowing the people ?' 
 
 ' I never heard of the least annoyance to any one there before.
 
 JEANNIE DEANS. 295 
 
 I can only surmise that the sight of a lady, where no lady ever 
 comes, excited the spite of some children perhaps. And they 
 might have expressed their spite by throwing a few stones. 
 Tliat I half expected.' 
 
 ' What would you have done then ?' said Wych Hazel with 
 sudden curiosity. 
 
 ' Dodge the stones, of course !' Rollo answered quietly. 
 
 Hazel gleamed up at him from under her hat, her lips in a curl. 
 
 ' That is only what you would have tried to do,' she said. 
 But then Miss Wych subsided and fell back into the closest 
 rapt attention to the beauties of the landscape and the evening 
 sky. 
 
 4 The only time,' Rollo went on, ' when the least annoyance 
 would be possible, is after work hours, or just at noon when 
 they are out for dinner. At all other times the whole popula- 
 tion is shut up in the mills, and the street is empty.' 
 
 ' Was it your peaches then after all ?' said the girl suddenly. 
 ' Or did she pray us through ?' 
 
 Rollo gave her one of the bright, sweet smiles he sometimes 
 gave to his old nurse. 
 
 ' How do I know?' he said. ' I think peaches were sweet. 
 And I don't believe Gyda ever prays in vain.' 
 
 Of course, such an afternoon, everybody had been out; 
 happily the hour was so late that few were left on the road ; 
 but Wych could not escape all encounters. 
 
 ' Your days are numbered, Dane Rollo !' called out Mr. 
 Kingsland as he went by. ' Coffee and pistols at four to- 
 morrow morning ! And if my shot fails, there are ten more 
 to follow. The strong probability is that Miss Kennedy be- 
 holds us both for the last time !' which melancholy statements 
 was honoured with a soft irrepressible laugh that it was a pity 
 Mr. Kingsland would not wait to hear. 
 
 Then before Wych Hazel had brought her face into order, a 
 sharp racking trot came down a cross-road, and Kitty Fisher 
 reined up at her side. 
 
 ' I vow 1' she said, ' you look jolly here ! The Viking must 
 have been exerting himself. So 1 you are the girl that never 
 flirts!'
 
 296 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 ' What of it?' said Wych Hazel with cool gravity. 
 
 ' 0, nothing, nothing in the world !' said Miss Fisher. * I've 
 come to get a lesson, that's all. For real instruction in the 
 art, commend me to your cream-faced people who never do it.' 
 
 4 Nobody ever saw cream the colour of my face,' said Wych 
 Hazel good-humouredly. 'It u yours, Kitty, that always 
 deserves the comparison.' 
 
 Hese Rollo, who had been sheering about for a minute on his 
 springy bay, suddenly came up between the two girls and kept 
 the brown mare too far to the left to permit another flank 
 movement to out-general him. 
 
 1 1 should like somebody to explain to me,' he said, addressing 
 Kitty, ' what flirting is. I have never been able to come to a 
 clear understanding of what is meant by the term.' 
 
 4 Very likely,' said Kitty, ' seeing it's a muddled-up thing. 
 Never did it yourself, I suppose ?' 
 
 'That depends upon what " it" is,' insisted Rollo. 
 
 4 Does it?' said Kitty. Well, if ever you try it with me, 
 you'll burn your fingers and find out.' 
 
 Again in spite of everything Wyh Hazel laughed, ever so 
 softly, but undeniably. 
 
 4 Tell me what it is, and I will promise never to try it with 
 you.' Kitty's handsome face darkened. 
 
 ' Can you reason back from particular cases to general 
 principles ?' she said. 
 
 ' You always want a great many cases to form an induction,' 
 said Rollo, 4 1 thought you would shirk the question.' 
 
 ' Shirk ? not I,' said Miss Fisher. ' I was just going to give 
 you an instance. That girl, who has played coy all summer, 
 and wouldn't ride with a man here because she must have her 
 own horse, forsooth ; suddenly waives her scruples in favour 
 of another man, and finds she can ride his horse, without 
 difficulty.' 
 
 Wych Hazel drew tip her graceful figure to ite full height, 
 but she said not a word. Riding at ease, as usual, Rollo spoke 
 in a voice as clear as it was cold. 
 
 ' Only a coward, Miss Fisher, strikes a man or a woman 
 whose hands are bound. Good evening.'
 
 JEANNIE DEANS. 297 
 
 Lifting his hat with his most curt salutation, Rollo seized the 
 bridle of the brown mare and made her understand what was 
 expected of her, his own bay at the instant springing forward 
 with a bound. Miss Kitty was left in the distance. Neither was 
 she mounted well enough to follow if she had had the inclina- 
 tion. The run this time was in good earnest, till they drew 
 rein again near the gate of Chickaree. 
 
 4 I knew I could trust you to keep your seat,' said Rollo then 
 lightly to his companion, ' even if I was unceremonious.' 
 
 ' And I ' That sentence was never finished. This last run 
 had rather shaken the colour out of her cheeks than into them. 
 But Hazel had a good deal of real bravery about her ; and in a 
 minute more she turned again to her companion. 
 
 4 Thank you, Mr. Rollo,' she said gravely. ' I think you are 
 a true knight.' 
 
 4 You might as well talk reason to Vixen as to Kitty Fisher,' 
 muttered Rollo. But in another minute he changed his tone. 
 
 ' Are you tired ?' 
 
 4 I hardly know I Which should prove that I am not.' 
 
 ' I am afraid it don't prove that at all.' 
 
 He was silent till they came to the door where they had 
 mounted in the afternoon. Dismounting then, and coming to 
 AVych Hazel's side to do the sam^ service for her, Mr. Rollo 
 lingered a little about the preliminaries ; as if he liked them. 
 
 4 Mrs. By wank tells me,' he said, ' that you have been eager 
 all summer for the riding you could not have. You must for- 
 give her, she cannot help talking of you. Will you do me the 
 honour to let Jeannie Deans stand in your stable for the present, 
 and ride her with whomsoever you please to honour in that 
 way.' 
 
 There was a little inarticulate cry of joy at that, then 
 timidly, 
 
 'But, Mr. Rollo ' 
 
 Well?' said he softly. 
 
 4 You might want her. And if I rode with other people, 
 they might take me where you would not like her to go. Will 
 you let me ride her sometimes just by myself?' she said, 
 glancing at him and instantly away again.
 
 298 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 ' That is for your pleasure to say,' he returned lightly, lifting 
 her down. And then, detaining her slightly for just half a 
 second, he added, laughing, 
 
 ' Please don't take Jeannie anywhere that I would not like her 
 to go I 1
 
 CHAPTER XXX. 
 
 THAT night, and the next morning, Miss Kennedy had a fight 
 with herself, trying hard to regain her footing, which was 
 constantly swept away again by some new incoming tide of 
 thoughts. It looks an easy matter enough, to climb out once 
 more upon the ice through which you have broken ; but when 
 piece after piece comes off in your hands sousing you deeper 
 down than before, the thing begins to look serious. And in 
 this case the young lady began to get impatient. 
 
 ' Such unmitigated nonsense ! ' she declared to herself, with 
 her cheeks on fire. But nevertheless said nonsense lifted its 
 head very cleverly from under all the negations she could pile 
 upon it ; and indeed looked rather refreshed than otherwise by 
 the operation. How Mr. Falkirk had dimly hinted at such 
 things, long ago, and how she had laughed at them ! Was 
 this what he had suggested her confiding to him? Whereupon 
 Miss Kennedy brought herself up short. 
 
 ' I should like to know what I have to confide!' she said. 
 ' I hope I am not quite a fool.' And with that she beat a retreat, 
 and rushed down-stairs, and gave Mr. Falkirk an extravaganza 
 of extra length and brilliancy for his breakfast; which, how- 
 ever, it may be noted, did not include any particulars of her 
 ride. But when breakfast was over, Miss Kennedy for a moment 
 descended to business. 
 
 ' By the way, sir, I should tell you, Mr. Rollo proposes tc 
 leave one of his horses here, for me to use till my own come, 
 if that extraordinary day ever arrives. Are you agreeable 
 or otherwise Mr. Falkirk? ' 
 
 ' I have never made any professions of being agreeable, Mi 
 Hazel ; and it never was charged to me, that I know.'
 
 300 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 4 No, ear, certainly, not when rides are in question. But 
 may I use this horse, which has the misfortune to belong to 
 somebody else?' 
 
 4 1 suppose he wouldn't give it to you if it was not fit for 
 you to use,' said Mr. Falkirk, rather growlingly it must be 
 confessed. ' Does he expect you to ride it with anybody but 
 him, my dear ? ' 
 
 ' As he made no mention of expecting me to ride with him, 
 sir, the question presents itself somewhat differently to my 
 mind,' said Miss Kennedy, with some heightening of colour. 
 It had not been a ' pale ' morning, altogether. ' Having a 
 horse, Mr. Falkirk, may I ride with whom I like?' 
 
 ' If the giver of the horse has no objection, Miss Hazel, I 
 make none.' 
 
 ' I am afraid, sir, your long seclusion has slightly unsettled 
 your mind,' said Wych Hazel, looking at him with grave con- 
 sideration. ' There is no " giver " of the horse in the first place ; 
 and in the second, you know perfectly well that with his first 
 "objection" to my escorts, the horse would go back. And 
 you used to be so exact, Mr. Falkirk 1' she added, in a melan- 
 choly tone. 
 
 4 Yes, my dear,' said her guardian, passing his hand over his 
 face ; ' no doubt my mind is in the condition you suggest. 1 
 am probably enchanted ; which does not help me to guard 
 you from falling into the same awkward condition. But, Miss 
 Hazel, I have engaged a new groom for you. I desire that you 
 will take him with you instead of Dingee. Dingee is no more 
 than a monkey.' 
 
 It fell out, however, that Miss Kennedy in the next few days 
 refused several ' escorts,' on her own responsibility ; saying 
 nothing about Jeannie Deans. Instead whereof, she went off 
 in the early morning hours and had delightful long trots by 
 herself, with only the new groom ; who, she did not happen to 
 remark, developed a remarkable familiarity with the new horse. 
 Threading her way among the beautiful woods of Chickaree, 
 wherever a bridle-path offered, and sure to be at home long 
 before Mr. Falkirk's arrival to breakfast, so that he knew 
 nothing whatever about the matter. Just why this course of
 
 THE WILL. 301 
 
 action was in favour, perhaps the young lady herself could 
 scarcely have told, had she tried ; but she did not try. Whether 
 other associations would break the harmony of some already 
 well established; whether she feared people's questions about 
 her horse; whether she liked the wild, irregular roaming 
 through the forest 
 
 ' 'ith no one nigh to bender ' 
 
 as Lowell has it. This last was undeniably true. 
 
 Meantime Mr. Rollo himself was away again gone for a few 
 days at first, and then by business kept on and on ; and it 
 suddenly flashed into Wych Hazel's mind one day, that now, 
 before he got home, was the very time to go and have a good 
 long talk with Primrose and her father. Nobody there to come 
 in even at dinner time but Dr. Arthur; and him Wych Hazel 
 liked so much and minded so little, that Dr. Arthur was in 
 some danger of minding it a good deal. She would go early 
 and ride Jeannie Deans, and get home before the crowd of 
 loungers got out for their afternoon's play. At most it was 
 but a little way from Dr. Maryland's to the edge of her own 
 woods ; not more than three miles perhaps; four to the gate. 
 
 Primrose was overjoyed to see her. 
 
 ' AVhat does make your visits so few and far between?' she 
 cried as her hand came to lift off Wych Hazel's hat. 
 
 ' Well, what does make yours?' said Hazel gaily. ' I am 
 come for a little talk with you, and a lecture from Dr. Mary- 
 land, and any other nice thing I can find.' 
 
 4 Then we shall keep you to dinner, and I'll have your horse 
 put up. I do not see so much of you, Hazel, as I hoped I 
 should when you came. You are such a gay lady ! ' 
 
 It was difficult to deny this. However, the talk ran on to 
 other pleasanter topics, and was enjoyed by both parties for 
 about half an hour. Then came a hindrance in the shape of a 
 lady wearing the very face that had bowed to Wych Hazel so 
 impressively from the carriage in Morton Hollow. The very 
 same ! the long pale features, the bandeaux of lustreless pale 
 hair enclosing them, and two of those lustreless eyes which look 
 as if they had not depth enough to be blue ; eyes which give,
 
 302 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 and often appropriately, the feeling of jshallowness in the cha- 
 racter. But now and then a shallow lake of water has a pit of 
 awful depth somewhere. 
 
 Prim's face did not welcome the interruption. 
 
 ' This is my sister, Prudentia Mrs. Coles,' she said. ' It is 
 Miss Kennedy, Prudentia.' 
 
 A most gracious, not to say ingratiating, bend and smile of 
 Mrs. Coles answered this. She was a tall, thin figure, dressed 
 in black. It threw out the pale face and flaxen bandeaux and 
 light grey eyes into the more relief. 
 
 ' I am delighted to see Miss Kennedy,' she said. ' It is quite 
 a hoped-for pleasure. But I have seen her before just seen 
 her.' 
 
 Wych Hazel bowed remembering with some amusement Mr. 
 Rollo's caracole on the former occasion all about Mrs. Coles. 
 Privately she wished she had not promised to stay to dinner. 
 
 ' I was frightened to death at your riding ' the lady went 
 on. ' Did your horse start at anything?' 
 
 ' My horse starts very often when I am on him,' said Wych 
 Hazel, laughing. 
 
 ' Does he ! And do you think that is quite safe ? ' 
 
 4 Why not ? if I start too. The chief danger in such cases 
 is in being left behind.' 
 
 Wych Hazel was getting her witch mood on fast. Mrs. Coles 
 looked a trifle puzzled. 
 
 ' But, my dear ! ' she said, ' the danger of that, I should think, 
 would be if the other horse started.' 
 
 ' no, ma'am,' said Hazel gravely. ' My escorts never even 
 so much as think of running away from me.' 
 
 At that point Primrose's gravity gave way, and she burst 
 into a laugh. Mrs. Coles changed the subject. 
 
 ' I have been very impatient to see one I have heard so much 
 of,' she began again. ' In fact I have heard of you always. I 
 should have called at Chickaree, but I couldn't get any one to 
 take me. Arthur, he was busy and Dr. Maryland never goes 
 anywhere but to visit his people Prim goes everywhere, but 
 it is not where I want to go, for pleasure ; and Dane I asked, 
 and he wouldn't.'
 
 THE WILL. 303 
 
 ' He did not say he wouldn't, Prudentia,' remarked her sister. 
 
 ' He didn't say he would,' returned Mrs. Coles with a peculiar 
 laugh ; ' and I knew what that meant. 0, I should have got 
 there some time. I will yet.' 
 
 Miss Kennedy bowed she believed the fault must be hers. 
 But she had not quite understood or had confused things 
 in her press of engagements. 
 
 Mrs. Coles graciously assumed that there had been no failure 
 in that quarter. And Dr. Maryland came in, and the dinner. 
 A nice little square party they were, for Dr. Arthur was not 
 at home ; and yet somehow the conversation flowed in more 
 barren channels than was ever the wont at that table in Wych 
 Hazel's experience. A great deal of talk was about what 
 people were doing ; a little about what they were wearing ; an 
 enormous amount about what they were saying. Part of this 
 seemed to be religious talk too, and yet what was the matter 
 with it? Or was it with Wych Hazel that something was the 
 matter ? Primrose and Dr. Maryland then shared the trouble, 
 for whatever they said was in attempted diversion or correc- 
 tion or emendation. Certainly among them all the talk did 
 not languish. 
 
 There came a pause for a short space after dinner, when Dr. 
 Maryland had gone back to his study. Then there was a de- 
 mand for Primrose ; one of her Sunday school children wanted 
 her. Wyeh Hazel and Mrs. Coles were left alone. Mrs. Coles 
 changed her seat for one nearer the young lady. 
 
 ' I have been really anxious to see you, my dear Miss Ken- 
 nedy,' she began benignly. 
 
 ' Some one of my escapades has reached her ears ! ' thought 
 the young lady to herself ; ' now if I can give her a good, 
 harmless, mental shock, just to bear it out! I certainly will,' 
 ' That sounds very kind,' she said aloud. 
 
 ' Yes, you know I heard so much about you when you were 
 a child, and your connection with this house, and all ; and 
 your whole romantic story ; and now when I learned that you 
 were grown up and here again, I really wanted to see you and 
 see how you looked. I must, you know,' she added, with her 
 peculiar smile.
 
 304 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 There was BO muoh in these words that was incomprehensible, 
 that Wych Hazel for the moment was at a loss for any answer 
 at all ; and waited for what would come next, with eyes rather 
 larger than usual. Mrs. Coles went on, scanning her carefully 
 as she spoke, that same smile, half flattering, half assuming, 
 wreathing her lips. 
 
 ' I did want very muoh to see you I was curious, and I am. 
 Do tell me how does it feel to have two guardians ? I should 
 think, you know, that one would be enough for comfort ; and 
 the other is sure to be a jealous guardian. Perhaps you don't 
 mind it,' added Mrs. Coles, with a face so amiable, that if Wych 
 Hazel had been a cat it would have certainly provoked a spring. 
 
 The first thing that struck the girl in this speech, was a cer- 
 tain sinister something, which by sheer instinct of self-defence 
 threw her into position at once. The outward expression of 
 it, this time, seemed to be just one of the poor jokes about 
 Mr. Rollo. ' Have you two guardians? ' Mr Nightingale had said. 
 
 ' 0. sometimes I mind one, and sometimes I do not ! ' she 
 answered with a laugh. 
 
 ' Ah, but which one do you mind ? ' said Mrs. Coles shrewdly. 
 Or do they both pull together? To be sure, that ia to be 
 hoped, for your sake. It is a very peculiar position ! And, I 
 should think, trying. It would be to me.' 
 
 1 People say there are a good many trying situations in life,' 
 said Wych Hazel meekly, watching her antagonist. Why did 
 the lady seem to her such? 
 
 ' Yes ! ' said Mrs. Coles with half a sigh. ' And to be young 
 and rich and gifted with beauty and loaded with admiration, 
 isn't the worst; if it is trying to enjoy it all between two 
 guardians. Do they keep you very close, my dear?' 
 
 (' I think she is a little crazy,' thought the girl. ' No 
 wonder with such eyes.' ) ' A dozen could hardly do that, 
 ma'am, thank you. Makes a more difficult fence to leap, of 
 course but when you are used to the exercise ' 
 
 Mrs. Coles laughed, a thin peculiar sort of laugh, not enjoy- 
 able to the hearer, though seeming to be enjoyed by the 
 person from whom it proceeded. She had the air of being 
 amused.
 
 THE WILL. 305 
 
 4 Well,' she said, ' I should like to see you leap over fences 
 of Dane's making. He used to do that for mine, sometimes ; 
 it would serve him right. Does he know you do it ? ' 
 
 Unmistakeably, by degrees, Hazel felt her pulses quickening. 
 There was more in this than mere banter ; it was too connected 
 and full of purpose for insanity. What was it? what dread 
 was softly creeping towards her; and she could hear only a 
 breaking twig or a rustling leaf ? She must be very wary ! 
 
 ' I have been riding in other directions,' she answered care- 
 lessly. ' And not leaping much at all.' 
 
 The laugh just appeared again. 
 
 ' Of course I do not know, but I fancy, his fences would not 
 be easy to get over ; Dane's, I mean. He was a very difficult 
 boy to manage. Indeed I cannot say that I ever did manage 
 him. He would have his own way, and my father always 
 would take sides with him. So everybody. So Primrose. 0, 
 Prim won't hear me say a word against him. And I am not 
 saying a word against him ; only I was very curious to know 
 how he would fill his new office, and how well you would like 
 it, and how it would all work. It is quite a romance, really.' 
 
 4 And it is quite easy to make out a romance where none 
 exists,' said Miss Kennedy in a frigid tone. 
 
 4 My dear 1 you wouldn't say that your case is not a 
 romance ? ' said Mrs. Coles. 4 1 never knew one equal to it, 
 out of books ; and in them one always thinks the situation is 
 made up. And to be sure, so is this : only Mr. Kennedy and 
 Dane's father made it up between them. Don't you call your 
 case a romance?' 
 
 'What part of my own case?' said the girl defiantly. If 
 people had come to this, it was high time to stop them. 4 Per- 
 haps if you will be kind enough to speak more in detail, I may 
 be able to put you right on several points. 1 
 
 4 My dear ! ' said Mrs. Coles, again with a surprised and pro- 
 tecting air, through which the amusement nevertheless shone. 
 4 Don't you call the terms of the will romantic?' 
 
 4 What will ? and what terms ? ' The defiance was in her 
 eyes now. 4 1 cannot correct details if you keep to generals. ' 
 
 4 Your father's will, my dear ; your father's and mother's, I 
 U
 
 306 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 should say, for she added her signature and confirmation. 
 And I am sure that was one remarkable thing. It is so uncer- 
 tain how boys will grow up.' 
 
 ' And the romance ?' said Wych Hazel ' Will you tell me 
 what version of it you have heard? 1 
 
 'Why, my dear, you know Dane is your guardian, don't 
 you?' 
 
 The girl's heart gave a bound but that would wait ; just 
 now there was other business on hand. 
 
 ' Well,' she said, ' is that the opening chapter ? What comes 
 next ? I cannot review in part.' 
 
 ' But didn't you know that, my dear? Did they keep it from 
 you?' 
 
 Wych Hazel laughed, Mrs. Coles was too much a stranger 
 to her to know how, and took out her watch. ' I must go in 
 ten minutes,' she said, ' and I do want to hear this " romance " 
 first. One's private affairs get such fresh little touches from 
 strange hands! Just see what a heading for your next 
 chapter, Mrs. Coles," N.B. The heroine did not know her- 
 self." Will it take you more than ten minutes?' she added 
 persuasively. 
 
 ' If you didn't know, Primrose will be very angry with me, ' 
 said the lady ; not seeming terrified, by the way ; ' and Daue 
 will be fit to take my head off. I had better go away before 
 he comes. 1 
 
 ' Why, he is not your guardian too, is he ? ' said the girl mock- 
 ingly. "That would prove him a man of more unbounded 
 resources than even I had reason to suppose.' 
 
 4 No,' said Prudentia, ' it was the other way. I was his once, 
 practically. Not legally of course. That was my father. But 
 do tell me have I done something dreadful in telling you 
 this?' 
 
 Til tell you things when you have told me,' said Wych 
 Hazel. ' No cross-examination can go on from both sides at 
 once. But I have only nine minutes now ; so your part of the 
 fun, Mrs. Coles, will be cut short, I foresee.' Certainly Mrs. 
 Coles might well be jpuzzled. But Wych Hazel had met with 
 her match.
 
 THE WILL. 307 
 
 ' My deal-,' the lady returned, ' what do you want me to say ? 
 If you know about the will that is what I was thinking of. I 
 don't want to say anything I should not say. I didn't know 
 but you knew.' 
 
 ' And I didn't know but you didn't know,' said Miss Kennedy, 
 feeling as nearly wild as anybody well could. ' If you do not, 
 and I do, it is just as well, I daresay.' And she rose up and 
 crossed the room to an open window from which she could 
 speak to her groom, Lewis, in the distance, ordering up her 
 horse. Mrs. Coles had a good view of her as she went and 
 returned, steady, erect, and swift. 
 
 ' My dear,' said the lady with that same little laugh, ' I know 
 all about it, and did twelve years ago. You have nothing to 
 tell me except how the plan works. About that, I confess, I 
 was curious.' 
 
 ' 0, 1 shall not tell you that, Mrs. Coles, unless I hear exactly 
 what you suppose the plan to be. Exactness is very important 
 in such cases. And, by-the-by, you must be the lady of whom 
 Mr. Rollo has spoken to me several times,' said Wych Hazel, 
 with a sudden look. 
 
 ' Has he ? What did he say ? ' 
 
 ' Several things. But my horse is coming. Do you think 
 Mr. Rollo would really object to our discussing the " romance " 
 together?' 
 
 AVas it cunning or instinct in Wych Hazel? Mrs. Coles 
 answered with a significant chuckle, but added' My dear, 
 you know he has money enough of his own.' 
 
 ' Has he?' said Hazel, seeming to feel the lava crack under 
 her feet, and expecting every moment a hot sulphur bath. 
 
 ' So of course he is not to be supposed to want any more. 
 Didn't you know he was rich ? ' 
 
 ' Never thought about it, if I did.' 
 
 ' No, I suppose not. But if you never thought about it, nor 
 about him, I declare ! it is hard that he should have the dis- 
 posal of you and all you've got. Rich! his father was rich, 
 and his money has been growing and growing all these years. 
 I daresay he'll not be a bad master, but yet, it's rather a 
 hard case, if you never thought of him.'
 
 308 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 Wych Hazel was silent a moment, as if thinking. 
 
 ' What was the exact wording of the will, Mrs. Coles? Do 
 you remember ? ' 
 
 ' Wording ? I don't know about wording, the lawyers curl 
 their words round so, and plait them together ; but the sense 
 I know well enough ; the terms of the will. It made a great 
 impression upon me ; and then seeing Dane for so many years, 
 and knowing all about it, I couldn't forget it. This was the 
 way of it. You know your father, and your mother, and 
 Dane's father were immense friends?' 
 
 She paused, but Wych Hazel gave her no help. 
 
 ' So they struck up this plan between them, when Mr. 
 Kennedy knew he was ill and wouldn't ever be well again, and 
 that his wife would not long outlive him. You were put under 
 that old gentleman's guardianship, I forget his name at this 
 minuie, but you know it well enough, Mr. Falkirk ! that was 
 it. You were to be under Mr. Falkirk's guardianship, and 
 Dane was to be the ward of my father , and so it was, you 
 know. But when he arrived at the age of twenty-five, upon 
 making certain declarations formally, before the proper persons, 
 Dane, the will appointed, should be joint guardian with Mr. 
 Falkirk, and look after you himself.' 
 
 Mrs. Coles paused and surveyed her auditor ; indeed she had 
 been doing that all along. And perhaps people of her sort are 
 moved from first to last by a feeling akin to that which pos- 
 sessed the old Roman world, when men were put to painful 
 deaths at public and private shows to gratify a critical curiosity 
 which observed how they conquered pain or succumbed under 
 it. Mrs. Coles paused. 
 
 ' But I haven't told you,' she went on, with a look as sharp 
 as a needle, ' I haven't told you yet the substance of the de- 
 clarations Dane was to make, to enable him to take his position. 
 He was to declare, that it was his wish and purpose to make 
 you his wife. Upon that understanding, with the approbation 
 of Mr. Falkirk and my father, the thing was all to be fixed, as 
 I toid you. Then you would be between two guardians. And 
 if you, up to the age of twenty-five, married any one else, 
 against their joint consent, your lands and properties were to
 
 THE WILL. 309 
 
 pass away from you to him, except a certain provision settled 
 upon you for life. And,' said Mrs. Coles, with another chuckle, 
 ' I wanted to know how it feels.' 
 
 Had an arrow or a bullet gone through her? or was it only 
 the hot iron burning in those words ? Hazel did not know. 
 The one coherent thought in the girl's mind, was that a dying 
 standard-bearer will sometimes bring away his colours. She 
 brought off hers. 
 
 ' I see but two mistakes,' she said, forcing herself to speak 
 slowly, clearly. ' But I daresay either Mr. Hollo or Mr. Falkirk 
 can point them out, any time. I must go. Good afternoon.' ' 
 
 She was gone Mrs. Coles hardly knew by which way. The 
 next minute Dr. Maryland's study door that looked on the 
 garden swung back, and Wych Hazel stood by his side. Out- 
 side were Lewis and Jeannie Deans. Her eyes were in a glitter, 
 the Doctor could see nothing else. 
 
 ' Sir,' she said, laying her hand on his book in her eagerness, 
 ' excuse me, Is this story that Mrs. Coles tells, true'?' 
 
 In utter astonishment, gentle, wondering, benignant, the 
 Doctor looked up at her. 
 
 ' Hazel? What is the matter? Sit down, my dear, if you 
 want to speak to me.' 
 
 She moved a few steps off, as if afraid of being held. ' la 
 
 this true, Dr. Maryland, that she says about me and 
 
 Mr. Rollo?' The words half choked her, but she got them 
 out. ' The will ? don't you know ? you must know ! Is it 
 true?' 
 
 'What are you talking of, Hazel? Sit down, my dear. 
 Prudentia? What has she been talking to you about? I 
 hope ' 
 
 ' My father's will, does she know?' Hazel repeated. 
 
 4 Your father's will ? Prudentia ? Has she been talking to 
 you of that ! My dear, that was not necessary. It was not 
 needful that you should hear anything about it; not now. 
 I am sorry. Prudentia must have forgotten herself!' Dr. 
 Maryland looked seriously disturbed. 
 
 ' You do not tell me !' cried the girl. ' Dr. Maryland, is it 
 true, what she says ? '
 
 310 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 ' I do not know what she has said, my dear. But you need 
 not be troubled about it. It was a kind will, and I think on 
 the whole a wise one, guarded on every side. What has 
 Prudentia said to you, Hazel ?' The Doctor spoke with grave 
 authority now. 
 
 To which Miss Kennedy replied characteristically. She had 
 caught up the words as he went on, ' not needful she should 
 know,' 'she need not be troubled,' then it was true! 
 Everybody knew it except herself ; everybody was doubtless 
 also wondering how it felt ! For a second she looked straight 
 into her old friend's face, trying vainly to find a negative 
 there, and then without a word she was off. And if Lewis 
 had been called upon to bear witness, he might have said, that 
 his young mistress flew into the saddle, and then flew home.
 
 CHAPTER XXXI. 
 
 WHOSE WILL? 
 
 A GREAT new sorrow is a many-cornered thing; having its 
 eharp points that sting, and its jagged points that wound ; 
 with others so dull and heavy and immoveable that one is 
 ready to wish they could pierce through and make an end. 
 And it is quite impossible to tell beforehand oil which of them 
 we may happen to stick first. 
 
 Wych Hazel tried them all on her way home ; but when that 
 last one came, it stayed ; and through all the sharpness of the 
 others through anger and mortification and the keen sense of 
 injury, and the fiery rebellion against control the moveless 
 weight upon her breast was worse than all. What was it? 
 What laid it there? Not much, to look at. A poor little 
 plant, cut down and fallen that was all. Nobody knew when 
 it started, and no one could say that it would erer blooux : it 
 had been doubtful and shy of its own existence, and she herself 
 had never guessed it was there, till suddenly its fragrance was 
 all around. And even now, wilted and under foot, it was 
 sweeter than everything else : sweeter than even its own self 
 had ever been before. Yes ; of all the bitter truths she had 
 heard that day, this that she said to herself was the one 
 supreme : Gyda's words of expectation would never be made 
 good. 
 
 ' Never,' she repeated. ' Never, never ! ' and it seemed to 
 Hazel that in all her lonely life she had never before known 
 what it was to feel alone. 
 
 This then explained all his wonderful care of her of course ! 
 it was part of his legal duty. She should learn to hate him 
 now, she knew. Very likely he found it amusing as well ! It
 
 312 WTCH HAZEL. 
 
 must be rather spicy work to a man loving power, to manage 
 a wild girl and her estate together and with that Miss Ken- 
 nedy's resolution took a vehement turn. And this was why 
 Mr. Falkirk had been so easy and why and why At 
 which point thoughts and breath got in an utter tangle, and 
 she had to begin all over again. 
 
 He could not wait to be guardian till she gave him permis- 
 sion.-' Well for him ! ' said Miss Hazel, with a gesture of her 
 head. And then if she married anybody else without his leave 
 and she would have to ask his leave ! Would she ? not 
 quite, the girl thought to herself. Neither in great things 
 nor in small would he be troubled much in that way. Very 
 generous of him to declare his purpose of of And here 
 suddenly thoughts flew off to Gyda's soft-spoken title for her 
 words that bore yet their freight of shame and pleasure, for 
 Hazel's head went down. She brought herself back sharply. 
 
 Very nice of him to tell other people what he meant to do ! 
 of course her purposes in that line were of small moment, if 
 she had any. Things would run in this style now, she sup- 
 posed : ' Thank you, Mr. May, I will ask Mr. Falkirk ; and if 
 he approves I will ask Mr. Rollo if I can find him, for he is 
 generally away. And if he says yes, I can go.' 
 
 No visitors saw her that day; and Mr. Falkirk had his 
 breakfast alone, watched over by Mrs. Bywank. ' Miss Wych 
 had a headache,' which was extremely likely, as she had 
 cried all night. But after that the world of Chickaree went 
 on as usual, to all outward appearance. 
 
 Some weeks had passed over since the ride to Morton Hollow, 
 when one afternoon Hollo's bay again walked up to the side 
 entrance of the Chickaree house. The few days of his intended 
 absence had been lengthened out by the wearisome delays of 
 business, so that that morning had seen the young gentleman 
 but just home. In the course of a private interview with Dr. 
 Maryland he had received some disagreeable information. 
 
 ' By the way, Dane,' said Dr. Maryland reluctantly, ' I have 
 bad news for you.' 
 
 'What is it, sir?' 
 
 4 At least it is not good. How bad it may be I can't tell.
 
 WHOSE WILL? 313 
 
 Hazel has beard all about what she shouldn t have heard ! 
 the terms of the will and the whole story.' 
 
 A flash of very disagreeable surprise crossed the young man's 
 face. He was silent. 
 
 ' It seems Prudentia told her,' Dr. Maryland went on, 
 uneasily. ' I don't understand how she could be so thought- 
 less ; but so it is. Hazel was very much excited by what she 
 heard.' 
 
 ' Naturally ! You saw her ? ' 
 
 ' For a minute. She came to me to know if it was true ; 
 but she did not stay after that.' 
 
 No remark from the opposite party. 
 
 ' I'm very sorry about it,' continued the old gentleman. 
 ' I'm afraid I was afraid, it might make you trouble, Dane. 
 Prudentia is much to blame.' 
 
 Dane answered nothing. He wrung his late guardian's 
 hand by way of acknowledging his sympathy, and left the 
 study. 
 
 ' I had almost caught my bird ! ' was his thought, pretty 
 bitterly realized, ' and this woman has broken my snares. It 
 isn't the first time ! ' 
 
 He saw, he thought he saw, the whole character and extent 
 of the mischief that had been done. He knew Wych Hazel ; 
 he could guess at the bound of revulsion her spirit would make 
 at several points in the narrative that had been told her. He 
 knew Prudentia ; he could fancy that the details lost nothing 
 in the giving. 
 
 But the steadiness, not of feeling but of nerves and judg- 
 ment, which was characteristic of him, kept his eyesight clear 
 even now. He did not fall into Wych Hazel's confusion of 
 thoughts and notions ; nor did his hunter's instincts fail him. 
 His game was removed to a distance ; that he saw ; it might be 
 a long distance ; and how much patient skill might be called 
 for before it would be within his grasp again it was impossible 
 to guess. There were odds of another hunter catching up the 
 coveted quarry ; other snares might be set, of a less legitimate 
 nature ; other weapons called into play than his own. There 
 are some natures who do not know how to fail, and who never
 
 314 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 do fail in what they set themselves to accomplish. In spite of 
 disadvantages, Rollo had very much in his favour , and this 
 peculiar constitution of mind, among other things. 
 
 He would go up to Chickaree that same day. Before pre- 
 senting himself there, he and the bay horse travelled, I am 
 afraid to say how many miles in two hours. But nerves and 
 senses were in their usual condition of excellent soundness, and 
 his temper in its usual poise, when he turned in at the gate of 
 Chickaree, and mounted the hill. 
 
 Before he quite reached the house, however, Mr. Rollo, being 
 quick of eye, caught a signal from among the trees down 
 towards the garden ; a woman's hand raised in the fashion of 
 a Sunday school scholar asking leave to speak. Drawing 
 bridle, to make sure that he saw right, or to find what this 
 strange sign might mean, he presently saw little Phoebe of the 
 mill, who, leaving her basket of muslins on the grass, now 
 came running towards him. Phoebe's regard for Mr. Rollo, it 
 may be said, was second only to her devotion to her mistress. 
 
 ' I hope I'm not taking too much of a liberty, sir,' she began, 
 all out of breath with eagerness and running, ' but I said to 
 myself may be Mr. Rollo would know what to do. For I'm 
 sure Miss Hazel must be very sick, and nobody takes a bit of 
 notice.' 
 
 The inner pang with which this advice was received did not 
 at all appear. Rider and horse were motionless, and the answer 
 was a grave 
 
 'Why do you think so, Phoebe?' 
 
 4 May I tell you all about it, sir ? ' said the girl, earnestly. 
 Then without waiting for permission ' I never have told a 
 living soul, Mr. Rollo ; for Mrs. By wank she shuts me up with : 
 " Do your work, Phcebe, and don't talk ; " and so I have, sir, 
 always. It was one day after a ride for she's had the beauti- 
 fullest horse, sir ! since you've been away, 1 guesa , and she'd 
 ride every morning before breakfast, and come home looking 
 Well, I can't begin to tell ! ' said Phcebe, enthusiastically. ' But 
 Reo said it was the flush of the morning going through his gate.' 
 
 The bay lifted up one foot and struck it impatiently on the 
 ground. His rider sat still, waiting upon Phoebe's words.
 
 "The bay lifted up one foot, and struck it impatiently on the ground. His 
 rider sat still, waiting upon Phoebe's words." P. 314.

 
 ' WILL ? 315 
 
 The reing were on the horse's neck, but the creature probably 
 had made up his mind that any volunteer extra steps were 
 unnecessary under his new master ; for he stood like a rock, 
 that one foot excepted. 
 
 4 So,' said Phoebe, taking up her broken thread, * of course 
 Jennie Deans (that's the horse, Mr. Rollo) began to love her, 
 might and main, right off as everybody does ; but even Mr. 
 Lewis allowed he never saw a horse learn so quick. And it 
 isn't often he allows anything,' said Phoebe, with the slightest 
 toss of her head. ' It wasn't for sugar, sometimes Miss Hazel 
 would give her a lump, but generally not ; only she'd pat her 
 and talk to her, and look in her face, and then Jennie'd look 
 right at her, and begin to follow round if Miss Hazel just held 
 out her hand. Some days she'd come all the way up from 
 the lodge just so, not holding the bridle nor nothing, the 
 prettiest sight you ever saw, sir ! She didn't call her Jennie, 
 either, it was some short, queer name that I never did quite 
 hear, she'd say it so softly. Most like a bird's talk, of any- 
 thing.' Phoebe paused, smiling at the remembrance. 
 
 It was well her hearer's nerves were in training. He waited, 
 knowing that he should best get the whole by allowing the 
 yarn to reel off unbroken ; so now he only gave utterance to 
 an attentive ' But what next, Phoebe ? ' 
 
 ' 0, sir,' said the girl, suddenly sober again, ' one day I 
 didn't know where she'd been, Miss Hazel, I mean, but it was 
 afternoon and she was coming home. And I was out under 
 the trees like to-day, taking in. And Miss Hazel stopped and 
 sent Lewis back, and came on alone to the steps, sir, came 
 like the wind ! and jumped off. And then she off with her 
 glove and you know what Miss Hazel's hand is, sir, and the 
 little white thing began to fondle Jennie Deans. Patting her 
 neck, and stroking her face, and combing out her mane, and 
 fingering her ears ; and Jennie she held her head down, and 
 sideways, as if she meant to give all the help she could. And 
 I was looking on, Just among the bushes like, when all in a 
 minute Miss Hazel put both her arms right round the horse's 
 neck and laid her head close down and there she stood.' 
 Phoebe paused to take breath.
 
 316 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 ' Not ill then, Phoebe?' said her hearer, in a very low tone. 
 
 ' 0, I don't know, sir! ' answered Phoebe, her honest eyes all 
 in a flush. ' I don't know ! For just as I ran up to see, Mr. 
 Lewis he came back ; and the minute Miss Hazel heard, she 
 was off and away up the steps and into the house, and didn't 
 even wait to see if Lewis had found her handkerchief. But, 
 Mr. Rollo, she's never been to ride since that day ; not once. 
 And sometimes when she looks round sudden, her eyes '11 
 shine till they frighten you!' And Phoebe wiped her own 
 eyes with the corner of her apron, and looked up for aid and 
 comfort. 
 
 ' But Phoebe,' and Collingwood here made an impatient 
 movement rather suddenly and had to be brought back to his 
 business, ' what is the evidence of the illness you speak 
 about?' 
 
 ' Nothing else ever kept her from riding, Mr. Rollo. And 
 she don't eat not three bits, sometimes, only she 'lucinates 
 Mr. Falkirk so that he don't know. And when there's lots and 
 lots of grand company just gone, Miss Hazel will come walking 
 up-stairs 'most like one step at a time. There's no flying up 
 and down in the house now, sir. And if you could only once 
 see her eyes, Mr. Rollo ! And you know how she used to sing 
 every five minutes? well, she don't do that,' said Phoebe with 
 closing emphasis. 
 
 ' Thank you, Phoebe,' said the gentleman at last, ' I am very 
 much obliged to you. I will see what is best to be done.' 
 And with a kind nod to the girl he left her. But Collingwood 
 walked every step of the way from there to the door of the 
 house. Dingee answered the first summons, also shewing his 
 teeth with pleasure at sight of Mr. Rollo ; and ushering him in, 
 darted away on his errand. But Dingee presently returned, 
 more thoroughly taken aback than often befell him. 
 
 ' Can't make it out, 'xactly, sir,' he said, hesitating. ' Fact 
 ia, it's drefful hard work to 'member messages, sight easier 
 make 'em up ! But Missee Hazel say, Mas' Rollo thought she 
 say please to 'scuse her dis afternoon. 'Pears like dat ar' 
 headache done come back,' said Dingee in his bewilderment. 
 ' He been on hand, powerful I '
 
 WHOSE WILL? 317 
 
 ' I daresay you delivered the message quite right, Dingee,' 
 said the gentleman, not at all surprised at its tenor ; and giving 
 the boy something to justify the shewing of his ivories again, 
 he went away. And the bay walked every step of the road 
 down the hill through the woods to the gates of Chickaree ; but 
 from there he went in a long straight gallop home
 
 CHAPTER XXXII.^ 
 
 CAPTAIN LANCASTER'S TEAM. 
 
 IT was between eight and nine o'clock one evening, two or 
 three days later, when Mr. Rollo was informed that some one 
 wanted to speak to him. It was Reo Hartshorne. 
 
 ' Very glad to see you home, sir ! ' said Reo earnestly ; he 
 was a man of few words. ' I beg pardon, but are you going 
 to the Governor's to-night, Mr. Rollo ? ' 
 
 'Powder? No.' 
 
 ' I have just come from taking Miss Wych,' said Reo, ' and 
 met Lewis, and heard you were home. Mr. Rollo, do you 
 know that a four-in-hand party goes from Governor Powder's 
 to-night at ten o'clock ? ' 
 
 4 I have but lately got home, Reo, and so have not heard 
 quite all the news. But I have nothing to do with the four-in- 
 hand club.' 
 
 4 Miss Wych bade me come for her at eleven,' said Reo, 
 going straight to his point. ' And as she went in, Mr. Night- 
 ingale's man laughed and said I'd better not lose my time. 
 Eleven to-morrow would be nearer the mark. And I might 
 have told Mr. Falkirk, sir, but you were nearer by, and a 
 trifle quicker. So I came. They're to stop at Greenbush for 
 supper. And if some of those young men come out as fit to 
 drive as they went in, it'll be something they never did before.' 
 
 4 You came back this way, with the carriage ? ' 
 
 4 Yes, Mr. Rollo.' 
 
 * How do the horses go ? ' 
 
 4 First-rate, sir. Want nothing but using.' 
 
 4 Who is with you ? Dingee or Lewis ? ' 
 
 4 Lewis.' 
 
 18
 
 CAPTAIN LANCASTER'S TEAM. 319 
 
 ' You are not fit to be up all night, Reo. I will take Lewis, 
 and drop you at Chickaree as we pass.' 
 
 ' Fit to do anything for my little lady, Mr. Eollo. And I 
 know the horses.' 
 
 ' Very well. Go into the kitchen and get some refreshment. 
 Tell Lewis, Miss Maryland and I are going out in the carriage 
 and we will leave him at Chickaree. I will be ready in fifteen 
 minutes.' 
 
 And in fifteen minutes Primrose had been apprized of the 
 service required of her, was ready, and the party set out. 
 
 To Greenbush, round by Chickaree, was a drive of twenty 
 miles or more; from Valley Garden it was something less. 
 The road was quiet enough at that hour, winding through a 
 level part of the country, lying white and still in the unclouded 
 moonlight; and Greenbush was reached in due time. The 
 place was little more now than one of those old taverns to be 
 found on any stage route, with its settlement of out-buildings ; 
 but the present keeper of the house was an adept, and his 
 suppers were famous. The tavern, however, unlike most of its 
 class, stood in a patch of rather thick woodland, and boasted a 
 high surrounding fence and great gates at either entrance, 
 having been once a grand mansion. House and gateways were 
 all alight now, and the winding approach through the trees was 
 hung with swinging lamps. But the entrances were guarded. 
 
 ' No carriage admitted till the four-in-hands come in ! ' said 
 the men on duty. 
 
 On foot, however, privately and humbly, the gentleman and 
 lady were allowed entrance. Hollo secured a comfortable room, 
 with some difficulty, and also ordered and obtained supper. 
 Not without scruples and grumbles, all the strength of the 
 house being enlisted in the interests of the coming guests ; 
 nevertheless money will do everything ; and coffee, cold chicken 
 and bread and butter were served in tolerable style. It availed 
 only for outward circumstances of comfort, for poor Rosy was 
 extremely nervous and troubled in mind; very anxious for 
 Rollo, very discomfited on account of Wych Hazel, very doubt- 
 ful of the part she herself was to play. Rollo himself was 
 the red squirrel.
 
 320 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 Leaving Rosy with a kind admonition not to worry herself, 
 and to take some bread and chicken, he went out again to see 
 that the carriage was drawn up properly out of the way and 
 Reo's refreshment cared for; and then he took post himself 
 in the shadow of a clump of firs to wait for the expected 
 revellers. 
 
 ' Pity the lady hadn't stayed too, sir,' said one of the men. 
 ' They'll be along just now. There's more of 'em down than 
 common, this year, they tell me, and it'll be a show.' 
 
 Other people thought so too, evidently, for vehicles of various 
 sorts, and people to match, began to gather along the road, till 
 all the space about the entrance-way was well lined. An 
 expectant, rather noisy crowd ; a good deal in the interests of 
 horseflesh, but with a certain portion also of interest in gay 
 men and women. 
 
 ' There they come ! ' cried a boy high up in one of the trees ; 
 but at first it was only a quiet coach with two horses, Governor 
 Powder's own, and at once admitted. Then there was another 
 pause and at last down came the four-in-hands, with flashing 
 lamps, and harness that glittered all over in the moonlight, and 
 the fine in -time harmony of the horses' hoof -beats. There was 
 singing too, from some of the turn-outs glees and choruses 
 came in a faint, wild mingling that rose and fell and changed 
 with the changes of the road. 
 
 ' Captain Lancaster's ahead !' said one of the men. 
 
 'No it's Ricnard May.' 
 
 ' See for yourself, then,' said the other, as the first superb 
 four-in-hand came up ; the horses shining almost like their own 
 harness, the drag in the newest style of finish, and with every 
 seat toll. A young officer in undress uniform was on the box, 
 and by his side sat Wych Hazel. There was time for but a look 
 as the drag swept round the turn just time to see who it was, 
 and that she wore no bonnet, but instead a sort of Spanish 
 drapery of black lace, and that his horses gave Captain Lancaster 
 so little concern that Miss Kennedy had nearly all his atten- 
 tion, then the vision was gone. Not singing, these two, but 
 the spectators heard her sweet laugh. Flashing past, followed 
 by another and another, though not all of equal style. The
 
 CAPTAIN LANCASTER'S TEAM. 321 
 
 looker-on in the shade of the fir trees just noticed that Kitty 
 Fisher drove the second, just caught other familiar voices as 
 they flew by. 
 
 There is no doubt but Miss Kennedy's younger guardian felt 
 there was a hard task upon him that night. Out of all the 
 glamour and glitter, the brilliance and beauty of such an enter- 
 tainment, he must be the one to take her, and substitute an 
 ignominious quiet progress home in her own carriage for the 
 fascination and excitement of Captain Lancaster's driving, and 
 Captain Lancaster's and many others' homage. And worse 
 yet ; the authority which he guessed well enough the little lady 
 rebelled against more than against any other point in the 
 arrangement that had displeased her, must here find its first 
 exercise. However, well as he knew the bad move it was for 
 his own game, Mr. Eollo was not a man to shirk difficult tasks. 
 Neither was he so unpractised a hunter as to conclude that any 
 move that must be made, is a bad move. He knew better. So, 
 though he looked grave certainly as he walked back to the 
 house, he walked alertly, like a man ready for business. 
 
 He was not in a hurry. He gave time for the first confusion 
 to subside, and for people to get quiet in their places ; in so 
 far, that is, as comparative quiet might be predicated of any 
 point of that gay evening. Evening indeed ! The moon was 
 riding high in the zenith; it was between twelve and one 
 o'clock. Eollo walked the floor, and Primrose, miserable and 
 anxious, looked at him, and dared not say one word. Would 
 Hazel break friendship with her for ever? and kindness with 
 Kollo ? And how could Dane dare as he dared ! 
 
 When supper was just about to be served, one of the attend- 
 ants entered the room where the party was gathered, asking 
 if Miss Kennedy were there. A lady and gentleman wanted to 
 see Miss Kennedy. The message in due course of tune worked 
 round to the young lady. 
 
 ' Have you got any friends in these parts?' said Josephine 
 Powder laughing. It was the way of the entertainment; 
 nothing was said without laughing. 
 
 ' Must you go ? ' said Stuart Nightingale. 
 
 ' Another trick of Kitty Fisher's,' said Wych Hazel. ' That
 
 322 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 mysterious "lady and gentleman" again! You know they 
 sent my carriage away once. Oh yes, I will go and see what 
 mischief is on foot, and be back in a minute.' 
 
 The room where Rollo and Prim were waiting was down at 
 one end of the hall ; and dimly lighted as it was, in comparison 
 with the rest of the house, it seemed almost dark. They could 
 see her come down the hall, three or four gentlemen following ; 
 and she sending them back with laughing words and glances 
 thrown over her shoulder. 
 
 ' Now stop just where you are,' she said, turning round. ' I 
 go into the darkness alone, or the charm will be broken.' 
 
 And on she came with her airy tread, and was well in the 
 room before she saw anybody, and a servant had shut the door. 
 Then the change in her face was pitiful to see. In the excite- 
 ment of the drive and other things that night, she had evidently 
 forgotten for the time her new trouble. It came back now on 
 the instant, and for one quick moment she put up her hand to 
 her forehead as if with sudden pain. Then crossed both hands 
 upon her breast, and looked down, and stood still. 
 
 Rollo quitted the room. Primrose came to Wych Hazel's 
 side and threw her arms round her. 
 
 ' It's only I, dear Hazel, ' she said in tones of mingled trouble 
 and tenderness. 
 
 Miss Kennedy disengaged herself, not roughly but decidedly, 
 holding Primrose off, and looking at her. 
 
 ' What is the matter ? ' she said. ' Is Mr. Falkirk ill?' 
 
 'No, dear.' 
 
 ' Who then ? ' said Wych Hazel. ' Prim, never kill people by 
 degrees!' 
 
 ' Nobody's ill nobody ! There is nothing the matter with 
 anybody, Hazel except you. I've come to take care of you, 
 dear.' 
 
 ' Did you?' said the girl. ' I think you want some one to 
 take care of you, by your looks. But I am rather too busy 
 just now to read essays on sentiment, that can wait.' She 
 moved towards the door; but Primrose made a spring and 
 caught her. 
 
 4 Wait ! Hazel, you haven't heard what I wanted to say to
 
 CAPTAIN LANCASTER'S TEAM. 323 
 
 you. Don't be angry with me ! dear Hazel, do you know 
 what sort of times these four-in-hand people make down here ? ' 
 
 ' I intend to find out.' 
 
 ' But they are not fit for you, Hazel, indeed : it is not a fit 
 place for you to be. Hazel, they are often tipsy when they 
 drive home. Papa wouldn't let me be in such a place and ride 
 \\iih them, for anything. How come you to be here ? ' 
 
 Hazel freed herself again with impatient haste. 
 
 ' Let go of me !' she said. ' The man who drives me home 
 will be sober. I will not hear any more.' 
 
 ' Listen, Hazel, listen !' cried Prim, clinging to her. ' do 
 not be angry with me ! But you ought not to be here ; and 
 Duke will not let you stay, dear. We have brought the car- 
 riage to take you home.' 
 
 Prim never could tell afterwards what sort of a look or what 
 sort of a sound answered that ; what she did know was that 
 Wych Hazel was at the door and had it open in her hand. 
 Prim's gentleness, however, on this occasion was no bar to 
 energetic action ; with another spring she was at the door and 
 had taken it from Wych Hazel's hand, had shut it, and set her 
 back against it ; all too suddenly and determinately to leave 
 chance for prevention. 
 
 ' Hazel, dear, listen to me. You ought not to be here, and 
 Duke will not let you. He has come to take you home, and he 
 brought me with him because he thought it would be nicer for 
 you. And he thought you would rather see me than him ; but 
 if you won't listen to me, I must call him in. He will not let 
 you stay, Hazel ; and Duke always is right. But he thought 
 you would like better to go quietly off with me than to have 
 any fuss made, and all these people knowing about it and every- 
 body talking. Wouldn't it be nicer to go quietly without any 
 one knowing why you go ? ' 
 
 It was indescribable the way in which Miss Kennedy repeated 
 the word ' nice !' Then she spoke collectedly. 
 
 ' Prim, I do not want to call in any of my friends but I 
 declare I will, if you do not move away ! ' 
 
 ' Must I call Duke ? ' said Prim despairingly, keeping her 
 place.
 
 324 \VYCH HAZEL. 
 
 ' If you want him ' said Miss Kennedy, turning now towards 
 the bell. As the young lady faced about again, after pulling 
 the bell rope, she was confronted by her unwelcome guardian, 
 just before her. 
 
 It is almost proverbially known that the meeting of contrasts 
 is apt to have a powerful influence on one side or the other ; 
 unless indeed the opposing forces are, what rarely happens, of 
 equal weight. What met Wych Hazel as she looked at it was 
 power not of physical strength ; the power of high breeding, 
 which is imposing as well as graceful ; and also the power of 
 a perfectly unmoved self-possession. While there was at the 
 same time a winsome, gentle look, that she could hardly see in 
 her agitation, the spirit of which she could partly feel in the 
 voice that spoke to her. Neither cloud nor frown nor discom- 
 posure of any sort was in it. He bowed, and then held out his 
 hand. 
 
 ' Are you angry with me ? ' he said. ' With me, if anybody. 
 Not Prim.' 
 
 In the vagaries of human nature all things are possible. And 
 it is undoubted that in the first flash of eyes which greeted Mr. 
 Rollo there was mingled a certain gleam of fun. Whether the 
 prospect of a tilt had its excitements whether she was curious 
 to see how he would carry his new office, there it was. But 
 then the eye shadows grew deep and dark. She drew back a 
 little, not giving her hand ; making instead a somewhat formal 
 courtesy. 
 
 ' I was called here, it seems, to await your commands, Mr. 
 Rollo. May I have them, if they are ready ? ' 
 
 ' They are not ready,' he answered, in a very low tone, 
 'Let Miss Wych Hazel give commands to herself, and be 
 1 >yal and true in her obedience to them.' 
 
 ' I have given myself a good many since I have been in this 
 room,' said the girl, proudly. ' If I had not I should not be 
 here now.' 
 
 * Will you sit down ? ' 
 
 ' Thank you no. Unless we are to spend the rest of the 
 night in quiet conversation.' 
 
 'Then we will make the conversation short. Miss Hazel,
 
 CAPTAIN LANCASTER'S TEAM. 325 
 
 the company and the occasion you caine to grace to-night are 
 unworthy of the honour.' 
 
 He paused for a reply, but as none came, he went on. 
 
 ' You do not know it now, but in the meantime I know it ; 
 and I must act upon my knowledge. I have come to take you 
 home. Cannot you trust me, that I would not for much do 
 anything so displeasing to you, without good reason ? ' 
 
 'You men are so fond of being "trusted!"' she said 
 quietly, though there was some bitterness in the tone ' it is 
 almost a wonder it never occurs to you that a woman might like 
 it too ! I know every one of the carriage party with whom I 
 came. And that I did not ask Mr. Falkirk's leave before I left 
 home was only because I did not know that I should need it.' 
 But with that came a quick, painful blush, as suddenly remem- 
 bering other leave that must now be asked. 
 
 ' I believe you may be trusted thoroughly, so far as your 
 knowledge goes,' he answered, gravely. Then waited a moment 
 and went on. 
 
 ' You have had no supper. Will you take some refreshment 
 before we set out upon our return journey?' 
 
 She stood, leaning against the wall, not looking at anything 
 but the floor and not seeing that ; as still as if she had not 
 heard him. Thinking what was she thinking ? Then sud- 
 denly stood up and answered. 
 
 ' I can but obey. May I ask you to wait five minutes ? 
 Stand away, Prim, and let me pass.' 
 
 But he stayed her. 
 
 ' It is better not to set people's tongues at work. I have 
 sent a message to the Miss Powders, to the effect that Miss 
 Kennedy had been suddenly summoned home, and making your 
 excuses. As from yourself. No name but yours appeared.' 
 
 If there was any one thing he had done which tried her 
 almost unbearably, it was that ! There was a sort of quiet 
 despair in the way she turned from him and the door together, 
 and took the chair she had refused, and sat waiting. Eollo 
 brought her silently a cup of coffee and a plate with soinething 
 to eat, but both were refused. 
 
 ' Are you ready, Prim ? '
 
 326 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 Primrose nervously put on her bonnet, which she had with 
 nervous unrest taken off ; and Rollo offered his arm to "Wych 
 Hazel. 
 
 ' Let me go by myself,' she said again not roughly, but aa 
 if she could not help it. ' I am not going to run away.' 
 
 ' In that case it is certainly not the arm of a jailor,' said he, 
 stooping down by her and smiling. 
 
 But the words, or the look, or something about them, very 
 nearly got the -better of Wych Hazel's defences, and her eyes 
 flushed with tears. 
 
 * No no,' she said under her breath. ' I will follow. Go on.' 
 
 4 Certainly not me,' he answered. ' Go you with Prim, and 
 I will follow.' 
 
 One before and one behind! thought the girl to herself, 
 comparing the manner of her entrance. She went on, not 
 with Prim, but swiftly ahead of her, and put herself in the 
 carriage, as she had brought herself out of the house. Prim 
 followed. Rollo mounted the box and took the reins, and 
 having fresh horses from the inn they drove off at a smart pace. 
 And Hazel, laying one hand on the sill of the open window, 
 leaned her head against the frame, and so, wrapped in her 
 black lace, sat looking out, with eyes that never seemed to 
 waver. Into the white moonshine, which soon would give 
 way before the twilight 4 which should be dawn and a to- 
 morrow.' 
 
 For a long time Primrose bore this, thinking hard too on her 
 part. For she had much to think of, in connection with both 
 her companions. She was hurt for Rollo ; she was grieved for 
 Wych Hazel ; was there anything personal and private to herself 
 in her vexation at the needlessness of the trouble which was 
 affecting them? If there were, Primrose did not look at it 
 much. But it seemed very strange in her eyes that any one 
 should rebel against what was, to her, the honey sweetness of 
 Dane's authority. Strange that anything he disliked, should be 
 liked by anybody that had the happiness of his care. And 
 strange beyond strangeness, that this girl should slight such 
 words and looks as he bestowed upon her. Primrose knew 
 how deep the meaning of them was ; she knew how great the
 
 CAPTAIN LANCASTER'S TEAM. 327 
 
 grace of them was ; could it be possible Wych Hazel did not 
 know ? One such word and look would have made her happy 
 for days ; upon a few of them she could have lived a year. So 
 it seemed to her. She did not wish that they were hers ; she 
 did not repine that they were another's ; she only thought these 
 things. But there were other thoughts that came up, as a sigh 
 dismissed the foregoing. 
 
 ' Hazel ' she ventured gently, when half of the way was 
 done. 
 
 Hazel's thoughts had been so far away that she started. 
 * What ? ' she said hastily. 
 
 ' May I talk to you, just a little bit ?' 
 
 ' yes, certainly. Anybody may do anything to me.' 
 But she kept her position unchanged. ' I am listening, Prim.' 
 
 ' Hazel, dear, are you quite sure you are doing right '? ' 
 
 'About what?' 
 
 'About Please don't take it ill of me, but it troubles me, 
 Hazel. About this sort of life you are leading.' 
 
 ' This sort of life ? ' Hazel repeated, thinking over some of the 
 days last past. ' Much you know about it!' 
 
 ' I do not suppose I do. I cannot know much about it,' said 
 Primrose meekly. ' All my way of life has been so different. 
 But do you think, Hazel, really, that there is not something 
 better to do with oneself than what all these gay people do ? ' 
 
 ' I think you are a great deal better than I am if that will 
 content you.' 
 
 ' Why should it content me ? ' said Primrose, laughing a little. 
 ' I do not see anything pleasant in it, even supposing it were 
 true.' 
 
 ' There is some use in training you,' Hazel went on ; ' but no 
 amount of pruning would ever bring me into shape.' And with 
 that, somehow, there came up the thought of a little sketch, 
 wherein her hat swung gaily from the top of a rough hazel bush ; 
 and with the thought a pain so keen, that for the moment her 
 head went down upon her two hands on the window-sill. 
 
 Primrose was silent a few moments, not knowing just how 
 to speak. 
 
 ' But Hazel,' she began again, slowly ' all these gay people
 
 328 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 you are so much with, they live just for the pleasure of the 
 minute ; and when the pleasure of the minute is over, what 
 remains? I cannot bear to have you forget that, and become 
 like them.' 
 
 * Lake them ?' said Hazel. ' Am I growing like Kitty Fisher ? ' 
 4 o, no, no ! ' cried Primrose. ' You are not a bit like her, 
 not a bit. I did not mean that. But I mean, dear, aren't 
 you just living for the moment's pleasure, and forgetting some- 
 thing better?' 
 
 4 Forgetting a good many things, you think.' 
 ' Aren't you, Hazel ? And I cannot bear to have you.' 
 4 What am I to remember ?' said the girl in a sort of dreamy 
 tone with her thoughts on the wing. 
 
 ' Remember that you have something to do with your life 
 and with yourself, Hazel ; something truly noble and happy 
 and worth while. I am sure dancing-parties are not enough 
 to li 76 on. Are they ? ' 
 'No.' 
 
 ^erhaps Primrose thought she had said enough ; perhaps she 
 did not know how to choose further words to hit the girl's mood. 
 She was patiently silent. Suddenly Hazel sat up and turned 
 toward her. 
 
 ' You poor little Prim ! ' she said, laying gentle hands on her 
 shoulders and a kiss on each cheek ' whirled off from your 
 gr en leaves on a midnight chase after witches ! This was one 
 of Mr. Rollo's few mistakes ; he should have come alone.' 
 
 'Should he?' said Primrose, wondering. ' But it wouldn't 
 have been so good for you, dear, would it ? ' 
 
 * Prim' somewhat irrelevantly ' did you ever have a thorn 
 in your finger ? ' 
 
 4 What do you mean ? ' Primrose answered in just bewilder- 
 in 3nt. 
 
 4 Well I have two in mine.' And Miss Kennedy went back to 
 the window and her world of moonlight. She did not wouder 
 that the Indians reckoned their time by ' moons ;' she was 
 beginning to check off her own existence in the same way. In 
 one moon she had walked home from Merricksdale, in another 
 di iven back from Mrs. Beaton's ; and now in this, But then
 
 CAPTAIN LANCASTER'S TEAM. 329 
 
 her head went down upon the window-sill once more, nor was 
 lifted again until the carriage was before the steps of Chickaree. 
 
 ' Dane,' said Primrose, as the two were parting in the dusky 
 hall at home, ' she will never get over this. Never, never, 
 never ! ' 
 
 He kissed her, laughing, and giving her hand a warm grasp. 
 
 ' You are mistaken,' he said. She is a more sensible woman 
 than you give her credit for.'
 
 CHAPTER XXXIII. 
 
 HITS AT CROQUET. 
 
 THE second day after the four-in-hand club affair, the follow- 
 ing note was brought to Miss Hazel : 
 
 ' Will you ride with me this afternoon ? 
 
 M. 0. R' 
 
 And perhaps five words have seldom taken longer to write 
 than these which he received by return messenger : 
 
 ' Not to-day. Please excuse me. 
 
 ' WYCH HAZEL.' 
 
 It happened that invitations were out for a croquet party at 
 Chickaree ; and the day of the party was appointed the third 
 succeeding these events. Thither of course all the best of the 
 neighbourhood were invited. 
 
 The house at Chickaree stood high on a hill ; nevertheless 
 immediately about the house there was lawn-room enough and 
 smooth greensward for the purposes of the play. The very fine 
 old trees which bordered and overshadowed it lent beauty and 
 dignity to the little green ; and the long, low, grey house, with 
 some of its windows open to the verandah, and the verandah 
 itself extending the whole length of the building, with cane 
 garden-chairs and Indian settees hospitably planted, made a 
 cheery, comfortable background. September was yet young, 
 and the weather abundantly warm ; the sort of weather when 
 everybody wants to be out of doors. No house in the country 
 could show a prettier croquet-green than Chickaree that after- 
 noon.' 
 
 Mr. Falkirk had mounted the hill in advance of other comers, 
 and stood surveying the prospect generally from the verandah.
 
 HITS AT CROQUET. 331 
 
 4 Who is to be here, Miss Hazel ? I am like a bear newly 
 coine out of winter quarters only that my seclusion has been 
 in the other season of the year.' 
 
 'Pray let the resemblance go no further, sir ! Who is to be 
 here ?' said Miss Kennedy, drawing on her dainty gloves, ' all 
 the available people, I suppose. Unless they change their 
 minds.' 
 
 'Have the goodness to enlighten me. Availalk people 
 available for what ?' 
 
 ' Croquet and flirting.' 
 
 ' If you please I understand, I believe, the first term ; it 
 means, to stand on the green and roll balls about among each 
 other's feet ; but what is comprehended in " flirting " ? ' 
 
 'Standing in the air and rolling balls there,' said Miss 
 Kennedy. 
 
 ' Ah ! Don't people get hit occasionally ? ' 
 
 ' Very likely. But they do not tell.' 
 
 ' Ah I My dear, has anybody hit you ? ' 
 
 ' Thank you, sir, I generally keep on the ground.' 
 
 Mr. Falkirk suspended his questions for the space of five 
 minutes. 
 
 ' I have not heard of yonr taking any rides lately,' he began 
 again. 
 
 ' No, sir.' 
 
 'How comes that?' 
 
 ' It comes by my refusing to go.' 
 
 ' Why, my dear?' said her guardian, looking her innocently 
 in the face. 
 
 ' Aren't you glad, sir ? How do you do, Mr. Kingsland ? 
 Will you be kind enough to explain to Mr. Falkirk the last code 
 of flirtation ? while I go and give an order.' 
 
 ' It is the only thing in which Miss Kennedy is not unsur- 
 passed, to make my definition short,' said the gentleman, 
 taking a chair. ' I think she will never learn.' 
 
 Primrose Maryland was the immediate next arrival ; and she 
 sat down on the other side of Mr. Falkirk, looking as innocent 
 as her name. Mr. Falkirk had always a particular favour for 
 Primrose.
 
 332 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 ' Did you come alone, my dear? ' he incautiously asked ; for 
 Mr. Kingsland was at his other elbow. And Prixn knew no 
 better than to answer according to fact. 
 
 'Where is Rollo?' 
 
 ' I don't know, sir. I suppose he is at home.' 
 
 ' Doubtless thinking one guardian may suffice as it is a mere 
 croquet party,' said Mr. Kingsland smoothly, but with a covert 
 glance of his eye at Mr. Falkirk. Both Primrose and Mr. 
 Falkirk glanced at him in return, but his words got no other 
 recognition, for people began to come upon the scene. And 
 the scene speedily became gay ; everybody arriving by the side 
 entrance and passing through the broad hall to the front of 
 the house. Wych Hazel, returned from her errand, came now 
 slowly through the hall herself with the last arrival. 
 
 4 1 feared you were ill with fatigue,' said a pleasant man's 
 voice. ' Three times I have called to inquire, and three times 
 gone away in despair.' 
 
 4 1 was very tired.' 
 
 'But what was the matter?' said th gentleman, pausing in 
 the doorway. ' Some call of sudden illness ? a demand upon 
 your sympathies ?' 
 
 1 Nothing of the kind.' 
 
 ' How then ? ' said Captain Lancaster, with an appearance of 
 great interest. ' One does not lose a pleasure and such a 
 pleasure without at least begging to know why. If it is per- 
 mitted. We began to think that the witches must have got 
 hold of you in that dark room.' 
 
 ' One did,' said the girl, so gravely that Captain Lancaster 
 was posed. She knew perfectly well what ears were listening ; 
 but there was something in her nature which always disdained 
 to creep out of a difficulty ; so she stood still, and answered as 
 he had spoken, aloud. 
 
 ' 0, Miss Kennedy,' cried Molly Seaton, that's a fib. Not a 
 real witch?' 
 
 ' Pretty genuine, I think,' said Hazel, with her half laugh. 
 
 Now there is no way in the world to puzzle people like telling 
 them the truth. The gentleman and the lady were puzzled. 
 Stuart Nightingale and half a dozen more came up at the
 
 HITS AT CKOQUET. 333 
 
 instant ; and the question, of the game to be played, for the 
 time scattered all other questions. 
 
 For a while now the little green at Chickaree was a pretty 
 sight. Dotted with a moving crowd of figures, in gay-coloured 
 dresses, moving in graceful lines or standing in pretty attitudes ; 
 the play, the shifting of places, the cries and the laughter, all 
 made a flashing, changing picture, full of life and full of 
 picturesque prettiness. The interests of the game were at first 
 absorbing. When a long match had been played, however, and 
 there was a pause for refreshments, there was also a chance 
 for rolling balls in the more airy manner Wych Hazel had 
 indicated. 
 
 ' What was the matter the other night ? ' Stuart Nightingale 
 demanded softly, as he brought the little lady of the house an 
 ice. 
 
 ' I could not stay.' 
 
 ' Summoned home by no disaster ? ' 
 
 4 It was a sort of disaster to me to be obliged to go,' said 
 Wych Hazel, ' but I found neither earthquake nor volcano at 
 home.' 
 
 ' Who came for you, Hazel ? ' said Phinny Powder, pushing 
 into the group which, was forming. ' /said it was downright 
 wicked to let you go off so. How did we know but that some- 
 thing dreadful had got hold of you ? I say, how did we know ? 
 I thought they ought all of them to go in a body and knock 
 the doors down and find out. But after your message they 
 wouldn't. Who did come for you, Hazel ? ' 
 
 ' Who did ? ' said Hazel. ' Do you think it could have been 
 the same parties who once sent away my carriage when I 
 wanted it ? ' 
 
 ' No,' said Phinny ; ' I know it wasn't. But who did come 
 for you, Hazel ? Nobody knew where you were. And what 
 made you go ? if there was no earthquake at home, as you said.' 
 
 ' Were you made to go, really ? ' asked Mme. Lasalle, slyly 
 ' Has Josephine hit the mark with a stray arrow ? ' 
 
 ' 0, of course I was made to go, or I shouldn't have gone,' 
 said Wych Hazel, lightly. ' My own carriage came for me, 
 Josephine, and I came home in it. Do you feel any better ? '
 
 334 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 ' No, I don't ! ' said that young lady boldly, while others who 
 were silent used their eyes. ' You didn't order it, and I just 
 want to know who did. 0, Hazel, I want to ask you ' But 
 she lowered her voice and glanced round her suspiciously. 
 
 ' Is it safe ? Where is that old Mr. ? do you see him 
 
 anywhere ? He has eyes, and I suppose he has ears. Hush ! 
 I guess it's safe. Hazel, my dear, have you got two guardians, 
 you poor creature ? ' 
 
 ' Have you only just found that out? ' said Hazel, drawing a 
 little back from the whisper and answering aloud. ' Prim, what 
 will you have ? Mr. May, please bring another ice for Miss 
 Maryland.' 
 
 ' Well I've guessed it all summer,' said Kitty Fisher, putting 
 her word in now. ' I always knew that when Miss Kennedy 
 turned round, the Duke turned too, to see what she was look- 
 ing at.' 
 
 If truth be no slander, it is sometimes full as hard to bear. 
 Wych Hazel ate her own ice for the next two minutes and 
 wondered what it was. 
 
 ' Hazel, my dear, you had need to be a saint ! ' Mme. Lasalle 
 whispered. ' It is absolutely outrageous ; something not to 
 be borne ! ' 
 
 ' But the fun of it is,' broke in Kitty again, ' that we all took 
 it for granted it was mere lover-like devotion ! And now, be- 
 hold, c'est tout au contraire ! ' 
 
 Since the day of the ride it had been war to the knife with 
 Kitty Fisher. 
 
 ' Kitty ! Kitty !' said Mr. Kingsland in soft deprecation. 
 
 'My dear,' Mme. Lasalle went on mockingly, 'perhaps he 
 would not approve of your eating so much ice. Hadn't you 
 better take care ? ' 
 
 ' Must we ask him about every thing now, before we can have 
 you? 'cried Josephine, in great indignation, quite unfeigned 
 though possibly springing from a double root. ' 0, was it he 
 came for you to Greenbush ? ' 
 
 But with that Hazel roused herself. 
 
 ' You had better ask him anything you want answered,' she 
 said. ' I think he has quite a genius that way.'
 
 HITS AT CROQUET. 335 
 
 'Whatwtfy? 0, you know, friends, perhaps site likes it. 
 What way, Hazel?' 
 
 'Does he speak very soft when he gives his orders?' said 
 Kitty Fisher. ' Or does he use his ordinary tone ? ' 
 
 ' And oh, Miss Kennedy,' said little Molly Seaton, ' isn't it 
 awfully nice to have such a handsome man tell you what to "do ? ' 
 
 Now Hazel had been at her wits' end, feeling as if there was 
 a trap for her, whatever she said or did not say. Pain and 
 nervousness and almost fright had kept her still. But Molly's 
 question brought things to such a climax that she burst into an 
 uncontrollable little laugh ; and so answered everybody at once, 
 in the best manner possible. The sound of her laugh brought 
 back $he gentlemen too, roaming off after their own ices, 
 and that would make a diversion. 
 
 But it came back again and again. It was to some too 
 tempting a subject of fun ; for others it had a deeper interest ; 
 it could not be suffered to lie still. Wych Hazel's ears could 
 hardly get out of the sound of raillery. In all sorts of forms ; 
 from the soft insinuation of mischief in a mosquito's song, to the 
 downright attacks of Kitty Fisher's teeth and Phinny Powder's 
 claws. The air was full of it at last, to Wych Hazel's fancy ; 
 even the gentlemen, when they dared not speak openly, seemed 
 in manner or tone to be commiserating or laughing at her. 
 
 'The diplomacy of truth!' said Mr. Kingsland to Mr. Fal- 
 kirk, as Miss Hazel passed near them' with Mme. Lasalle. ' I 
 must believe in it as a fixed fact, where it exists ! I should 
 judge, by rough estimate, that Miss Kennedy had been asked 
 about fifty-five trying questions this day ; and in not one case, 
 to my knowledge, has her answer even clipped the truth. She 
 is a ninth wonder, and from that on to the twenty-ninth ! 
 With all her innocence and ignorance which would not com- 
 prehend nine-tenths of what might be said to her, I do not 
 know the man who would dare say one word which she should 
 not hear!' With which somewhat unusual expression of his 
 feelings Mr. Kingsland took himself away, leaving Prim and 
 Mr. Falkirk alone on the verandah. 
 
 But it was a rather weary -faced young -hostess that wrapped 
 Prim up, after that, and the lips that kissed her were hot.
 
 336 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 Mr. Falkirk went down to his cottage and c&me back to 
 breakfast the next morning, without having broached to his 
 ward several subjects which stirred his thoughts. Finding 
 himself in the fresh light of the new day and in the security of 
 the early morning, seated opposite Miss Hazel at the breakfast- 
 table, with the croquet confusion a thing of the past, he opened 
 his mind. 
 
 ' You had no wine yesterday, my dear, I observed.' 
 
 'No, sir. As I intended.' 
 
 ' That is not according to custom of other people.' 
 
 ' It is my custom henceforth,' said Wych Hazel. 
 
 ' Are the reasons too abstruse for my comprehension ?' 
 
 The girl looked up at him, her eyes kindling. 
 
 ' Mr. Falkirk,' she said, 'if ever again a man gets a glass of 
 wine from my hand, or in my house, I shall deserve to live that 
 July night all over ! ' 
 
 Mr. Falkirk did not at all attempt to combat this conclusion. 
 He ate his toast with an extremely thoughtful face for some 
 minute or two. 
 
 'Suppose, by and by, there should be two -words to that 
 bargain ? ' 
 
 ' Then there will be several more, sir, that is all,' she said, 
 steadily, though her face glowed. 
 
 ' You mean that you will fight for your position ? ' 
 
 ' Inch by inch. Fight for it, and keep it.' 
 
 Mr. Falkirk's lips gave way a little, though with what ex- 
 pression it was impossible to determine. 
 
 ' To remark that your position will be remarked upon as 
 peculiar, is, I am aware, to make a fruitless expenditure of 
 words in your hearing, Miss Hazel. But it will not make much 
 difference what you do, my dear. They will find the article, in 
 its varieties, at every other house that is open to them.' Mr. 
 Falkirk was thinking probably of young men. 
 
 ' Well, sir I, at least, will have no part in making any man 
 unfit to speak to a woman.' 
 
 Mr. Falkirk ruminated again, and then broke out. 
 
 'Why did not Hollo come with Miss Maryland yester- 
 day?'
 
 HITS AT CKOQUET. 337 
 
 4 1 presume, because he did not want to come, but perhaps 
 you had better ask him,' said Miss Hazel. 
 
 ' Why should I ask him ?' returned her guardian, looking up 
 at her. ' Has Mr. Rollo offended you, Miss Hazel ?' 
 
 'I merely thought you wanted to know, sir. No,' she 
 answered, to his last question. ' He was invited if that ia 
 what you mean.' 
 
 ' I fancied,' said Mr. Falkirk, looking puzzled, ' that in the 
 general buzz of tongues yesterday which is fit to confuse 
 anything with more brains than a mosquito I heard various 
 buzzings which seemed to have reference to him. Perhaps I 
 was wrong. I did not mean to listen, but if a fly gets into 
 your ear it is difficult not to know it. Was I right, or was I 
 wrong?' 
 
 ' Right, I fancy, sir. Mr. Kollo's name is very often upon 
 people's tongues.' 
 
 ' What did they mean ? What was it about ?' 
 
 She hesitated a little. 
 
 4 1 daresay your opinion was correct, Mr. Falkirk, as to the 
 meaning as well as the buzz. It is hardly worth bringing up 
 again.' 
 
 If Mr. Falkirk had any roughness in his manner or in his 
 composition, he had also and certainly a very gentle side of it 
 for his ward. He looked at her again and dropped the subject. 
 But he had got another. He waitfed a little before bringing 
 it up. 
 
 ' Another thing I heard confused my ideas, Miss Hazel. You 
 must not wonder at me ; you know, a bear just out of winter 
 quarters might well be astonished at coming into a garden full 
 of crickets, and a little unable to distinguish one song from 
 another. But it seemed to me that I heard something said 
 or alluded to about your being unwillingly obliged to go 
 home from somewhere. Can you give me any explanation ?' 
 
 The pause was longer this time, the colour unsteady. Then 
 she put both handt up to her forehead, pushing back the dark 
 rings of hair with an impatient touch, and began, speaking low 
 and rapidly, but straight to the point. 
 
 4 1 was invited to a garden party at Mrs. Powder's. And
 
 338 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 after I got there, found out that the invitation included a 
 four-in-hand drive to Greenbush. And I went. And Mr. 
 Rollo heard of rny going, and followed me there, with Prim- 
 rose and Reo and the carriage, and made me come back.' She 
 had gone on, throwing in details, as if to prevent their being 
 called for. Now the scarlet flush with which the last words 
 were spoken faded away, and she sat silent and rather pale. 
 
 I suppose Mr. Falkirk had done his breakfast. If not, he 
 lost the last part of it. For as Wych Hazel stopped speaking 
 he rose from the table and began to take turns up and down the 
 room ; scowling, it must be confessed, as if he would have 
 rather liked an excuse to 'pitch into' his co-guardian. He 
 said nothing for some minutes, and it was not necessary ; his 
 eyebrows were eloquent. 
 
 ' A four-in-hand party !' he said at last. ' Who got it up ?' 
 
 ' Some of the four-in-hand club.' 
 
 ' Who are they, Miss Hazel ?' 
 
 ' Mr. May, Captain Lancaster, Dr. Singleton,' Hazel named 
 over sundry other names that were unknown to Mr. Falkirk. 
 
 ' He's a bold man !' said Mr. Falkirk, probably not referring 
 to any member of the club aforesaid. ' I wonder at his impu- 
 dence. But, my dear ! a four-in-hand party, and Greenbush 
 at night, that was no sort of pkce for you to be ! Do you 
 know how those parties come home, who go out so bravely ?' 
 
 'I knew pretty well, sir, how my party would,' said his 
 ward. 
 
 ' No you didn't. How should you know anything about it ? 
 The young mouse in the fable thought the cat was a very fine 
 gentleman. Con found him !' said Mr. Falkirk, stopping 
 short, ' how did he know ? Was he at the garden party at the 
 Governor's ?' 
 
 'No, sir.' 
 
 ' Then how did he know where you were ?' 
 
 ' Mr. Rollo seems to be a man who gives close attention to 
 his duties, sir,' rather dryly. 
 
 ' I was the proper person to be applied to,' muttered Mr. 
 Falkirk. ' I should like to be informed how this came about.' 
 
 But Miss Hazel not giving as indeed she was in no position
 
 HITS AT CKOQUET. 339 
 
 to give any light on this point, Mr. Falkirk walked a little 
 more, and then brought up with : 
 
 ' Don't go again, my dear.' 
 
 'I am not likely to go often anywhere, at such a risk!' 
 said Wych Hazel, the tide beginning to overflow again. ' Poor 
 little me !' she broke out, in a tone that was sorrowful as well 
 as impatient, ' always in charge of two policemen ! Why, 
 you could almost keep a convict in order with that !' Then in 
 a moment she sprang up, and coming to her guardian's side 
 laid her hand on his arm. ' I beg your pardon, Mr. Falkirk ! 
 I did not mean it in any way to hurt you.' 
 
 ' No, my dear,' said her guardian, gently, laying his hand on 
 hers. ' I am not hurt. I understand. As I ought, having 
 seen you twitch yourself out of leading-strings ever since you 
 were old enough to go. It is rather hard upon you. But how 
 came it to your knowledge, Hazel ?' And Mr. Falkirk looked 
 grave. 
 
 ' It came through somebody telling Mrs. Coles what was 
 none of her business,' said the girl, with more energy than 
 exactness of wording. 
 
 1 Who did that ?' 
 
 ' I am sure I don't know, sir. She talks as if she had known 
 it always.' 
 
 ' Like enough. And she told you ! The whole story, my 
 dear ?' added Mr. Falkirk, gently and softly. 
 
 4 1 hope there is nothing more !' said Hazel, again donning 
 her scarlet in hot haste. 
 
 * Enough and too much !' muttered Mr. Falkirk. ' Poor 
 child ! So the old guardian is better than the young one, my 
 dear?' 
 
 ' It used to be supposed,' said the girl, dancing off out of the 
 room, ' that twice one is two. But I am inclined to think that 
 twice one is six !' Which was all the satisfaction Mr. Falkirk 
 got.
 
 CHAPTER XXXIV. 
 
 FRIENDLY TONGUES. 
 
 YES, it was very hard for her ; much harder than any one 
 knew but herself. The joke was too good, the situation too 
 striking, to be passed by, even iii the case of an ordinary 
 person ; but when it was Miss Kennedy, heiress, beauty, and 
 queen of favour, all tongues took it up. She could go no- 
 where, wear nothing, do nothing, without meeting that one 
 subject face to face. Many things brought it forward. Kitty 
 Fisher of course had exasperation in her heart ; but there were 
 other (supposably) gentle breasts where even less lovely feel- 
 ings, of shorter names, found lodgment. Hazel was condoled 
 with, laughed at, twitted, by turns; until even Mr. Rollo's 
 name in the distance made her shrink. Mrs. Coles had not 
 (apparently) made known the conditions upon which he had 
 assumed his office ; but Wych Hazel was in daily terror lest 
 she would ; and as people often graze the truth which yet they 
 do not know, so hardest of all to bear just now, were Kitty 
 Fisher's two new names for her : ' the Duchess,' and * Your 
 Grace.' Most people indeed did not know their point, ignorant 
 of Prim's pet name for Mr. Rollo ; but Wych Hazel needed no 
 telling ; and her face was sometimes a thing to see. 
 
 That was the worst of it ! it was a thing to see. And tx>, 
 while now and then one of her special gentlemen friends would 
 interpose, and draw the strokes upon himself ; yet her delicate, 
 womanly fencing was so pretty, so novel ; it was such sport 
 to watch the little hands turn off and parry Kitty Fisher's rude 
 thrusts ; that few masculine hearts were unselfish enough to 
 forego it. There were actual wagers out as to how long ' the 
 Duchess' could carry it on without losing her temper or
 
 FUIENDLY TONGUES. 341 
 
 clipping the truth ; aud how soon ' the Fisher' would get tired 
 and give it up. Aud as for the tokens in Miss Kennedy's face 
 sometimes, who that had once seen them did not watch to see 
 them again ? Other people began to take up the new titles ; 
 and Mme Lasalle made courtesies to ' the Duchess,' and Stuart 
 Nightingale and Mr. May bowed low before 'her Grace,' 
 entreating her hand for the quadrille or the promenade. 
 
 ' And some night he will be standing by and hear them say 
 it !' thought Wych Hazel to herself. What should she do ? 
 Where should she go ? 
 
 Since the talk on the drive home from Mme. Lasalle's, the 
 girl had never set foot in one of the round dances. Not that 
 she gave in to Mr. Rollo's strictures, how could she be mis- 
 taken ? but because the talk had left an unbearable association 
 about everything that looked like a round dance. There was 
 the constant remembrance of the words he had spoken, there 
 was the constant fear that he might stand by and think those 
 thoughts again. Then she had been extremely disgusted with 
 Kitty Fisher's new figures ; and so, on the whole in the face 
 of persuasions and charges of affectation, Miss Kennedy could 
 be had for nothing but reels, country dances, and quadrilles. 
 Miss Fisher and her set were furious, of course ; for all the 
 jrentlemen liked what Miss Kennedy liked : there was no use 
 talking about it. 
 
 If anybody had asked the girl in those weeks before the 
 fancy ball what she was doing and why she wanted to do it, 
 she would have found it hard to tell. Braving out people's 
 tongues, was one thing ; and plunging into all sorts of 
 escapades because any day they might be forbidden, was 
 another. A sort of wild resolving that her young guardian 
 should not feel his power ; and endeavour to prove to him that 
 anybody aspiring to that office without her leave asked and 
 obtained, was likely to serve a short term. 
 
 ' Is it only till you marry, my dear ? or is it for life ?' Mme. 
 Lasalle said, meaningly. And Hazel laughed off an answer, 
 and set her little foot down (mentally) with tremendous force. 
 Wouldn't she marry whom she liked if she liked ? 
 
 4 He proposes to make you his wife' Mrs. Coles had said.
 
 342 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 She should like to know what his ' proposing' had to do with 
 it V except, perhaps, as an initiatory step. 
 
 It was a new version of Katharine and Petruchio, sneered 
 Kitty Fisher. 
 
 It was a striking instance of disinterested benevolence in 
 so young a man ! chimed in Mrs. Seaton, until at last Hazel 
 rushed into anything that would put a black coat or a whirl of 
 white muslin between her and her tormentors. If she was in 
 truth running away from herself as well, the confusion was too 
 great for her to know it just then. The very idea of stopping 
 to think what he meant and what she meant, frightened her ; 
 and then she ran faster than ever. 
 
 Of all this Rollo was but slightly aware. Yet he did guess 
 at part of it. He had seen too much of both men and women 
 not to know in a measure what must be the natural effect of 
 circumstances. And he could have saved Miss Kennedy the 
 worst of it, only he could not. He was sometimes at the 
 entertainments where she met so much exasperation, and saw 
 from a distance as it were the wild whirl of her gaiety. Per- 
 haps he guessed at the meaning of that too. But he was only 
 a man, and he could not be sure. He never asked her to 
 dance himself, and never joined a quadrille or reel when she 
 was one of the set. And that is nearly tantamount to saying 
 he did not dance at all. For reels and quadrilles were very 
 much out of favour, and rarely adopted except just for Miss 
 Kennedy. And in truth Mr. Rollo in this state of affairs chose 
 to be only now and then seen at evening entertainments. 
 When there he was rather Spanish in his manners, after the old 
 Catskill fashion. Very Spanish indeed Mrs. Coles found him 
 at home ; his lofty courtesy kept her at the extreme distance 
 permitted in the grace of good manners. 
 
 Meanwhile, no tete-a-tete conversation had been practicable 
 with "\Vych Hazel. ,He had sought it; but she refused his 
 invitations to ride, and while she was in that mood he did 
 not choose either to risk being turned away again from the 
 Chickaree door, or to encounter her in a drawing-room full of 
 company. However, when a good many days had come and 
 gone in this state of estrangement, Rollo began to feel that it
 
 FRIENDLY TONGUES. 343 
 
 was getting unbearable. So he rode up to Chickaree one day 
 just at luncheou time. 
 
 Miss Kennedy was not at home. Not at home in the honest 
 sense of the words. Mr. Rollo asked for Mrs. Bywank, and 
 marched straight to the housekeeper's room. And Mrs. 
 By wank 's greeting made him feel that, for some reason, he ha>l 
 come at the right time. She begged him to sit down, and 
 ordered luncheon ; asking if he was in haste, or if they might 
 wait a little for Miss Wych ? 
 
 ' She walked down to Mr. Falkirk's a long time ago,' said 
 the housekeeper, ' but I am looking for her every minute. 
 Unless you cannot wait, Mr. Rollo ?' 
 
 He would wait ; and desired to have Mrs. Bywank's report 
 touching the health of her young mistress. Mrs. Bywank 
 looked perplexed. 
 
 ' She's not herself, sir,' she answered slowly. ' And yet it 
 would be hard to explain that. I've been wanting to see you, 
 Mr. Rollo, more than I can say ; and now you are here I hardly 
 know how to tell why.' 
 
 4 That makes me wish very much you would find out.' 
 
 ' Phoebe will have it she is sick,' said the housekeeper, 
 pondering, ' and sometimes I think so myself. I know she 
 goes out too much. And stays up too late. Why, the last 
 time she came from Governor Powder's I was frightened half 
 to death.' 
 
 ' That was two weeks ago ?' 
 
 'Yes, Mr. Rollo. I expected her early, and then Lewis 
 brought word it would be late, and so it was. Near morning, 
 in fact.' 
 
 ' Yes. "Well ? She did not suffer from being out too late ?' 
 
 ' I'm sure I don't know, sir, what it was. She walked into 
 the hall just as strong and straight as ever, and then she 
 dropped right down on the first stair, and put her hands and 
 face against the balustrade, and I couldn't get one word from 
 her nor one look ! any more than if she'd been part of the 
 staircase.' 
 
 ' For how long ?' asked the gentleman after a short pause, 
 and in a lowered tone.
 
 344 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 ' It seemed a week to me,' said Mrs. Bywank, ' but I only 
 know nothing stirred her till she heard the servants begin to 
 move about the house. And then she got up, in a sort of slow 
 way, so that I thought she would fall. And I put my arm round 
 her, and she laid her head on my shoulder, and so we went up- 
 stairs. But she only said she was "very, very tired," and didn't 
 want any breakfast. I couldn't get another word but that.' 
 
 ' And since then ?' said her hearer, after another pause in 
 which he seemed to have forgotten himself. 
 
 ' Since then,' said Mrs. Bywank, ' there have been balls and 
 picnics and dinners enough to take one's breath away. But it 
 don't seem to me she can enjoy them much, she comes home 
 so often with a sort of troubled look that I can't understand. 
 And when I ask if she's not well, she says, "Yes, very well." 
 So what is one to do ?' 
 
 ' I don't think you can do anything, Mrs. Bywank. Perhaps 
 I can. Is that all you have to tell me ?' 
 
 ' Not quite, sir,' but the old housekeeper hesitated. f I am 
 not sure about saying all I wanted to say.' 
 
 ' Why ? ' said Rollo, smiling. 
 
 ' It is a nice matter for one woman to talk about another 
 woman,' said Mrs. Bywank ; and again she paused, evidently 
 considering where care ended and treason began. ' I am a 
 little uneasy, sir, more than a little, about some of theeo 
 young men that come here so often.' 
 
 ' On what account ? ' said Rollo shortly and gravely, with a 
 tone that meant to get to the bottom of that at least. 
 
 ' Why,' said Mrs. Bywank, glancing at him, ' chiefly because 
 I think Miss Wych does not know in the least how often they 
 come. Which, if she thought twice about any one of them, 
 she would. And if I just hint it to her, she looks at me and 
 says "Often? when was he here before? I don't re- 
 member." All the same, they don't understand that.' 
 
 4 Well ? ' said Rollo. ' They are quite equal to taking care 
 of themselves. Tell me of any danger to her. 1 
 
 ' It lies just there, sir. That she might be drawn on in her 
 innocence to grant favours covering she knows not what. 
 And sometimes that works trouble. Not caring two snaps for
 
 FRIENDLY TONGUES. 345 
 
 the men, it might never occur to her that they were favour* 
 till the cobwebs were all round her feet. You know that, 
 sir?' 
 
 Her hearer's brows contracted a little, and the grey eyes 
 snapped ; but he was silent. 
 
 ' Now here's this fancy ball at Moscheloo,' said Mrs. By wank, 
 ' with all sorts of charades that nobody ought to be in.' 
 
 ' What is that ? I have not heard of it.' 
 
 ' I opine, they have kept it rather close,' said the house- 
 keeper, ' the day after to-morrow it comes off ; and not a soul 
 let in without a ticket. I hoped you might have one, Mr. 
 Rollo.' 
 
 What about the charades ? ' 
 
 I don't like them,' said Mrs. By wank decidedly,' and they 
 want Miss Wych in every one. So she's been getting her 
 dresses ready, with my help, and telling me the whole story. 
 It's " Mr. May and I are to do this," and " While I stand so, 
 Captain Lancaster stands so." The last of all is a wedding.' 
 
 ' A wedding ! ' Rollo repeated. ' Is she to be in that too ? ' 
 
 ' Of course,' said Mrs. Bywank. * And she said she tried 
 ever so hard to get a ticket for me that I might see her 
 dressed up. But Madame would not. So said I, " Miss Wych, 
 I would rather not see you in that dress, till it's the real 
 thing." 
 
 ' *' take what you can get," she said. And she had run 
 the needle into her finger and was making a great fuss about 
 it. 
 
 ' " Why, dear," I said, "marriage is much too sacred a thing, 
 in my judgment, to be turned into a frolic." 
 
 ' " Well I didn't want to do it," she said, a little sober ; " but 
 Madame would not let me off." ' 
 
 4 Well ? ' said Rollo, with a short breath, as the old lady 
 again paused. 
 
 "'But Miss Wych," I said, "are you to act that with 
 Captain Lancaster? " 
 
 ' So she flamed out then, and asked me if I thought she 
 would ? 
 
 * " Well," said I, " for my part, I don't understand how any
 
 346 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 young lady who expects to be married " but she put her haud 
 right over iny mouth. 
 
 ' " Now Byo, stop ! " she said. " You know you are talking 
 of me not of other young ladies." 
 
 * " Who is to be the happy man in this case ? " said I, when 
 she would let me speak. And she just looked at me, and 
 wouldn't answer a word. So I went on, '* I suppose I may 
 talk about men, Miss Wych, and I say I don't think the right 
 sort of man, who meant some day to marry the right sort of 
 woman, would ever want to go through the motions with 
 somebody else." She was silent a while, then she looked up. 
 
 '"I wish I had heard all this before, Byo, but it's too late 
 now, for I've promised. And of course I never thought it all 
 out so. You know I've never even seen a wedding. But it is 
 only Mr. Lasalle, in this case ; and you know he has ' been 
 through the motions'" Mr. Lasalle, truly!' Mrs. Bywank 
 repeated in great scorn. ' A likely thing ! ' 
 
 ' Going through the motions ! ' Rollo repeated. ' Do you 
 mean that the wedding ceremony is to be performed ? ' 
 
 ' It sounds so, to me,' said Mrs. Bywank. ' ' Well, my dear," 
 said I, " then I say this. No man who has been through the 
 motions in earnest with one woman, ought to go them over in 
 play with another." 
 
 1 She looked up again, one of her pretty, grave looks ; and 
 said slowly, as if she was thinking out her words : " Maybe you 
 are right, Byo. I never thought about it. And of course that 
 sort of man never could." 
 
 ' " What sort ? " I said. " Then you have thought about it, 
 Miss Wych?" Well, she was like a little fury at that,' said 
 Mrs. Bywank, smiling at the recollection, ' as near as she can 
 ever come to it. And she caught up her hat and went off ; and 
 called back to me that she meant to go through motions enough 
 of some sort, to be ready for her lunch when she got home. 
 But I wish she was out of it, Mr. Rollo.' 
 
 Her hearer sat silent for a minute. 
 
 ' Mrs. Bywank, can you find Miss Hazel's ticket for this ball V ' 
 
 ' I daresay, sir. Would you like to see it ? she shewed it 
 to ine.
 
 FRIENDLY TONGUES. 347 
 
 ' I would like to see it very much.' 
 
 The housekeeper went off, and presently brought back the 
 little perfumed card, with scrolls and signatures, and ' Admit 
 ' and ' Not transfer able.' 
 
 ' She puts her own name in this place before she gives it in,' 
 said Mrs. Bywank. 
 
 The gentleman looked at the ticket attentively then be- 
 stowed it safely in his vest pocket ; as if that subject was 
 disposed of. 
 
 ' But Mr. Rollo ! ' said the housekeeper in some consterna- 
 tion. 
 
 ' What, Mrs. Bywank ? ' he returned innocently. 
 
 ' Miss Wych will never forgive me, sir ! ' 
 
 * What ? ' 
 
 ' Why for stealing her ticket and giving it to you, sir.' 
 
 ' You have not stolen it. And you never meant to give it to 
 me. And she is not to know anything about it.' 
 
 ' It feels like high treason ! ' said Mrs. Bywank. ' And she is 
 certain to get another. But I'm sure I'd be glad there was 
 some one there to look after things ; for if she once got into 
 that, and found young Nightingale or some of the rest with 
 her, she'd be fit to fly. And there she comes, this minute.' 
 
 As they looked, Wych Hazel came out from the deep 
 shadow of the trees that clothed this end of the garden 
 approach ; faultlessly dressed as usual, and with her apron 
 gathered up full of flowers ; and herself not alone. A young 
 ' undress uniform ' was by her side. 
 
 ' Captain Lancaster,' said Mrs. Bywank. 
 
 They came slowly on, talking ; then stopped where the road 
 to the main entrance branched off, the young officer cap in 
 hand, extremely deferential. They could see his face now ; 
 handsome, soldierly, and sunburnt; with a pleasant laugh 
 which came readily at her words. Her face they could not see, 
 beneath the broad garden hat. The gentleman touched his 
 ungloved hand to Wych Hazel's little buff gauntlet; then 
 apparently preferred some request which was not immediately 
 granted ; so gestures seemed to say. Finally he held out his 
 hand again, and she took from her apron a flower and placed
 
 348 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 in it ; and things looked as if fingers and flower were taken 
 together for a second. It was a pretty scene ; and yet Mrs. 
 Bywank sighed. Then with a profound reverence the young 
 officer moved away, and Wych Hazel entered the side door. 
 She came on along the passage singing ; trilling out the gay 
 little lullaby by virtue of which Mrs. Bywank had long ago 
 earned her name. 
 
 'Byo, bye! baby bye! 
 
 Byo, bye, little baby ! 
 
 Byo, byo, byo, byo ' 
 
 'Where are you, Byo dear?' she said, opening the door. 
 Then stopped short in undoubted surprise. * Mr. Rollo ! 
 You two!' she said, looking from one to the other; adding 
 mentally, ' And you have been talking about me! ' 
 
 It was not just a pleased flush that came ; and it was with 
 a little needless straightening of herself up that Wych Hazel 
 crossed the floor, and untying her apron of flowers laid it 
 down on Mrs. Bywank's sofa. Then she was the lady of 
 Chickaree again, graceful and composed. She came back and 
 held out her hand. 
 
 1 1 hope your luncheon is ready, Byo,' she said ; ' and that 
 you have something very good to reward Mr. Rollo for his 
 long waiting. I had no idea I was delaying any one but you, 
 or I should have made more haste. Mrs. Bywank spoils me, 
 Mr. Rollo, by giving me just the same welcome whether I come 
 early or late. But I am very sorry if I have hindered you.' 
 
 ' You have not hindered me,' he said smiling, and giving her 
 hand the old sort of clasp, 'except from everything I have 
 tried to do, for some time past.' 
 
 But that idea Miss Wych did not see fit to take up. 
 
 ' What have I done,' he went on audaciously, ' to be ignored 
 in this fashion ? ' 
 
 ' Ignored ! ' she said, opening her eyes at him. 
 
 ' Will you substitute another word ? ' said he, looking for it 
 in the orbs so revealed. Wych Hazel turned off. 
 
 ' Will you come to luncheon, sir ? ' she said ; so exactly as if 
 she were speaking to Mr. Falkirk, that Mrs. Bywank looked up 
 in mute amazement.
 
 FEIENDLY TONGUES. 349 
 
 But lunch was not to have much attention, nevertheless. 
 Dingee began a raid on the housekeeper's room. It was : 
 
 ' Mas' Nightingale, Missee Hazel.' ' Mas' May and Miss May, 
 ma'am.' 
 
 ' Mrs. Powder, Missee Hazel and all de rest ! ' added Dingee. 
 ' 'Spect dere ain't a livin' soul won't be there, time I get back. 
 Miss Fisher, she done ask for Mas' Rollo. But Fse learnin' to 
 tdl de truf f ustrate.' 
 
 ' What is the truth about me, Dingee ? ' asked that gentle- 
 man. ' I should be glad to hear it.' 
 
 ' Well, sir,' said Dingee, standing attention, ' she 'quire 
 'bout you. So I say, " Mas' Rollo he done come, dis mornin', 
 sure, but my young mistiss she out. So he done gone straight 
 away from de door, ma'am." Mighty glad she never ask which 
 way I ' added Dingee with a chuckle. Wych Hazel held down 
 her head, laughing the sweet laugh which would come now 
 and then, in the worst of times. 
 
 'Run away,' she said, 'and say I am coming. I must go, 
 Byo if Mr. Rollo will excuse me. And as he came to see you, 
 I suppose he will ! ' 
 
 But Mr. Rollo went away without his luncheon, after all.
 
 CHAPTER XXXV. 
 
 FIGUBES AND FAVOURS. 
 
 THE very night after this affair of the ticket, caine a ' German,' 
 pure and simple, at one of the far-off houses of the neighbour- 
 hood. The daughters here were of Miss Fisher's persuasion ; 
 and among them they had arranged the whole affair. This 
 should be a ' German,' and nothing else. Kitty Fisher was to 
 lead, and neither quadrille nor country dance would be tolerated 
 for a moment. Miss Kennedy found on her arrival that for 
 this night at least, round dances were paramount : it was such, 
 or none. "Well, she thought she could stand it, at first, there 
 were enough people always ready to promenade. But this was 
 not an out-door party, the night was too cool to make it even 
 partially such ; and to *valk the whole evening in the moon- 
 light is one thing, and in the gaslight quite another. Then 
 Kitty Fisher was in a merciless mood, and Hazel could not 
 head her off with flat denials ; because, though not really under 
 orders, she well knew how much Mr. Rollo had to do with what 
 they termed 'her new kink about dancing.' And even worse 
 than the open charge that she was afraid to disobey, were the 
 covert insinuations that she was anxious to please. 
 
 Then (to tell the whole truth) she did very much long for 
 another flight among the gay flags and ribands which made 
 the German so lively, she could not see the harm ! Only she 
 could never have done it with those grey eyes looking on and 
 drawing their own false conclusions about everybody and 
 everything. But to-night he was not on hand : the guests had 
 all arrived long ago, and no guardian in any shape among 
 them. And so, over persuaded by circumstances, and especially 
 by Mr. Nightingale, who made himself rather more than a cir-
 
 FIGURES AND FAVOURS. 351 
 
 cumstance, Wych Hazel gave him her hand and went forward 
 to take her place. Under pledge, however, that if any one of 
 the new figures came up she had leave to retire. A burst of 
 applause and congratulation hailed her appearance ; and in a 
 very few minutes she had forgotten all but the music and the 
 whirl of intoxication. Even partners sank into insignificance, 
 and became only so many facilities for so much delight Not 
 so easily could her partners forget her, the girlish face, some- 
 times grave with its own enjoyment, and then ' bright as a 
 constellation!' declared Mr. Simms ; the grace of manner 
 which kept its distance well ; the diaphanous dress which floated 
 around her like a golden haze ; the scarlet flowers in her hair. 
 Never had she danced, never looked, more thoroughly herself. 
 
 There are times when we get a lesson from without, there 
 are others when it must come from within ; and Mr. Rollo, who 
 had given the first, was now to see his work finished by the 
 second. Wych Hazel was wrong, he was there. But he had 
 come late, and if any of the dancers saw him they kept it 
 hush ; so that he looked on at his ward without her know- 
 ledge. But it must be noted as an instance of the perversity 
 of Mr. Hollo's mind, that the more thoroughly he perceived the 
 difference between Wych Hazel and her companions, the less he 
 liked to have her among them ; and every point in the dance 
 where she escaped without even a touch upon her modest bear- 
 ing, as if truly no one dared take liberties with her, made him 
 half wild to get her out of it altogether. 
 
 Thus thinking and watching, Mr. Hollo saw two strange 
 things take place. First came this. 
 
 A new figure was called, and the partners were to be sorted 
 by means of long streamers of different-coloured ribands. 
 Wych Hazel, having already received hers, a green, stood draw- 
 ing it through her fingers and chatting with Josephine Powder, 
 whose riband was blue. Suddenly Miss Kennedy caught 
 away the blue riband and began to compare its length with 
 that of her own ; .measuring and re-measuring, tangling the 
 long ends up together; until as the gentlemen came up to 
 match colours and claim their partners, Wych Hazel hurriedly 
 put the green streamer in Josephine's hand, and went off with
 
 352 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 Captain Lancaster. The green and the blue -were such convertible 
 colours in the gaslight, that no one took any notice. But Rollo 
 saw that Wych Hazel drew a long breath as she moved away, 
 and looked down, and did not say much for several minutes. 
 That figure passed off with nothing unusual. 
 
 Then followed another, during which the couples were 
 arranged in a sort of haphazard way ; the ladies and gentle- 
 men drawing up in two long opposite lines, each then to take 
 his vis-a-vis. But where a lady was in great demand, the 
 gentleman not strictly opposite would sometimes press down and 
 forward, trying to catch her eye, and prove himself her partner 
 by mere right of possession. The line of men stood with their 
 backs towards Mr. Rollo, so that he did not at first see who it 
 was that started forward so eagerly, taking a fair diagonal 
 towards Miss Kennedy. But he saw her change colour, with a 
 sort of frightened look, and then most unlike her usual shy 
 bearing, saw her turn the other way, and herself take a diagonal 
 towards what proved in this instance to be Mr. May. With a 
 great flush of crimson at first, then growing and remaining very 
 pale, and dancing very languidly. And then, at the foot of 
 the room, her eyes met those of her young guardian, which 
 about finished up the evening. For twice that night Wych 
 Hazel had been within a hairsbreadth of having her hand taken 
 by the very man from whose presence she had escaped that 
 night in July. To get rid of him she had put herself off on 
 somebody else, and Mr. Eollo had seen it all ! 
 
 * Put Molly Seaton in my place, Josephine,' she whispered. 
 ' Mr. May is going to excuse me.' 
 
 But they crowded round her and insisted upon 'juot one 
 more.' She should not finish this figure if she disliked it, 
 they would stop it short : anything to keep Miss Kennedy on 
 the floor ! Would she dance ' Le Verre de Vin ' ? 
 
 ' Never 1 ' with sudden energy. 
 
 ' My gracious me ! how spiteful we are !' said Kitty Fisher. 
 ' You wouldn't have to drink it. Well then, " La Poursuite " ? ' 
 
 Miss Kennedy hated ' La Poursuite.' 
 
 ' And for Miss Kennedy it is such breathless work,' said 
 Mr. Kingsland.
 
 FIGURES AND FAVOURS. 353 
 
 'And for Mr. Kin gsland etcetera, etcetera * said Kitty 
 mockingly. 'Stephen, when there is an opportunity for re- 
 marks, I'll let you know. " LaPoursuite " is just the thing. 
 You see, Hazel,' she whispered, ' the Viking can rush in and 
 reclaim his prize, and reconciliations take place in the final tour.' 
 
 'I shall not dance it, Kitty,' said Wych Hazel steadily, 
 though her cheeks glowed. 
 
 ' No ?' said Miss Fisher. 'Not to the tune of "The king 
 shall enjoy his own again"? Well what of "Les mains 
 mysterieuses " ? ' 
 
 ' / protest, now,' said Captain Lancaster. ' There cannot be 
 even a pretence of mystery about Miss Kennedy's hand. It is 
 the merest farce.' 
 
 ' 0, you'd like " Le Coussin," and a chance to go down ou 
 your knees 1 ' said Miss Fisher, slightly provoked. 
 
 'Pardon me ! ' said Captain Lancaster. ' When I go down on 
 my knees to Miss Kennedy, I shall want no cushion.' 
 
 'Good! 'said Miss Burr. 
 
 ' I vow,' said Kitty Fisher, ' you're a lover worth having. 
 But the pretty dear'll get spoiled among you. Come what 
 will she choose? "Le Miroir." Nothing to do but look at 
 her own sweet self. Run away, Duchess, and take your seat' 
 
 ' Bather stupid, I think,' said Wych Hazel, as she went un- 
 willingly forward, but she was getting wild, standing there ! 
 ' I think I shall take the first one that comes, and save trouble.' 
 
 She sat down in front of the long mirror, in which she could 
 see the whole room behind her : everybody in it, and every 
 motion of everybody. But she really saw but one person, and 
 he was motionless. Others, gazing hj, had a marvellous pretty 
 picture of golden gauze and scarlet flowers, and a fair young 
 face from which the gaiety had suddenly died out. The breast 
 ol her dress was covered with ' favours ;' basket and ring, bell 
 and bouquet, a flag, a rosette, a pair of gloves, Rollo could 
 not identify all the details of the harlequin crew ; but it looked 
 as if Miss Kennedy had ben chosen by everybody, every time ! 
 She sat still enough now. 
 
 ' Look up, child !' cried Miss Fiaher. ' How do you expect 
 to know who's behind you, if you sit studying your pretty feet
 
 354 WYCS HAZEL. 
 
 upon the floor? You may flirt away an angel, and welcome 
 some gentleman in black who was not invited.' 
 
 There was a laugh at this sally ; and as several gentlemen 
 sprang eagerly forward, Kitty began to hum ' " This is the 
 maiden all forlorn," ' but for once Hazel did not listen. 
 
 'Flirt somebody away !' she was thinking, 'I should like 
 to see myself doing itl I shall take the very first that 
 
 But alas for good intentions in a bad place ! The room was 
 long, and some people were further off, and others close at 
 hand, and the very first that looked over her chair was Mr. 
 Morton ! Hazel gave a toss of her handkerchief that half blew 
 him away. And the next yes, the very next, was the man 
 whom she had been eluding all the evening. This time the 
 hand moved more languidly, and her eyes never looked up, and 
 her cheeks rivalled the scarlet flowers. 
 
 ' She'll learn, 0, she'll learn ! ' cried Kitty Fisher. ' Never 
 saw it better done in my life. Such a discriminating touch ! ' 
 
 ' Is there anybody else to escape ? ' thought poor Hazel, her 
 breath coming quick. And then she was so delighted to see 
 Captain Lancaster's pleasant face, that she shewed it in her 
 own; and the gentleman took an amount of encouragement 
 therefrom which by no means belonged to him. He waited 
 upon Miss Kennedy for the rest of that evening with a devotion 
 which everybody saw except herself. No such trifles as a 
 man's devotion got even a passing notice from her. For the 
 girl was feeling desperate. How many times that night had 
 she been betrayed into what she disliked and despised and had 
 said she never would do If Eollo had not been there, per- 
 haps she would have felt only shame, as it was, for the time 
 it made her reckless. ' Le Miroir ' gave place to other figures, 
 and still Miss Kennedy shewed no second wish to retire and 
 join the lookers-on. But every time the demands of the dance 
 made Tier choose a partner when it was her woman's right to 
 be chosen ! every time she was passed rapidly from hand to 
 hand without even the poor power of choice : Wych Hazel 
 fcvenged it on herself by the sharpest silent comments. While 
 to her partners, she was proud, and reserved, and brilliant, and
 
 FIGURES AND FAVOUKS. 355 
 
 generally ' touch-me-not ;' until they too were desperate with 
 admiration. 
 
 If Rollo was half wild in secret, he had power to keep it 
 to himself. His demeanour was composed, and not abstracted ; 
 his attentions to others, when occasion was, for he did not 
 seek it, as gracefully rendered as usual ; he even talked ; 
 though through it all it is safe to say he lost nothing of what 
 Wych Hazel was doing. Nobody would have guessed, not in 
 the secret, that he had any particular attraction in that room, 
 or indeed anywhere! He did not approach Wych Hazel to 
 oblige her to notice him ; he would not give her the additional 
 annoyance, nor himself the useless pain. 
 
 Yet, though severely tried that uight, he was not unreason- 
 ably discouraged. He partly read Wych Hazel ; or he sur- 
 mised what was at the bottom of her wild gaiety ; and he had 
 a great tenderness for her. A tenderness that made him grave 
 at heart, and somewhat grave outwardly; but he did not 
 despair, and he bided his time. He was not irritated that she 
 had broken the bonds of his words, amidst all his profound 
 vexation. He had heard enough of people's tongues, and also 
 knew enough of her, to understand pretty well how it was. 
 He would not even look another remonstrance that night ; 
 only, he resolved to stay out the evening and at least see the 
 girl safe in her carriage to go home. He would not go with 
 her either, this time. 
 
 ' Hazel,' whispered Miss Fisher, in one of the figure pauses, 
 ' slip out quietly at the side door when the break-up begins, 
 and we'll have a lark. Stuart says he'll drive me home, if 
 I'll coax you to go along. You can stay with me to-night. 
 We'll go a little before everybody, you know,' she added per- 
 suasively, for Hazel hesitated. ' And the Duke need never know.' 
 
 Still Hazel was silent, balancing alternatives. Could she 
 bear a tete-h-tete drive home with him? Could she escape it 
 in any other way ? She gave Kitty Fisher a little nod, and 
 whirled off in the hands of Mr. May. 
 
 But ' Duke ' was nearer than they knew, and specially ob- 
 servant of Kitty Fisher's doings. He was not near enough 
 to catch the import of the question or proposal ; but his quick
 
 356 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 ears heard ' side door' and his eyes saw that Hazel's sign waa 
 of assent ; and his wits guessed at the meaning of both. A 
 moment's reflection made him certain of his conclusion. 
 
 Dane bit his lip at the first flash of this conclusion. He saw 
 before him again a task which he would have given a great 
 deal to be spared. Both from tenderness and from policy he 
 was exceeding unwilling to thwart Wych Hazel now, most of 
 all in this company, thereby subjecting her to renewed annoy- 
 ance, inevitable and galling. Yet he never hesitated ; and his 
 old hunter's instinct abode with him, that no step which, must 
 be taken is on the whole a bad step. He left the room before 
 the dance was finished, and was in the lobby when the party 
 he waited for came down the broad staircase, ready for their 
 drive. He did not present himself, but when Wych Hazel had 
 followed Kitty Fisher out of the side door, before which Stuart's 
 equipage stood ready, she heard very low a voice at her side, 
 which low as it was she knew very well. 
 
 ' Miss Hazel, your carriage is at the other door.' 
 
 But Kitty Fisher saw, if she did not hear. 
 
 ' No room for you,' she said. ' Much as ever to get me in. 
 Good night, Sir Duke, and pleasant dreams. The pleasant 
 realities are all bespoke.' 
 
 ' Miss Kennedy' low at Wych Hazel's side. 
 
 ' One of the aforesaid pleasant realities,' said Kitty, with her 
 hand on "Wych Hazel's shoulder. ' Come, Duchess !' 
 
 Hazel's words had been all ready, but at this speech they 
 died away. It seemed to her as if her cheeks must light up 
 the darkness ! 
 
 ' Your carriage is in waiting,' Rollo went on, in a calm 
 low tone, which ignored Kitty and everybody else. 
 
 Still no word. 
 
 ' Now come ! ' said Miss Fisher, ' don't you play tyrant yet 
 awhile. She's going home with me. Poor little Duchess! 
 daresn't say her soul's her own 1 "What's the matter ? didn't 
 she ask you pretty?' 
 
 There was no answer to this. Rollo did not honour her 
 with any attention. Hazel freed her shoulder from Misd 
 Fisher's hand, and turned short about.
 
 FIGUKES AND FAVOURS. 357 
 
 ' There is no use in contesting things, 1 she said, speaking with 
 an effort which made the words sound hard-edged and abrupt. 
 ' I shall drive home by myself, to Chickaree. Good-night.' 
 And without a look right or left, she went up the steps and 
 across the hall into the carriage at the other door. 
 
 Rollo saw her hi without a word, and turned away. 
 
 And Misa Kennedy, as if her spite against something or 
 somebody was not yet appeased, began deliberately, one by 
 one, to take the ' favours ' off her dress and drop them through 
 the open carriage window upon the road. But, let me say, she 
 was not (like Quickear) laying a clue for herself, by which to 
 find her way back to the ' German.' Never again I
 
 CHAPTER XXXVI. 
 
 THE RUNAWAY. 
 
 THE fancy ball at Moscheloo was a brilliant affair More 
 brilliant perhaps than in the crush and mixed confusion of 
 city society could have been achieved. It is a great thing to 
 have room for display. There were people enough, not too 
 many ; and almost all of them knew their business. So there 
 was good dressing and capital acting. The evening would have 
 been a success, even without the charades on which Mme. 
 Lasalle laid so much stress. 
 
 Dominoes were worn for the greater amusement; and of 
 course curiosity was busy ; but more than curiosity. In the 
 incongruous fashion common to such entertainments a hand- 
 some Turkish janissary drew up to a figure draped in dark 
 serge and with her whole person enveloped in a shapeless 
 mantle of the same, which was drawn over her head and 
 face. 
 
 ' I have been puzzling myself for the last quarter of an hour,' 
 said he, ' to find out not who but what you are.' 
 
 1 Been successful ? '--said the witch. 
 
 * I confess, no. Of course you will not tell me who you are ; 
 but I beg, who do you pretend to be ?' 
 
 ' 0, pretend !' said the witch. 'I am " a woman that hath 
 a familiar spirit!"' 
 
 ' Where did you pick up your attendant?' 
 
 ' Came at my calL I suppose you have heard of Endor ? ' 
 
 ' Have I ? En dor ? Where have I heard that name ? It 
 is no place about here. Ton my honour, I forget' 
 
 ' In the East ?' suggested the witch. 
 
 Stupid ! I know ; you are the very person I want to see.
 
 THE RUNAWAY. 359 
 
 But first I wish you would resolve an old puzzle of mine 
 Did you bring up Samuel, honestly ? or was it all smoke ? ' 
 ' Smoke proves fire.' 
 
 * Samuel would not have been in the fire.' 
 
 * He would if it was necessary,' said the \vitcli. * Whom do 
 you want brought up, Mr. Nightingale ? ' 
 
 ' Ha ! ' said the janissary. ' How do you know that ? Bub 
 perhaps you are " familiar " with everybody. Bring up Miss 
 Kennedy!' 
 
 ' Very well,' said the witch, beginning to walk slowly round 
 him. ' But as it is not certain that Saul saw Samuel, I suppose 
 it will not matter whether you see her ? ' 
 
 ' It matters the whole of it ! I want to see her of course. 
 There is nobody else, hi fact, whom I want to see ; nor any- 
 body else worth seeing after her. The rarest, brightest, most 
 distracting vision that has ever been seen west of your place.' 
 
 ' If there is nobody worth seeing after, you had better see 
 everybody else first,' said the witch pausing in her round. 
 
 ' You have a familiar spirit. Tell me what she thinks about 
 me ; will you ? ' 
 
 The witch threw up a handful of sweet pungent dust into 
 the air, and made another slow round about the janissary. 
 
 ' Neither black nor white,' she said oracularly ; ' neither 
 yellow nor blue ; neither pea-green nor delicate mouse-grey.' 
 
 I?' said Stuart. 'Or what?' 
 
 'Either. Both.' 
 
 The janissary laughed somewhat uneasily. Just then a 
 knight, extremely well got up in the habiliments of the 13th 
 century, stepped near and accosted the witch in a confidential 
 tone. 
 
 ' Everybody here, I suppose, is known to you. Pray who 
 is that very handsome, very decolletee, lady from the court of 
 Charles the Second ? Upon my word ! she does it well.' 
 
 * That is Miss Fisher.' 
 
 '"Well, if women knew!' said the knight slowly. It was 
 evident he thought himself speaking to safe ears, probably not 
 handsome enough to be displayed. ' If they knew !' he re- 
 peated. ' Does she not do it well ? '
 
 360 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 ' Does she ? ' said the witch. ' I was not in England just 
 then.' 
 
 'Don't you wish you had been I It's a very fair show,' 
 continued the knight as he looked. ' We ought to be much 
 obliged to the lady. Really, she leaves nothing to be 
 desired! If you please, merely as a subject of curiosity, 
 from what part of the world and time does yonder figure 
 come ? the broad -brimmed hat ? ' 
 
 The figure was a very fine one, by the way. His dress \vas 
 a quaintly cut suit of dark blue cloth, the edges bound with 
 crimson, and fastened with silver buttons. White fine thread 
 stockings were tied at the knee with crimson riband, and 
 silver buckles were hi his shoes. 
 
 4 You must know,' said the witch confidentially, ' that there 
 are several parts of the world from which I have been banished.' 
 
 ' In an aesthetic point of view, I should say the edict was 
 justified,' returned the knight, surveying the bale of brown 
 serge before him. He passed on, and the man in the blue 
 cloth presently took his place. 
 
 4 They tell me you are a witch,' said he, speaking in rather 
 a low tone ; ' and, as you see, I am a countryman. Will you 
 have the goodness to explain to me I suppose you understand 
 it what all these people are ? ' 
 
 ' They are people who for the present find their happiness 
 in being other people,' said the witch, with a grave voice, iu 
 which, however, a laugh was somewhat imperfectly muffled. 
 1 Like yourself, sir.' 
 
 ' Like me ? Quite the contrary. I was never more myself, 
 I assure you. For that very reason I find myself not at home. 
 Excuse my curiosity. Why, if you please, do they seek their 
 happiness out of themselves, as it were, in this way ? ' 
 
 'Well,' said the witch confidentially, ' to tell you the truth, 
 / don't know. You see I am in your predicament, and was 
 never more myself.' 
 
 4 But I thought you had a familiar spirit ? I have read so 
 much as that.' 
 
 4 At your service ' said the witch. 
 
 1 Then be so good as to enlighten me. I see a moving
 
 THE RUNAWAY. 361 
 
 kaleidoscope view of figures it'a very pretty but why are 
 they all here?' 
 
 ' Some because they were invited,' said the witch critically. 
 ' And doubtless some because others were. And a good many 
 for fun and a few for mischief.' 
 
 ' Is it the custom in this country to make mischief one of 
 the pleasures of society ? ' 
 
 ' Yes 1 ' said the witch with some emphasis. ' And to tell 
 you the truth again, that is just one of the points in which 
 society might be improved.' 
 
 ' But how do fun and mischief go along together ? ' 
 
 ' Well, that depends,' said the witch. ' The wrong sort of 
 mischief spoils the right sort of fun.' 
 
 'And does that often happen, among such well-dressed 
 people as these?' 
 
 ' 0, where is her Grace ?' cried a gay voice in the distance. 
 ' I've sworn to find her.' 
 
 The witch was silent a moment, then answered slowly, ' It 
 happens quite often.' 
 
 4 Can people find nothing pleasanter to do with their time,' 
 said the countryman, ' than to spend it in mischief ? or in fun 
 which the mischief spoils? These things you tell me sound 
 very strange in my ears.' 
 
 ' The right sort of mischief is fun, and the right sort of fun 
 is not mischief,' she said impatiently. ' And what people find 
 in the wrong sorts, I don't know 1 ' 
 
 ' By the way,' said the countryman, ' how come you to be 
 here ? How did you escape, when Saul killed all the rest of 
 the witches?' 
 
 ' It is queer, isn't it ?' she said. ' Wouldn't you have sup- 
 posed I should be the first one to fall ? ' 
 
 ' And in this country, are you using your experience to make 
 or to mend mischief ? ' 
 
 'Make all I can 1 Are there any Sauls on hand,, do you 
 think?' 
 
 ' Pray, what sort of man would you characterize by that 
 name?' 
 
 ' Well,' said she of Endor with again the hidden laugh in her
 
 362 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 voice, ' some men have a hidden weakness for witches which 
 conflicts with their duty, and some men haven't !' 
 
 ' I hope I am not a Saul, then,' said the countryman laughing, 
 though softly ; ' but in any case you are safe to take my arm 
 for a walk round the rooms. I should like to see all that is to 
 be seen ; and perhaps you could help me to understand.' 
 
 It was not a more incongruous pair than were to be seen 
 in many parts of the assembly. The beauty of Charles the 
 Second's court was flirting with Eob Roy ; a lady in the 
 wonderful ruff of Elizabeth's time talked with a Roman toga ; 
 a Franciscan monk with bare feet gesticulated in front of a 
 Swiss maiden ; as the Witch of Endor sauntered through the 
 rooms on the arm of nobody knew exactly what countryman. 
 
 ' Your prejudices must be very often shocked here,' said the 
 countryman with a smothered tone of laughter again. ' Or, I 
 beg pardon ! has a witch any prejudices, seeing she can have 
 110 gravity?' 
 
 ' What does prejudice mean in your country ? ' 
 
 ' Much the same, I am afraid, that it does elsewhere. What 
 are we coming to ? ' 
 
 Passing slowly through the rooms, they had arrived at the 
 great saloon, at one end of which large folding doors opened 
 into another and smaller apartment. This smaller room was 
 hung with green baize ; candelabra shed gentle light upon it 
 from within the doors, so placed as not to be seen from the 
 principal room ; and over the folding doors was hung a thick 
 red curtain ; rolled up now. 
 
 ' What is all this?' 
 
 ' 0, if you wait a while,' said the witch, ' you will see further 
 transformations that is alL' 
 
 ' And what is this for ? ' said the countryman, pointing to the 
 rolled up red curtain. 
 
 ' To hide the transformed, till they are ready to be seen.' 
 
 4 But it does not hide anything,' said the countryman 
 obtusely. ' How do they get it down ?' 
 
 He went examining about the door-posts, with undoubted 
 curiosity, till he found the mechanism attached to the curtain 
 and touched the spring. Down fell the red folds in an instant
 
 THE RUNAWAY. 363 
 
 The man drew it up again and let it fall again, and again drew 
 it up. 
 
 ' Very good,' he said approvingly. ' Very good. We have 
 no such clever curtains in my country. That will do very 
 well.' 
 
 As he spoke, a bell sounded through the house. Imme- 
 diately the witch escaped by a side door. Two or three others 
 followed her ; and then the rest of the company began to pour 
 in and fill the saloon before the red curtain. 
 
 ' Well, I never was so stupid in all my life !' said the court 
 beauty. ' I might have known no other girl would come as a 
 roll of serge 1' 
 
 * And I might have known, that if I failed to recognise Miss 
 Kennedy's hand, it could be only because it was out of sight,' 
 said Mr. Kingsland, who by special favour wore only his own 
 face and dress. 
 
 4 You'll get a mitten from her hand and a slap in it, if you 
 don't look out,' said the lady. 
 
 ' Better a mitten from that hand, than a glove from any 
 other,' replied Mr. Kingsland with resignation. 
 
 ' Easier for you to get,' the beauty retorted. ' But did you 
 hear of the fun we had the other night? the best joke ! We 
 all put Seaton up to it, and he carried it off well. Dick 
 wouldn't. Before the dancing began, he went up to Miss 
 Kennedy and asked her with his gravest face, whether she felt 
 guardian's orders to be binding ? And she coloured all up, 
 like a child as she is, and inquired who wanted to know? So 
 Seaton bowed down to the ground almost, and said he 
 
 4 " I had the honour of asking Mr. Rollo this afternoon, con- 
 cerning the drive we spoke of ; and he gave me an emphatic no. 
 Arid now I am come to you to reverse the decision." 
 
 'Well, you should have seen her face! and " What did 
 he say, Major Seaton?" she asked. "As near as I can re- 
 member," said Seaton with another bow, " he said, Sir, I cannot 
 possibly allow Miss Kennedy to take any such drive as you 
 propose!'" 
 
 ' Well? ' said Mr. Kingsland, 4 1 have heavy wagers out on 
 Miss Kennedy's dignity.'
 
 364 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 ' I don't know what you call dignity,' said the beauty, ' I 
 didn't know at first but she would knock him down for his in- 
 formation, she did, with her eyes. And then my lady Duchess 
 drew herself up as grand as could be, and answered just as 
 if she didn't care a snap, " Did Mr. Rollo say that, Major 
 Seaton ? Then I certainly shall not go." ' 
 
 Mr. Kingsland clapped his hands softly ' Safe yet,' he said. 
 ' But where did Kitty pick up that name for her ? ' he added, 
 turning to his next neighbour. ' You are in the way of such titles.' 
 
 * Kitty won't tell,' the lady answered, an elaborate Queen 
 Elizabeth. 'Not at present. She found out nobody under- 
 stood, but Miss Kennedy does, so now she holds it over Miss 
 Kennedy's head that she will tell That is the way she got her 
 before the glass the other night.' 
 
 4 The tenderness these gentle creatures have for each other ! ' 
 said Mr. Kingsland. 
 
 Meantime a bustling crowd had been pouring in and filling 
 the saloon, and there began to be a cry for silence. The curtain 
 was down ; by whom dropped no one knew ; but now it was 
 raised again by the proper attendants, and the sight of the 
 cool green little stage brought people to their good behaviour. 
 The silence of expectancy spread through the assembly. 
 
 Behind the scenes there was a trifle of delay. 
 
 ' My dear child,' Mme. Lasalle whispered to the ci-devant 
 witch of Endor, 'Mr. Lasalle is in no condition to act with you 
 as he promised. Ill ; really ill, you know. We must take 
 some one else. Standing about with bare feet don't agree with 
 his constitution. It won't matter.' 
 
 ' It matters very much ! ' said Wych Hazel. 0, well just 
 leave that charade out. There are enough more.' 
 
 ' Indeed there are not ! ' exclaimed her hostess. ' We cannot 
 spare this. Indeed I doubt if any other will be worth present- 
 ing after it. My dear, it makes no difference! and you are 
 ready, and Stuart is ready, and the people are waiting. You 
 must not fail me at the pinch, Hazel. Go on and do your very 
 prettiest, for my sake.' 
 
 ' Not with Mr. Nightingale. I will have little Jemmy Seaton, 
 then. He is tall enough.'
 
 THE KUNAWAY. 365 
 
 4 He couldn't do it. Nonsense, my dear ! you don't mean 
 that there is anything serious in it ? It is only a play, and a 
 short one too ; and Stuart will be, privately, a great improve- 
 ment on Mr. Lasalle, who wouldn't have done it with spirit 
 enough ; as why should he ? Come, go on ! Stuart is not 
 worse to play with than another, is he ? Come ! there's Mr. 
 Brandevin waiting for you. He's capital ! ' 
 
 There was no time to debate the matter ; no time to make 
 further changes ; everybody was waiting ; Miss Kennedy had 
 to yield. 
 
 The first act was on this fashion. An old man in the blouse 
 of a Normandy peasant sat smoking his pipe. Enter to him 
 his daughter, a lovely peasant girl ; Wych Hazel to wit. The 
 father spoke in French ; the daughter mingled French and 
 English in her talk very prettily. There was some dumb show 
 of serving him; and then the old man got up to go out, 
 charging his daughter in the severest manner to admit no 
 company in his absence. Scarcely is he gone, when enter on 
 the other side a smart young man in the same peasant dress. 
 Words here were not audible. In dumb show the young man 
 made protestations of devotion, begged for his mistress's hand 
 and kissed it with great fervour ; and appeared to be carrying 
 on a lively suit to the damsel. Now nothing could have been 
 prettier than the picture and the pantomime. Stuart kept his 
 face away from the audience ; Wych Hazel was revealed, and 
 in the coy, blushing maidenly dignity and confusion which 
 suited the character and the occasion, was a tableau worth 
 looking at. Well looked at, and in deep silence of the com- 
 pany ; till suddenly the growling old French father is heard 
 coming back again. The peasant starts to his feet, the girl sita 
 down in terror. 
 
 'What shall I do?' he cries, aud she echoes, What shall 
 he do ? what shall he do ? ' 
 
 Then came confused answers from the spectators. ' Bolt, old 
 f ellow !'' Escape 1 '' Fly !'' Run 1' and the last word 
 being taken up and re-echoed, ' Run ! run 1' he did run ; ran out 
 and then ran in and across the stage again ; finally out of sight ; 
 and drop the curtain. The burst of applause was tremendous.
 
 366 WTOH HAZEL. 
 
 ' You'll hare to go on, you know, if that keeps up,' said 
 Stuart behind the scenes ; ' and I don't wonder. Here, Mr. 
 Brandevin, go in and stop them ! ' 
 
 The next scene was also very well done. The old French 
 gentleman was alone, and had it all to perform by himself. He 
 began with calling his daughter, in various discordant keys, 
 and with such a variety of impatient and exasperated intonation, 
 that the whole room was full of laughter. His daughter not 
 appearing nor answering, he next instituted a make-believe 
 search for her, feigning to go into the kitchen, the buttery, her 
 bedroom. Not finding her, and making a great deal of amuse- 
 ment for the spectators by the way, he at last comes back and 
 asks in a deploring tone, ' Where is she ? ' 
 
 Cries of ' Off ! ' ' Gone ! ' ' Sloped ! ' ' Away ! ' were such 
 a medley that nobody professed to be able yet to make out the 
 word. The curtain fell again. 
 
 ' You are very stupid,' said Mme. Lasalle. ' It is as plain M 
 possible.' 
 
 'It will be, when we see the rest,' said somebody. 'No, I 
 don't think it is, either.' 
 
 For as he spoke, the curtain rose upon an old clergyman, 
 busy with his books at a table with a lamp. He had a wig, and 
 looked very venerable indeed. Presently to him comes, after a 
 knock, his servant woman. 
 
 ' Please, sir, here's a young couple wantin' to see ye. It's 
 the old story, I expect.' 
 
 ' Let them come, Sarah let them come in ! ' says the old 
 clergyman ; ' the old story is the newest of all ! Let them 
 come, but first help me on with my gown. So ! now you 
 may open the door.' 
 
 Enter the old peasant's daughter and her lover. The latter 
 confers with the old clergyman, who wheezes and puffs and is 
 quite fussy ; finally bids them stand before him in the proper 
 position. The proper position, of course, brings the two young 
 people to face the audience, while the old clergyman's back was 
 a little turned to them, and no loss. 
 
 Now, the dislike with which Miss Kennedy had received the 
 change of companions in this charade, by no means lessened as
 
 THE RUNAWAY. 367 
 
 the play went on. The iirst scene had annoyed her, the 
 minute she had time to think it over during the solo of the 
 second ; and now finding herself face to face with ideas as well 
 as people, ideas that were not among her familiars, was very 
 disagreeable ; all the more that Mr. Nightingale had contrived 
 to infuse rather more spirit into his part of the performance 
 than was absolutely needful. Wych Hazel looked unmistake- 
 ably disturbed, and her eyes never quitted the ground. The 
 audience, quite failing to catch her mood, only applauded. 
 
 ' Capital I ' said General Merrick. * Positively capital ! If it 
 was a real case, and she in momentary expectation of her father, 
 she might look just so.' 
 
 4 Or if she had accidentally escaped with the wrong person,' 
 said Captain Lancaster, who would have rather preferred to be 
 in Mr. Nightingale's position himself. 
 
 ' No,' said one of the ladies, ' she is not afraid, what is 
 she?' 
 
 ' She is Wych Hazel,' said Mr. Kingsland. Do you see 
 what a breath came then ? Not complimentary to Nightingale 
 but he can find somebody else to turn hia head.' 
 
 Meanwhile, they all standing so, the old clergyman began his 
 office. 
 
 ' Wilt thou have this woman to be thy wedded wife ? ' he 
 demanded audibly enough. And Stuart's reply came clear 
 
 I -will.' 
 
 ' Wilt thou have this man to be thy wedded husband?' 
 
 He had turned towards the pretty peasant girl who stood 
 there with her eyes cast down, and expectation was a-tiptoe. 
 Before the eyes were lifted and before an answer could be re- 
 turned, another actor came upon the scene. The countryman 
 who wore the dark blue cloth bound with crimson, stepped into 
 the group from his place at the side of the curtain. He wore 
 his broad-brimmed hat, but removed his domino as he came 
 upon the stage. Yet he stood so that the audience were not in 
 position to see his face. They heard his voice. 
 
 ' There is a mistake here,' he said with an excellent French 
 accent on his English. This lady is a what you call she has 
 no power to dispose of herself.'
 
 368 WTCH HAZEL. 
 
 The clergyman looked somewhat doubtful and astonished ; 
 he had not been prepared for this turn of the play ; but it was 
 all in keeping, the interruption came naturally, quietly ; he 
 had to meet it accordingly. Stuart's face darkened ; he knew 
 better ; nevertheless for him too there was but one thing pos- 
 sible, to go on and play the play. His face was all in keeping, 
 too. The anger of the one and the doubt of the other actor 
 were all proper to the action and only helped the effect. 
 
 ' Diable 1 what do you want here ? ' the young peasant ex- 
 claimed. 
 
 ' What is all this, sir ? what is this ?' said the old minister. 
 1 What do you here, sir ? ' 
 
 ' I come for the lady.' 
 
 ' The lady don't want to see you, you fool ! ' exclaimed Stuart. 
 * You needn't think it.' 
 
 4 What authority have you here, sir, to interfere with n;y 
 office ?' demanded the clergyman. 
 
 'Monsieur' said the countryman hesitating, 'Monsieur 
 knows. This young girl is young I represent the guardians 
 of her. She is minor ; she has no property, nor no power to 
 marry herself ; she has nothing at all. She has run away, 
 Monsieur sees. Come, you runaway !' he went on, advancing 
 lightly to where the young girl stood. ' Come with me ! Sho 
 has run away ; there is no marriage to-day, sir,' he added with 
 a touch of his hat to the old clergyman. And then, taking 
 Wych Hazel's hand and putting it on his arm he walked her 
 out of the room. It was not as it was a few evenings ago ; 
 her hand was taken in earnest now and held, and she was 
 obliged to go as she was led. In the little apartment which 
 served as a green-room there were one or two attendants. 
 Rollo walked past them with a steady, swift step which never 
 stayed nor allowed his companion to stop, until he reached the 
 ladies' dressing-room. It was entirely empty now. The very 
 servants had gathered where they could see the play. Here 
 Rollo released his charge. 
 
 The first thing she did was to seat herself on the nearest chair 
 and look up at him. Her first words were peculiar. 
 
 ' If I could give you the least idea, Mr. Rollo, how exceed-
 
 THE EUNAWAY. 369 
 
 ingly disagreeable it is to hare my hand taken in that way, it 
 is possible I am not sure but it impossible, you would not do 
 it. Your hands are so strong 1' she said, looking down at the 
 little soft things in her lap. ' And niy strength is not practised. ' 
 
 He looked grave, but spoke very gently, bending towards her 
 as if also considering the little hands. 
 
 ' Did I act too well ? ' said he. ' You see, that was because 
 there was so much earnest in it.' 
 
 ' What made you do it ? is everything forbidden unless I ask 
 leave?' 
 
 ' Do you want to know why I did it ? ' 
 
 ' I did not like the play, either,' she said,' and I did not 
 expect part of it. But I had promised ; and straight through 
 was the quickest way out. It would have done everybody 
 too much honour to make a fuss.' 
 
 ' I did nobody any honour and I made no fuss,' said Rollo, 
 in his old quaint fashion. ' And my way was the very quickest 
 way out for you.' 
 
 She jumped up, with a queer little inarticulate answer that 
 covered all his statements. 
 
 ' There will be a fuss if I do not find a quick way back 
 among all those people,' she said, passing round him to the 
 door. Then paused with 'her hand on the knob, considering 
 something. 
 
 ' Why did you do it, Mr. Rollo? ' 
 
 ' I will try to explain, as soon as I get an opportunity. One 
 word/ he added, detaining her, ' Laugh it off as far as you 
 can, down-stairs, as part of the play.' 
 
 ' Easy to do ! ' said the girl with some emphasis. ' Unfor- 
 tunately, I do not feel at all like laughing. If you had done 
 me a little honour, sir, it would have been needless.' 
 
 She went first to the small dressing-room down-stairs, catch- 
 ing up her serge and muffling herself in it once more, so that 
 not a thread of the peasant's dress appeared; then went 
 silently in among the crowd, a very sober witch indeed. It 
 was a little while before she was molested. By and by, while 
 another charade was engaging people's interest, Mme. Lasalle 
 worked round to the muffled figure.
 
 370 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 ' My dear,' she whispered, ' who was that ? ' 
 
 * One of your dominoes, Madame. Acted with a good deal 
 of spirit, didn't you think so ? ' 
 
 'Magnifique! But that was none of my dominoes. My 
 dear, you will never know how lovely your representation was. 
 But, that interruption was no part of our play, as we had 
 planned it. How came it? Who was it? Somebody who 
 made play to suit himself. How came it, Hazel ? ' 
 
 4 Just what I have been trying to find out,' said the girl. 
 4 1 shall not rest till I do.' But she moved off then, and kept 
 moving, and was soon too well taken possession of for many 
 questions to reach her. All of her audience but two or three, 
 took the interruption for part of the play, and were loud in 
 their praises. Hearing and not hearing, muffled in thoughts 
 yet more than in serge, either as actor or spectator, the Witch 
 of Endor saw the charades through, and played with her supper, 
 and finally went out to her carriage and the dark world of night. 
 For there was no moon this time, and stars are uncertain things. 
 
 As Stuart Nightingale came back from putting her into the 
 carriage, he encountered his aunt. 
 
 ' Well ! ' he said in an impatient voice, smothered as it was, 
 ' that job's all smoke.' 
 
 'Who was it?' 
 
 4 That infernal meddler, of course.' 
 
 'Rollo?' 
 
 ' Who else would have dared ? ' 
 
 1 How did he get in?' 
 
 ' That you ought to know better than I. It was no fault of 
 mine.' 
 
 4 Rollo ! ' said Mme. Lasalle. ' And I thought I had cleverly 
 kept him out. The tickets were not transferable. Did site let 
 him in?' 
 
 4 Not she. No doing of hers, nor liking, I promise you. I 
 think he has settled his own business, by the way. But we 
 can't try this on a second time, Aunt Victorine. Confound 
 him!'
 
 CHAPTER XXXVII. 
 
 HAZEL was accompanied to her carriage of course, as usual. 
 But when she was shut in, she heard an unwelcome voice say- 
 ing to her coachman, 'Drive slowly, Reo; the night is very 
 dark;' and immediately the carriage door was opened again 
 and the speaker took his seat beside her ; without asking leave 
 this time. A passing glare from the lamps of another carriage 
 shewed her head and hands down on the window-sill, in the 
 way she had come from Greenbush. Neither head nor hands 
 stirred now. 
 
 Her companion was silent and let her be still, until the car- 
 riage had moved out of the Moscheloo grounds and was quietly 
 making its way along the dark high road. Lamps flung some 
 light right and left from the coach box ; but within the dark- 
 ness was deep. The reflection from trees and bushes, the gleam 
 of fence rails, the travelling spots of illumination in the road, 
 did not much help matters there. 
 
 ' Miss Hazel,' said Rollo, and he spoke, though very quietly, 
 with a sort of breath of patient impatience, ' I have come with 
 you to-night because I could not let you drive home alone such 
 a dark night, and because I have something to say to you which 
 w i 11 not bear to wait a half -hour longer. Can you listen to me ? ' 
 
 ' I am listening, sir,' she said, again in a sort of dull passive- 
 ness. ' May I keep this position ? I think I must be tired.' 
 
 ' Are you very angry with me ? ' he asked gently. 
 
 ' No,' she said in the same tone. ' I believe not. I wish I 
 could get angry with people. It is the easiest way.' 
 
 * If you are not angry, give me your hand once more.' 
 
 ' Are we to execute any further gyrations ? '
 
 372 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 ' Give it to me, and we will see.' 
 
 Rather hesitatingly, one white glove came from the window- 
 sill, within his reach. 
 
 ' You are a queer person ! ' she said. ' You will neither give 
 orders nor make me execute them, without having hold of my 
 hand ! Are you keeping watch of my pulse, so as to stop in time ?' 
 
 He made no answer to that, nor spoke at all immediately. 
 His hand closed upon the little white glove, and keeping it so, 
 he presently said gravely, 
 
 ' You and I ought to be good friends, Hazel, on several 
 accounts ; because your father and mother were good friends 
 of mine, and because I love you very dearly.' 
 
 A slight motion on her part, he could not tell whether she 
 started, or what it was, changed instantly to a breathless 
 stillness. Only for a timid stir of the hand, as if it meant to 
 slip away unnoticed. But it was held too firmly for that. 
 
 ' I don't know whether you know yet,' he went on after a 
 slight pause, ' what it is to love anybody very dearly. I 
 remember you told Gyda one day that you had never loved 
 any one so since your mother. Certainly I have never had a 
 right to flatter myself that / had been able to teach you what 
 it means. If I am mistaken, tell me.' 
 
 ' Easy work!' she might have answered again, to tell him 
 what she had never told herself. And particularly nice of him 
 to choose such a place for his inquiries, where there was no 
 possible way of exit (for her) but the coach window. What 
 had he ever tried to teach her, except to mind ? And of course 
 she never knew anything about anything ! But there Haz"l 
 shifted her ground, and felt herself growing frightened, and 
 certainly wished her new guardian a hundred miles away. 
 What did he mean? was he only sounding her, as Mr. Falkirk 
 did sometimes ? If so, he might just find out for himself ! 
 With which clear view of the case, Wych Hazel set her foot 
 (mentally) on all troublesome possibilities, and sat listening to 
 hear her heart beat ; and wondered how many statements of 
 fact Mr. Eollo was going to make, and at what point in the list 
 truth would oblige her to start up and confront him ? 
 
 He had paused a little, to give room for the answer he did
 
 IN A FOG. 373 
 
 not expect. Seeing it came not, with a slight hastily drawn 
 breath he went on again. 
 
 ' In the meantime you have heard what you never ought to 
 liave heard, or not for a long time ; and through the same 
 good agency other people have heard it too ; and you are placed 
 in a position almost to hate the sight of me, and shrink from 
 the sound of my name ; and you are looking upon your father's 
 will as binding you to a sort of slavery. I am not going to 
 stand this a minute longer. 
 
 ' Hazel unless you can love me dearly, my privileges as 
 guardian would be of no use to me. I would not take advan- 
 tage of them if I could. I would not have you on any other 
 terms. And I certainly am not going to be a clog upon your 
 happiness. I have made up my mind to keep my office, nomi- 
 nally for one year ; practically I mean to leave you very much 
 to Mr. Falkirk. I will keep it for a year. At the end of the 
 year, you shall tell me whether I shall give it up or keep it 
 longer. But if longer, it will be for ever. And I warn you, if 
 you give it to me then, it will be a closer and sweeter guardian- 
 ship than you have had yet, Hazel. I will keep what I love, 
 so dearly and absolutely as I love her. But I shall not speak 
 to you again on this subject until the year's end. You need 
 not be afraid. I mean to see you and let you see me ; but you 
 will hear no more about this till the time comes.' 
 
 No answer, even then, only the trembling of the little hand. 
 Dark as it was, she turned her head yet more away, laying her 
 other cheek upon the window. 
 
 * Are we friends now ? ' he said somewhat lower. 
 
 ' Mr. Hollo ' she began. But the tremor had found its way 
 to the girl's voice, and she broke off short. 
 
 ' Well ? ' said he. ' That is one of the parties. I meant, Mr. 
 Rollo and Hazel.' 
 
 ' Be quiet !' she said impatiently ' and let me speak.' But 
 what Hazel wanted to say, did not immediately appear. 
 
 He answered by a clasp of her hand, and waited. 
 
 ' I am quiet,' he suggested at length. 
 
 The girl made a desperate effort, and lifted up her head, and 
 sat back in her place, to answer ; but managing her voice very
 
 374 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 much like spun glass, which might give way in the using ; and 
 evidently choosing her words with great care, every now and 
 then just missing the wrong one. 
 
 'You go on making statements,' she said, catching her 
 breath, ' and I have taken up none of them, because I cannot, 
 because if, I mean, I have let them all pass, Mr. Rollo.' 
 If truth demanded a greater sacrifice just then, it could not be 
 because this one was small. 
 
 ' I know,' he answered. ' Will you do better now ? What 
 mistake has your silence led me into, or left me in ?' 
 
 ' I said nothing about mistakes. And I always do as well as 
 I can at first,' said Hazel, with a touch of the same impatience. 
 
 ' My statements did not call for an answer. But I am going 
 to say some other things to which I do want an answer. Shall 
 I go on ? ' 
 
 ' You know what they are,' she said. 
 
 ' I want you,' he went on, speaking slowly and deliberately, 
 ' to give me your promise that you will not waltz any more 
 until the year is out that I spoke of.' 
 
 She answered presently, speaking in a measured sort of way, 
 ' That is one thing. The other ? ' 
 
 ' I want your promise to this first.' 
 
 ' Suppose I am not ready to give it ? ' 
 
 1 1 ask for it, all the same.' 
 
 Again she sorted her words. 
 
 ' Well then I am not ready, I mean, not willing. And do 
 not you see at least, I mean, you do not see how unreason- 
 ing a request it is ? ' The adjective gave her some trouble. 
 
 ' Not unreasonable? ' 
 
 ' I said nothing about reasonable or unreasonable.' 
 
 ' No. But I must have your promise. If you knew the 
 world better, it would not be necessary for me to make the 
 request ; I know that ; but the fact that you are simple as a 
 wild lily, does not make me willing to see the wild lily lose 
 any of its charm. Neither will I, Hazel, as long as I have the 
 care of it. So long as you are even in idea mine, no man shall 
 touch you, again, as I saw it last night ! You are precious 
 to me beyond such a possibility. Give me your promise.'
 
 IN A FOG. 375 
 
 ' You shall not talk to me so ! ' she cried, shrinking off in the 
 old fashion. ' I will not let you ! You have done it before. 
 And I tell you that I never touch anybody except with the 
 tip end of my glove ! ' 
 
 ' No more than the wild lily does. But, Hazel, no one shall 
 touch the lily, while I have the care of it ! ' He spoke in the 
 low tone of determination. Hazel did not answer. 
 
 ' Promise me ! ' he said again, when he found that she was 
 silent. 
 
 'By your own shewing it is hardly needed,' she said. ' I 
 suppose obedience may do as well.' 
 
 ' Let it be a matter of grace, not of obligation.' 
 
 ' There is some grace in obedience. Why do you want a 
 promise?' 
 
 ' To make the matter certain. Else you may be tempted, or 
 cajoled, into what if you knew better you would never do. 
 You will know better by and by. Meanwhile I stand in the 
 way. Come ! give me the promise ! ' 
 
 There was a little bit of a laugh at that, saying various 
 things. 
 
 ' I shall not be cajoled,' she said. ' But I will not make 
 promises.' 
 
 ' How then will you make me secure, that what I do not 
 wish shall not be done ? ' 
 
 ' It is not a matter about which I am anxious, sir,' said Miss 
 Wych coolly. 
 
 ' I am not anxious,' he said very quietly, ' because, one way 
 or another I will be secure. Do you think I can hold you in 
 my heart as I do, and suffer other men to approach you as I 
 saw it last night ? Never again, Hazel ! ' 
 
 Dead silence on the lady's part ; this ' mixed-Tip ' style of 
 remark being, as she found, extremely hard to answer. 
 
 * What shall I do ? ' he said gently. 
 
 * About what, sir?' 
 
 ' Making myself secure ? * 
 
 * I do not know,' said Wych Hazel. ' No suggestion occurs 
 to me that would be worth your consideration.' 
 
 'I spoke to you once, some time ago, on the abstract
 
 376 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 grounds of the question we have under discussion. These, 
 being only a wild lily, you did not comprehend. You do not 
 love me, or you would give me my promise fast enough on other 
 grounds. You leave me a very difficult way. You leave me 
 no way but to take measures to remove you from temptation. 
 Is not that less pleasant, Hazel, than to give me the promise ? ' 
 
 She was silent for several minutes ; not pondering the ques- 
 tion, but fighting the pain. To be forced into anything, to 
 have him take that tone with her ! 
 
 ' How will you do it? ' she said. 
 
 He hesitated, and then answered gently, 
 
 ' You need not ask me that. You will not make it necessary.' 
 
 ' Not ask ? ' said Wych Hazel rousing up. ' Of course I ask ! 
 Do you expect to frighten me off my feet with a mere imper- 
 sonal "it"?' Then with a laugh which somehow told merely 
 of pain, she added : ' You might cut short my allowance, and 
 stint me in slippers, only that unfortunately the allowance is 
 a fixed fact.' 
 
 ' I did not mean to threaten,' he said in a voice that certainly 
 spoke of pain on his own part. ' Is it so much to promise, 
 Hazel?' 
 
 ' You did do it, however,' said the girl, ' but we will pass 
 that. Everything is " much," to promise. And why I refur-.e, 
 Mr. Rollo, is not the question. But it seems to me, that while 
 my father might command me, on my allegiance, to give sucli 
 a promise, no delegated authority of his can reach so far. I 
 may find myself mistaken.' 
 
 ' Do me justice,' he said. ' I did not command a promise ; 
 I sued for it. The protection the promise was to throw around 
 you, I will secure in other ways if I must. But do not forget, 
 Hazel, why I do it.' 
 
 4 1 do not believe you know,' said the girl excitedly. ' " Wild 
 lilies " ? why, even wild elephants are not usually required to 
 tie their own knots. What comes next ? I should like to have 
 the whole, if possible, before I get home which seems likely 
 to be about breakfast tune.' 
 
 4 Reo is driving as fast as he ought to drive, such a night. 
 What do you mean by " what comes next " ? '
 
 IN A FOG. 377 
 
 ' You said, I thought, you had several things to speak of.' 
 
 ' I remember. I was going to ask you to go to see Gyda 
 sometimes.' 
 
 ' That is already disposed of if I am to be allowed to go 
 nowhere,' said Hazel, with a rush of pain which very nearly 
 got into her voice. ' The next, Mr. Rollo ? ' 
 
 ' I think, nothing next. You know,' he went on, speaking 
 half lightly, and yet with a thread of tender persuasion in his 
 voice, ' you know that next year you can dispose of me. See- 
 ing that in the meanwhile you cannot help yourself, would it 
 not be better to give me the assurance that for this year you 
 will forego the waltz ? and let things go on as they are ? Field 
 mice always make the best of circumstances.' 
 
 ' All summer,' she answered, ' you have not taken the trouble 
 to forbid me ! And now, forbidding will not do, but you must 
 use threats. They might at least wait until I had disobeyed.' 
 
 ' That is a very distant view of me indeed ! ' said Rollo. 
 ' Details are lost. I will get you a lorgnette the next time I 
 go anywhere.' 
 
 ' You had better,' said Hazel, not stopping to weigh her 
 words this time, 'for such distance does not lend enchant- 
 ment. 'After which, the silence on her part became rather 
 profound. 
 
 ' No,' said Rollo dryly, * I see it does not. What will you do, 
 by and by, when you are sorry for having treated me so this 
 evening ? ' 
 
 4 1 daresay I shall find out, when the time comes.' 
 
 She leaned her head back against the carriage, wanting 
 dreadfully to get home, and put it down, and think. She 
 could not think with her hand held fast in that fashion, and 
 she could not get it away, without making a fuss and so draw- 
 ing attention to the fact that it was not in her own keeping. 
 One or two slight efforts in that direction had been singularly 
 fruitless. So she sat still, puzzling over questions which have 
 perplexed older heads than hers. As, how you can have a 
 thing given you, and yet not seem to possess it, and why 
 people cannot say words to give you pleasure, without at 
 once adding others to give you pain. What had she done?
 
 378 WTCH HAZEL. 
 
 Mr. Falkirk would have thought her a miracle of obedience 
 these two last nights ; she even wondered at herself. How she 
 had enjoyed her home this summer! it seemed to her she 
 loved every leaf on every tree. What could he mean by 
 ' remove 1 ? And here a long, deep sigh so nearly escaped her 
 lips, that she sat up again in sudden haste, erect as before ; 
 but feeling unmistakeably lonely, and just a little bit forlorn. 
 
 Perhaps her companion's thoughts had come on one point 
 near to hers ; for he gently put the little white glove back upon 
 her lap and left it there. His words went back to her last 
 ones, though after a minute's interval. 
 
 ' It will come,' he said confidently. ' All the field mice of 
 my acquaintance are true and tender. When it comes, Hazel, 
 will you do me justice ? ' 
 
 She stirred uneasily, and once or twice essayed to speak, and 
 did not make it out. This way of taking things for granted, 
 and on such made ground laying out railroads and running 
 trains, was very confusing. Hazel felt as if the air were full 
 of mistakes, and none of them within her reach. When at 
 last she did speak, plainly she had kid hold of the easiest. The 
 words came out abruptly, but in one of her sweet bird-like 
 tones. 
 
 ' Mr. Rollo I am not the least imaginable bit like a field 
 mouse ! ' 
 
 ' In what respect ? ' 
 
 * These nice, tender people that you know ' she went on. 
 4 1 believe I am true.' 
 
 It might have been some pressure of the latter fact, that 
 made her go on after a moment's pause ; catching her breath a 
 little, as if to go on were very disagreeable, speaking quick and 
 low ; correcting herself here and there. 
 
 ' I wish you would stop saying all sorts of things, Mr. Eollo. 
 Because they are not true. Some of them. And I do not 
 understand you. Sometimes. And I do not know what you 
 mean by my doing you justice. Because I always did I 
 think. And I have not " treated you " at all to-night.' 
 
 With which Hazel leaned head and hands down upon the 
 window again, and looked out into the night. Would they
 
 IN A FOG. 379 
 
 ever get home? But it was impossible to drive faster. A 
 thick fog filled the air, and it was intensely dark. 
 
 ' I have been telling you that I love you. That you do not 
 quite understand. I am bound not to speak on the subject 
 again for a whole year. But supposing that in the meantime 
 you should come to the understanding of it, and suppose you 
 find out that I have given field mice a just character ; will 
 you do me the justice to let me find it out ? And in the mean- 
 time, we shall be at Chickaree presently, perhaps you will 
 give me, in a day or two, the assurance I have begged of you, 
 and not drive me to extremities.' 
 
 ' Very well ! ' she said, raising her head again, ' if you will 
 have it in that shape ! But the worth of an insignificant thing 
 depends a little upon the setting ; and the setting of my refusal 
 was much better than the setting of my compliance. There is 
 no grace whatever about this. And take notice, sir, that if 
 you had gone to " extremities," you would have driven yourself. 
 I always have obeyed, and always should. But I give the 
 promise ! ' and her head went down again, and her eyes looked 
 straight out into the fog. 
 
 He said 'Thank you!' earnestly, and he said no more. 
 There is no doubt but he felt relieved ; at the same time 
 there is no doubt but Mr. Rollo was a mystified man. That 
 her compliance had no grace about it, was indeed manifest 
 enough; the grace of her refusal was further to seek. He 
 deposited the little lady of Chickaree at her own door with no 
 more words than a ' good-night ; ' and went the rest of his 
 way in the fog alone. And if Wych Hazel had suffered some 
 annoyance that evening, her young guardian was not without 
 his share of pain. It was rather sharp for a time, after he had 
 parted from her. Had the work of these weeks, and of his 
 revealed guardianship, and of his exercise of office, driven her 
 from him entirely ? He looked into the question, as he drove 
 home through the fog.
 
 CHAPTER XXXVIII. 
 
 IT was no new thing for the young lady of Chickaree to come 
 home late, and dismiss her attendants, and put herself to bed ; 
 neither was it uncommon for her to sleep over breakfast time 
 in such cases, and take her coffee afterwards in Mrs. Bywank's 
 room alone. But when the fog had cleared away, the morniDg 
 after Mme. Lasalle's ball, and the sun was riding high, and 
 still no signs of Miss Wych ; then Mrs. Bywank went to her 
 room. And the good housekeeper was much taken aback to 
 find peasant dress and grey serge curled down together in a 
 heap on the floor, and Miss Wych among them, asleep with her 
 head in a chair. Perhaps that in itself was not so much ; but 
 the long eyelashes lay wet and heavy upon her cheek, and 
 Mrs. Bywank knew that token of old. 
 
 I am afraid some hard thoughts about Mr. Eollo disturbed 
 her mind, as she stood there looking. What use had he made of 
 his ticket to distress her darling ? she such a mere child, and 
 he with his mature twenty-five years ? But Mrs. Bywank did 
 not dare to ask, even when the girl stirred and woke and rose 
 up ; though the ready flush, and the unready eyes, and the 
 grave mouth, went to her very heart. She noted, too, that her 
 young lady went into no graphic descriptions of the ball, as 
 was her wont ; but merely bade Phoebe take away the two 
 fancy dresses, and ensconced herself in a maze of soft white 
 folds, and then went and knelt down by the open window ; 
 leaning her elbows there, and her chin on her hands. Mrs. 
 Bywank waited. 
 
 ' Miss Wych,' she began after a while, 'my dear, you have 
 had no breakfast.'
 
 DODGING. 381 
 
 ' I want none.' 
 
 ' But you will have some lunch ? ' 
 
 'No.' 
 
 ' My dear, you must,' said Mrs. Bywank. ' You will be 
 sick, Miss Wych.' 
 
 ' Don't you say " must" to me, Byo! ' said the girl impetu- 
 ously. But then she started up and flung her arms round Mrs. 
 By wank and kissed her, and said, ' Come, let's have some lunch, 
 then; 'giving half-a-dozen orders to Phoebe as she went along. 
 But the minute lunch was over, Wych Hazel stepped into her 
 carriage and drove away. Not the landau this time, though 
 the September day was fair and soft ; neither was the young 
 lady arrayed in any wise for paying visits ; her white cloud of 
 morning muslin and lace, her broad gipsy hat, and gauntlets 
 caught up and carried in her hand, not put on, so she 
 bestowed herself in the close carriage which generally she used 
 only by night. And the low-spoken orders to Reo were, to 
 take her a road she had never been, and drive till she told him 
 to stop. Then she threw herself back against the cushions, 
 and buried her face in her hands, and tried to think. 
 
 If that was to leave her ' practically to Mr. Falkirk,' her 
 knowledge of English was somewhat deficient. And if belong- 
 ing to somebody merely ' in idea ' had such results ! but she 
 was shy of the ' idea,' blushing over it there all by herself as 
 she pushed it away. She was disappointed, there was no doubt 
 about that. Foiled of her plan, over which she had pleased 
 herself ; for she had intended to give a ' no ' instead of a ' yes ' 
 at the right place in the charade, to the discomfiture of all 
 parties ; curbed by a strong hand, which she never could bear ; 
 hurt and sorrowful that nobody would trust her with even the 
 cure of her own womanhood. 
 
 4 1 wonder what there is about me ? ' she cried to herself, 
 with two or three indignant tears rushing up unbidden. * As 
 if I had not a sharper lesson the other night than any he could 
 give ! ' No, not quite that ; the sharpest dated further back ; 
 but this would have been enough of itself. And what else was 
 ehe to do or not do? she took down her hands and crossed 
 them, and looked at them as she had done before the picture of
 
 382 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 the ' loss of all things.' These bonds did not feel like those ; 
 she did not like them, none the less ; and she wondered what 
 was his idea of close guardianship ? And had he made any 
 misstatements ? Reo drove on and on, till his practised eye 
 saw that to get home by tea-time was all that was left, and 
 then stopped and got permission to turn round. 
 
 But driving seemed to have become a sudden passion with 
 Miss Wych. She kept herself out, somewhere, somehow, day 
 after day ; denied of course to all visitors, and of small avail to 
 Mr. Falkirk, except to pour out his coffee. Miss Kennedy was 
 in danger of creating a new excitement ; being always out and 
 yet never visible ; for one entertainment after another went by 
 and brought only her excuses. 
 
 Either the driving fever cooled, however, or Wych Hazel 
 found out at last that even thoughts may be troublesome com- 
 pany ; for she began suddenly to surround herself with invited 
 guests ; and one or two to breakfast, and three to lunch, and 
 six to dinner, became the new order of things for Mr. Falkirk's 
 delectation. Some favoured young ladies even stayed over night 
 sometimes, and then they all went driving together. Mr. 
 Falkirk frowned, and Mrs. Bywank smiled ; and cards accumu- 
 lated to a fearful extent in the hall basket at Chickaree. 
 
 Rollo among others had been discomfited by finding the 
 young lady invisible, or, what was the same thing for his pur- 
 pose, visible to too many at once. This state of things lasted 
 some tune, but in the nature of things could not last for ever. 
 There came a morning, when Mr. Falkirk was the only visitor 
 at the Chickaree breakfast table, and just as Mr. Falkirk's 
 coffee was poured out, Dingee announced his co-guardian. 
 
 Well she knew it had to come ; but she could have found 
 in her heart to execute summary justice on Dingee for the 
 announcement, nevertheless. Nobody saw her eyes, and 
 nobody could help seeing her cheeks ; but all else that tran- 
 spired was a very reserved : 
 
 * Good morning, Mr. Rollo. You are just in time to enliven 
 Mr. Falkirk's breakfast, over which he ran some risk of going 
 to sleep.' 
 
 Perhaps Mr. Rollo had a flashing question cross his niind,
 
 DODGING. 383 
 
 whether he had not missed something through lack of a 
 hunter's patience the other night ; but he was too much of a 
 hunter to do anything but make the best of circumstances. He 
 shook hands in precisely his usual manner ; remarking that Mr. 
 Falkirk had not had a ride of four miles ; took his breakfast 
 like a man who had ; talked politics ; and only towards the 
 close of breakfast suddenly turned to his hostess and asked, 
 ' How does Jeannie Deans behave ?' 
 
 Apparently Hazel's thoughts had not been held fast by the 
 subjects under discussion, for she had gone into a deep, grave 
 meditation. 
 
 ' Jeannie Deans ?' she said with her face flushing all up 
 again. ' Why very well. The last time I rode her.' 
 
 ' When was that ?' 
 
 * Monday, I think, was the day of the week ; but I suppose 
 she would have behaved just as well if it had been Tuesday.' 
 
 * Then probably she would have no objection to Wednesday ?' 
 ' Other things being conformable,' said Wych Hazel, still 
 
 keeping her eyes to herself. 
 
 ' Do you mean, that you and she are in such sympathy, that 
 if she does not behave well you know the reason?' 
 
 ' I never sympathize with anybody's ill-behaviour but my 
 own,' said Hazel ; ' if that is what you mean.' 
 
 ' I meant,' said Rollo with perfect gravity, ' that perhaps she 
 sympathized with yours f 
 
 ' It occurs to me in this connection talking of behaviour,' 
 said Miss Kennedy, ' that I had a question to ask of you two 
 gentlemen, which it may save time and trouble to state 
 while you are both together. Are you attending to me, sir?' 
 she asked, looking straight over at her other guardian now, 
 ' or has your mind gone off to : " Grand Vizier certainly 
 strangled " ?' 
 
 ' My mind never goes off when you begin to state questions, 
 Miss Hazel ; knowing that it will probably have work enough 
 at home.' 
 
 ' This one is extremely simple, sir. Why, when you both 
 agreed that I should have neither saddle-horse nor pony for my 
 own individual use, did you not tell me so at once ? Instead
 
 384 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 of keeping me all summer in a state of hope deferred and dis- 
 appointment in hand ?' 
 
 'Shall I take the burden of explanation on myself, sir?' 
 asked Rollo. 
 
 ' If you like. It lies on you properly,' said Mr. Falkirk, in 
 anything but an amiable voice. 
 
 ' Then may I order up Jeannie for you ?' Rollo went on, 
 with a smile, to Wych Hazel ; ' and I will explain as we go 
 along.' 
 
 ' That is to say, there is no explanation, but just the one I 
 had made out for myself. Mr. Falkirk, did I ever practise any 
 underhand dealings with you ?' she said. 
 
 ' Don't begin to do it with me,' said Rollo. ' Suppose you 
 put on your habit, nnd in half an hour we'll have it all out on 
 the road.' 
 
 ' Your respective ancestors must have been invaluable in the 
 old Salem times,' said the young lady, arching her brows a 
 little. * In these days I think truth should win truth.' With 
 which expression of opinion Miss "Wych whistled for a fresh 
 glass of water and dismissed the subject. Not without a 
 smothered sigh, however. 
 
 ' I did not understand,' said Rollo, ' that expression of respect 
 for our ancestors.' 
 
 'Naturally. As I expressed none. But I remember you 
 belong across the sea ; where witchcraft probably is unknown, 
 and so is never dealt with.' 
 
 4 What would you give as the best manner of dealing with 
 it ?' Rollo inquired with admirable command of countenance. 
 
 ' I suppose I should let them go their way. But then, being 
 one of the guild, I of course fail to see the danger ; and cannot 
 appreciate the mild form of fear which has shadowed Mr. 
 Falkirk for ten years past ; nor the sharper attack which haa 
 suddenly seized Mr. Rollo.' She could keep her face too ; 
 looking carelessly down and poising her teaspoon. 
 
 ' What becomes of your kitten, when you are suddenly made 
 aware that there are strange dogs about?' said Rollo again, 
 eyeing her. 
 
 My kitten, indeed !' said Hazel, with just so much stir of
 
 DODGING. 385 
 
 her composure as recognised the look which yet she did not 
 see. ' Did you ever hear of a dog's cajoling a cat, Mr. 
 Rollo?' 
 
 ' Did you never hear of puss in a corner ?' 
 
 ' Yes,' she said. ' You would not think it, but I am very 
 good at that.' 
 
 ' You are very good at something else,' said he smiling. 
 ' "Will you permit me to remind you, that I have not yet had 
 the honour of an answer to my inquiry whether your witch- 
 ship will ride this morning ?' 
 
 If Mr. Falkirk had been away, it is not sure what she would 
 have answered ; but Hazel had no mind to draw out even silent 
 comments from him. So she gave a hesitating answer that yet 
 granted the appeal. Then wished the next moment she had 
 not given it. Would she need most courage to take it back, 
 or to go on ? 
 
 ' If you will excuse me, then, I will go and see to the horses. 
 I leave you, Mr. Falkirk, to defend yourself! I have been 
 unable to decoy the enemy.' 
 
 "With which he went off. Mr. Falkirk's brows were drawn 
 pretty close. 
 
 'Miss Hazel, I should like to be told, now that we are alone, 
 in what way I have failed to meet " truth with truth " ?' 
 
 ' My dear sir, how you do scowl at me !' said Miss Hazel, 
 retaking her easy manner, now that her enemy was away. ' I 
 only used the word in a popular sense. If I never misled you, 
 then you had no right to mislead me.' 
 
 ' How were you misled, Miss Hazel ?' 
 
 ' I supposed, being somewhat simple-minded, that the reason 
 horse, pony and basket waggon did not appear, was that they 
 could not be found, sir. It shows how ignorant I am of the 
 world still, I must acknowledge.' 
 
 ' I have no opinion of ponies and basket waggons,' said her 
 guardian. ' And I do not know how well you can drive. And 
 you are too young, Miss Hazel, and too well, you are too 
 young, to be allowed to drive round the world by yourself. 
 When Cinderella, no, when Quickear, sets off to seek her 
 fortune, she goes fast enough in all nature without a pony.' 
 SB
 
 386 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 ' There are just two little faults in your statement, sir, con- 
 sidered as an answer. I never was fast' said Miss Hazel, 
 ' but trying to hoodwink me is not likely to make me slow,' 
 and she went off to don her habit and gather herself up for the 
 ride.
 
 CHAPTER XXXIX. 
 
 A COTTON MILL. 
 
 As she came to the side door, she saw Hollo just dismounting 
 from Jeannie Deans, and immediately preparing to remove his 
 saddle and substitute the side-saddle ; which he did with the 
 care used on a former occasion. But Jeannie had raised her 
 head and given a whinny of undoubted pleasure. 
 
 ' Let her go, Mr. Hollo,' whispered Lewis. 
 
 And so released, the little brown steed set off at once, walk- 
 . ing straight to the verandah steps, pausing there and looking 
 up to watch Hazel, renewing her greeting in lower tones, as if 
 this were private and confidential. Hazel ran down the steps, 
 made her fingers busy with bridle and mane, giving furtive 
 caresses. Only when she was mounted and Rollo had turned, 
 his ear caught the sound of one or two little soft whispers that 
 were meant for Jeannie's ears alone. 
 
 Perhaps the gentleman wanted to give "Wych Hazel's 
 thoughts a convenient diversion ; perhaps he wished to get 
 upon some safe common ground of interest and intercourse ; 
 perhaps he purposed to wear off any awkwardness that might 
 embarrass their mutual good understanding ; for he prefaced 
 the ride with a series of instructions in horsemanship. Mr. 
 Falkirk had never let his ward practise leaping ; Rollo knew 
 that ; but now, and with Mr. Falkirk looking on, he ordered 
 up the two grooms with a bar, and gave "VFych Hazel a lively 
 time for half an hour. A good solid riding lesson, too ; and 
 probably for that space of time at least attained all his ends. 
 But when he himself was mounted, and they had set off upon a 
 quiet descent of the Chickaree hill, out of sight of Mr. Falkirk, 
 all "Wych Hazel's shyness came back again ; biding itself 
 behind reserve. Rollo was in rather a gay mood. 
 
 887
 
 388 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 ' It is good practice,' he said. ' Did you ever go through a 
 cotton mill ?' 
 
 ' Never.' 
 
 ' How would you like to go through one to-day ?' 
 
 ' Why I do not know. Very well, I daresay.' 
 
 So with this slight and doubtful encouragement, Rollo again 
 took the way to Morton Hollow. It was early October now ; 
 the maples and hickories shewing red and yellow ; the air a 
 wonderful compound of spicy sweetness and strength ; the 
 heaven over their heads mottled with filmy stretches of cloud 
 which seemed to float in the high ether quite at rest. A day 
 for all sorts of things ; good for exertion, and equally inviting 
 one to be still and think. 
 
 ' How happens it you have let Jeannie stand still so long ?' 
 Rollo asked presently. 
 
 ' I have not wanted to ride her, that is all.' 
 
 ' Would you like her better if she were your own ?' he said 
 quite gently, though with a keen eye directed at Wych Hazel's 
 face. 
 
 'No. Not now.' The 'now' slipped out by mistake, and 
 might mean either of two things. Rollo did not feel sure what 
 it meant. 
 
 ' Did you ever notice,' he said after a few minutes again, 
 ' how different the clouds of this season are from those of other 
 times of the year? Look at those high bands of vapour lying 
 along towards the south ; they seem absolutely poised and still. 
 Clouds in spring and summer are drifting, or flying, or dis- 
 persing, or gathering ; earnest and purposeful ; with work to 
 do, and hurrying to do it. Look at those yonder ; they are at 
 rest, as if all the work of the year were done up. I think they 
 say it is.' 
 
 The fair grave face was lifted, shewing uncertainly through 
 the light veil ; and she looked up intently at the sky, almost 
 wondering to herself if there ftcsdbeen clouds in the spring and 
 early summer. She hardly seemed to remember them. 
 
 'Is that what they say to you ?' she said dreamily. ' They 
 look to me as if they were just waiting, waiting to see where 
 the wind will rise.'
 
 A COTTON MILL. 389 
 
 4 But the wind does not rise in October. They will lie there, 
 on the blessed blue, half the day. It looks to me like the rest 
 after work.' 
 
 She glanced at him. 
 
 ' I do not know much about work,' she said. What I 
 suppose you would call work. It has not come into my hands.' 
 
 ' It has not come into mine,' said Rollo. ' But can there be 
 rest without work going before it ?' 
 
 4 Such stillness ?' she said, looking up at the white flecks 
 again. ' But according to that, we do not either of us know 
 rest.' 
 
 1 Well,' said he smiling, I do not Do you ?' 
 
 ' I used to think I did. What do you mean by rest, Mr. 
 Rollo?' 
 
 'Look at those lines of cloud. They tell. The repose of 
 satisfied exertion ; the happy looking back upon work done, 
 after the call for work is over.' 
 
 She looked up, and kept looking up ; but she did not speak. 
 Somehow the new combinations of these last weeks had made 
 her sober ; she did not get used to them. The little wayward 
 scraps of song had been silent, and the quick speeches did not 
 come. 
 
 ' But then,' Rollo went on again presently, ' then comes up 
 another question. What is work ? I mean, what is work for 
 such people as you and I ?' 
 
 ' I suppose,' said Hazel, ' whatever we find to do.' 
 
 ' I have not found anything. Have you ? Those clouds 
 somehow seem to speak reproach to me. May be that is their 
 business.' 
 
 ' I have not been looking,' said Hazel. ' You know I have 
 been shut up until this summer. But I should think you 
 might have found plenty, going among people as you do.' 
 
 4 What sort ?' 
 
 ' Different sorts, I suppose. At least if you are as good at 
 making work for yourself in some cases as you are in others,' 
 she said with a queer little recollective gleam in her face. 
 ' Did it never occur to you that you might set the world 
 Blraight, and persuade its orbit into being regular ?'
 
 390 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 4 No,' said Eollo carelessly, ' I never undertake more than I 
 can manage. Here is a good place for a run.' 
 
 They had come into the long level lane which led to Morton 
 Hollow ; and giving their horses the rein they swept through 
 the October air in a flight which scorned the ground. When 
 the banks of the lane began to grow higher and to close in 
 upon the narrowing roadway, which also became crooked and 
 irregular, they drew bridle again and returned to earth. 
 
 ' Don't you feel set straight now ?' said Hollo. 
 
 ' Thauk you no.' 
 
 ' I am afraid you will give me some work to do, yet,' said 
 he audaciously, and putting his hand out upon Wych Hazel's. 
 ' Do not carry quite so loose a rein. Jeannie is sure, I believe, 
 and you are fearless; but you should always let her know you 
 are there.' 
 
 4 Mr. Eollo ' said the girl hastily. Then she stopped. 
 
 'What?' said Kollo innocently, riding close alongside and 
 looking her hard in the face. ' I am here.' 
 
 ' Nothing.' 
 
 Then he changed his tone and said gently, ' What was it, 
 Miss Hazel?' 
 
 ' Something better unsaid.' 
 
 He was silent a minute, and went on gravely 
 
 ' You wanted to know why I interfered the other night, as I 
 did ; and I promised, I believe, to explain it to you when I had 
 an opportunity. I will, if you bid me; but I may do the 
 people injustice, and I would rather you took the view of an 
 unprejudiced person Mr. Falkirk, for instance. But if you 
 wish it, I will tell you myself.' 
 
 4 No,' she said ; ' I do not wish it.' 
 
 Rollo was quite as willing to let the matter drop ; and in a 
 few minutes more they were at the mill he had proposed to 
 visit. There they dismounted, the horses were sent on to the 
 bend in the valley, beyond the mills ; and presenting a pass, 
 Rollo and Wych Hazel were admitted into the building, where 
 strangers rarely came. One of the men in authority was known 
 to Mr. Rollo ; he presented himself now, and with much civility 
 ushered them through the works.
 
 A COTTON MILL. 391 
 
 They made a slow progress of it ; full of interest, because 
 full of intelligent appreciation. Perhaps, in the abstract, one 
 would not expect to find a gay young man of the world versed 
 in the intricacies of a cotton mill ; but however it were, Rollo 
 had studied the subject, and was now bent on making Wych 
 Hazel understand all the beautiful details of the machinery and 
 the curiosities of the manufacture. This was a new view of 
 him to his companion. He took endless pains to make her 
 familiar with the philosophy of the subject, as well as its 
 history. Patient and gentle, and evidently not in the least 
 thinking of himself, his grey eyes were ever searching in Wych 
 Hazel's face to see whether she comprehended and how she 
 enjoyed what he was giving her. As to the relations between 
 them, his manner all the while, as well as during the ride, was 
 very much what it had been before the disclosure made by Mrs. 
 Coles had sent "Wych Hazel off on a tangent of alienation from 
 him. Nothing could exceed the watch kept over her, or the 
 care taken of her ; and neither could make less demonstration. 
 There was also the same quiet assumption of her, which had 
 been in his manner for so long ; that also was never officiously 
 displayed, though never wanting when there was occasion. 
 And now, in the mill, all these went along with that courtier- 
 like deference of style, which paid her all the honour that 
 manner could ; yet was the deference of one very near and not 
 of one far off. 
 
 "Wych Hazel for her part shewed abundant power of interest 
 and of understanding, in their progress through the mill ; quick 
 to catch explanations, quick to see the beauty of some fine bit 
 of machinery ; but very quiet. Her eyes hardly ever rose to 
 the level of his ; her questions were a little more free to the 
 conductor than to him. Even her words and smiles to the 
 mill people seemed to wait for times when his back was turned, 
 as if she were shy of in any wise displaying herself before him. 
 
 Their progress through the mill was delayed further by Rollo's 
 interest in the operatives. A rather sad interest this had need 
 to be. The men, and the women, employed as hands in the 
 works, were lank and pale and haggard, or dark and coarse. 
 Their faces were reserved and gloomy ; eyes would not light
 
 392 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 op, even when spoken to ; and Rollo tried the expedient pretty 
 often. Yet the children were the worst. Little things, and 
 others older, but all worn-looking, sadly pale, very hopeless, 
 going back and forth at their work like so many parts of the 
 inexorable machinery. Here Rollo now and then got a smile, 
 that gleamed out as a rare thing in that atmosphere. On the 
 whole, the outer air seemed strange and sweet to the two when 
 they came out into it, and not more sweet than strange. 
 Where they had been, surely the beauty, and the freedom, and 
 the promise, of the pure oxygen and the blue heaven, were all 
 shut out and denied and forgotten. 
 
 ' There is work for somebody to do,' said Rollo thoughtfully, 
 when the mill door was shut behind them. 
 
 The girl looked up at him gravely, then away. 
 
 * Do all mill people look so ? ' she said. ' Or is it just Morton 
 Hollow ? ' 
 
 ' They do not all look so. At least I am told this is a very 
 uncommon case for this country. Yet no doubt there are 
 others, and it is not "just Morton Hollow." Suppose, for 
 the sake of argument, that all mill people look so ; what 
 deduction would you draw ? ' 
 
 ' "Well that I should like to have the mills,' said Wych 
 Hazel. 
 
 They walked slowly on through the Hollow. The place was 
 still and empty ; all the hands being in the mills ; the buzz 
 of machinery within, as they passed one, was almost the only 
 sound abroad. The cottages were forlorn-looking places, 
 set anywhere, without reference to the consideration whether 
 space for garden ground was to be had. No such thing as a 
 real garden could be seen. No flowers bloomed anywhere ; no 
 token of life's comfort or pleasure hung about the poor dwell- 
 ings. Poverty and dirt and barrenness ; those three facts 
 struck the visitor's eye and heart. A certain degree of neat- 
 ness and order indeed was enforced about the road and the 
 outeides of the houses ; nothing to give the feeling of the sweet 
 reality within. The only person they saw to speak to was a 
 woman sitting at an open door crying. It would not have 
 occurred to most people that she was one ' to speak to ; ' how-
 
 A COTTON MILL. 393 
 
 ever, Rollo stepped a little out of the road to open communica- 
 tion with her. His companion followed, but the words were 
 German. 
 
 ' What is the matter ? ' she asked, as they turned to go on 
 their way. 
 
 ' Do you remember the girl that came to Gyda's that day 
 you were there ? this is her mother. Triidchen, she says, has 
 been sick for two weeks ; very ill ; she has just begun to sit up ; 
 and her father has driven her to mill work again this morning. 
 The mother says she knows the girl will die.' 
 
 ' Driven her to work ! ' said Hazel. ' What for ? ' 
 
 ' Money. For her wages.' 
 
 4 What nonsense ! ' said Hazel, knitting her brows. ' Why, 
 I can pay that ! Tell her so, please, will you ? And tell her to 
 send Triidchen down to Chickaree for Mrs. Bywank and me to 
 cure her up. She will never get well here.' 
 
 Rollo gave a swift, bright look at his companion, and then 
 made three leaps up the bank to the cottage door. He came 
 down again smiling, but there was a suspicious veiling of his 
 sharp eyes. 
 
 ' She will cry no more to-day,' he remarked to Wych Hazel. 
 ' And now you have done some work.' 
 
 ' Have I ? ' with a half laugh. ' But instead of wanting to 
 rest, I feel like doing some more. So you have made a mistake 
 somewhere, Mr. Rollo.' 
 
 There came, as she spoke, a buzz of other voices, issuing 
 from another mill just before them ; voices trained in the 
 higher notes, and knowing little of the minor key. And forth 
 from the opening door came a gay knot of people, feathers 
 and flowers and colours, with a black coat here and there ; one 
 of which made a short way to Miss Kennedy's side. 
 
 'Where have you been?' said Captain Lancaster, after a 
 courteous recognition of Mr. Rollo. ' You have been driving 
 us all to despair.' 
 
 ' People that are driven to despair never go,' said Wych 
 Hazel ; ' so you are all safe.' 
 
 1 And you are all yourself. That is plain. Why were you not 
 at Fox Hill ? But you are coming to Valley Garden to-morrow ?'
 
 394 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 ' I think not. At least, I am sure not.' 
 
 ' Then to the ball at Crocus ? ' 
 
 'No.' 
 
 'My dear Hazel!' and 'My dear Miss Kennedy!' now 
 sounded from so many female voices in different keys of sur- 
 prise and triumph, that for a minute or two the hum was 
 indistinguishable. Questions came on the heels of one another 
 incongruously. Then as the gentlemen fell together in a knot 
 to discuss their horses, the tongues of the women had a little 
 more liberty than was good for them. 
 
 ' You have been riding, Hazel ; where are your horses ? ' 
 
 ' Where have you been ? ' 
 
 ' 0, you've been going over a mill ! A cotton mill ? Horrid ! 
 What is the fun of a cotton mill? what did you go there for ? ' 
 
 ' What sort of a mill have you been over ? ' said Hazel. 
 
 ' 0, the silk mill. Such lovely colours, and cunning little 
 silk winders, it's so funny ! But where have you been all this 
 age, Hazel? you have been nowhere.' 
 
 ' I know what has happened,' said Josephine Powder, look- 
 ing half vexed and half curious, ' you needn't tell me any- 
 thing. When a lady sees almost nobody and goes riding with 
 the rest, we know what that means. It's transparent.' 
 
 ' I wouldn't conclude upon it, Hazel,' said another lady. 
 ' A man that had got a habit of command by being one's 
 guardian, you know, wouldn't leave it off easy. Would he, 
 Mrs. Powder?' 
 
 'Are we to congratulate you, my dear?' asked the ex- 
 Governor's lady, with a civil smile, and an eye to the answer. 
 
 ' Really, ma'am, I see no present occasion ! ' said Hazel, with 
 more truth than coolness. 
 
 ' She sees no occasion ! ' cried Josephine. ' Well, I shouldn't 
 either, in her place.' (Which was a clear statement that grapes 
 were sour.) 'Poor child! Are you chained up "for good," 
 Hazel?' 
 
 ' Hush, Josephine ! ' said her mother, who was a well-bred 
 woman ; such women can have such daughters now-a-days. 
 And she went on to invite Hazel to join a party that were 
 going in the afternoon to visit a famous look-out height, called
 
 A COTTON MILL. 395 
 
 Beacon Hill. She begged Hazel to come for luncheon, and the 
 excursion afterward. 
 
 ' Do say yes, please ! ' said Captain Lancaster, turning from 
 the other group. ' You have said nothing but no, for the last 
 month.' 
 
 'Well, if being a negative means that one is not also a 
 positive ' Hazel began. 
 
 'And then, Oh Miss Kennedy,' broke in Molly Seaton, 
 * there's this new Englishman ! ' 
 
 ' A new Englishman 1 ' 
 
 ' Yes,' said Molly, unconscious why the rest laughed ; ' and 
 he's seen you at church. And he has vowed he will not go 
 home till he has seen you in the German.' 
 
 ' Has he ? ' said Hazel. ' I hope he likes America.' 
 
 They gathered round her at that, in a breeze of laughter and 
 entreaty, till her shy gravity gave way, and Mr. Rollo's ears 
 were saluted by such a musical laugh as he had not heard for 
 many a day. 
 
 ' He'll be here presently,' said Molly. ' He's up in the 
 mill with Kitty Fisher. So you can ask him yourself, Miss 
 Kennedy.' 
 
 Eollo heard, and purposely held himself a little back, and 
 continued a conversation he did not attend to ; he would not 
 be more of a spoil-sport than he could help. 
 
 ' You'll come, won't you, Hazel ? ' said Josephine. ' I will 
 be very good if you will come.' 
 
 Hazel balanced probabilities for one swift second. 
 
 ' That is too large a promise, Phinny I would not make 
 it. But I will come, thank you, Mrs. Powder. Only not to 
 luncheon. I will drive over this afternoon, and meet you at 
 the hill.' 
 
 ' Why, here is our dear Duchess 1 ' cried Kitty Fisher, rushing 
 up. ' And where is the ahem ! Mr. Rollo, I am delighted to 
 see you. Miss Kennedy, allow me to present Sir Henry Crafton.' 
 
 Wych Hazel bowed, and turning towards Mr. Rollo, remarked 
 that if she was to come back, she must go. Rollo was also 
 invited to Beacon Hill, but excused himself ; and he and Wych 
 Hazel left the others, to go forward to find their horses.
 
 396 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 On the ride home he made himself particularly pleasant ; 
 talking about matters which he contrived to present in very 
 entertaining fashion ; ignoring the people and the insinuations 
 they had left behind them in the Hollow, and drawing Wych 
 Hazel, so far as he could, into a free meeting of him on neutral 
 ground. They had another run through the lane ; a good trot 
 over the highway; and when they had entered the gate of 
 Chickaree and were slowly mounting the hill, he spoke in 
 another tone. 
 
 ' Miss Hazel, don't you think you have done enough for to- 
 day?' 
 
 ' Made a good beginning.' 
 
 * Twenty-four miles on horseback and a cotton mill ! That 
 is enough for one day, isn't it, for you ? ' 
 
 ' Twenty-four, is it ? ' she said carelessly. ' Call it four, and 
 my feeling will not contradict you.' 
 
 ' Very well. I want your feeling to remain in the same 
 healthy condition.' 
 
 ' It always does.' 
 
 ' Beacon Hill will not run away. Leave that for another 
 time. It is a good day's work for you, that alone. Suppose 
 we go there to-morrow?' said Rollo coolly, looking at his 
 companion. 
 
 4 Well if I like it well enough to-day.' 
 
 Dane was silent, probably feeling that his duty as Miss 
 Kennedy's guardian was in the way of doing him very frequent 
 disservice. However, he was not a man to be swayed by that 
 consideration. He came close alongside of Jeannie Deans and 
 looked hard in Wych Hazel's face as he spoke. 
 
 ' Do you think Mr. Falkirk would be willing to have you go 
 to-day ? ' 
 
 ' Why, of course ! ' 
 
 ' I think he would not. And I think he ought not.' 
 
 'Mr. Falkirk never interferes with my strength or my 
 fatigue ! ' 
 
 ' I shall not ask him. I take the matter on my own respon- 
 sibility.' 
 
 She had thrown her veil back for a minute, and leaving the
 
 A COTTON MILL. 397 
 
 bridle on Jeannie's neck, both little hands were busy with some 
 wind-disturbed rings of hair. She put them down now and 
 looked round at him, a look of great beauty ; the girlish ques- 
 tioning eyes too busy with him, for the moment, to be afraid. 
 Could he mean that? was he really trying to head her off in 
 every direction? 
 
 ' Are you in earnest ? ' she said slowly. 
 
 His eyes went very deep into hers when they got the chance, 
 carrying their own message too. He answered with a half 
 smile, 
 
 ' Thorough earnest.' 
 
 She drew back instantly, eyes and all ; letting fall her veil 
 and taking up her bridle. Except so^ and by the sudden 
 colour, giving no reply. She was learning her lesson fast, she 
 thought, a little bitterly. Nevertheless, if people knew the 
 exquisite grace there can be in submission, whether to authority 
 or to circumstances, it may be they would practise it oftener. 
 
 Not another word said Rollo. What was the use? She 
 would understand him some day ; or she would not ! in any 
 case, words would not make it clear. Only when he took her 
 down from her horse he asked, and that was with a smile too, 
 and a good inquisition of the grey eyes, ' if he should come to 
 take her to Beacon Hill to-morrow ? ' 
 
 No,' she said quietly, ' I think not.' 
 
 ' When will you have another riding lesson ? * 
 
 ' I do not know,' she said, with a tone that left the matter 
 very doubtful. 
 
 ' Well,' said he, ' you may go to Beacon Hill without me. 
 But you must not try leaping. Remember that.' 
 
 He did not go in. He remounted and rode away.
 
 CHAPTER XL. 
 
 SOMETHING NEW. 
 
 So Jeannie Deans went back into the stable, and carried her 
 light burden no more for some time. But Hazel did not go to 
 Beacon Hill in any fashion nor on any day ; and it is to be 
 hoped Jeannie Deans was less restless than she. 
 
 ' Miss Wych my dear ! ' said Mrs. Bywank in remonstrance ; 
 ' if you cannot sit still, why don't you go out? You are just 
 wearing yourself pale in the house ; and why, I do not see.' 
 
 'Nobody sees ' said the girl with a long breath. 'My 
 wings are clipped, Byo, that is all.' 
 
 ' My dear ! ' Mrs. Bywank said again. ' I think you shouldn't 
 talk so, Miss Wych.' 
 
 ' Very likely not,' said Hazel. ' But if ever I am a real run- 
 away, Byo, it will be for the sake of choosing my own ruler. 
 So you can remember.' 
 
 ' Miss Wych ' Mrs. Bywank began, gravely. Hazel came 
 and flung herself down on the floor, and laid her head on the 
 old housekeeper's lap. 
 
 ' 0, 1 know ! ' she said. ' Why did they ever call me so, Byo ? 
 I think it hangs over me like a fate. Could they find no other 
 name for their little brown baby but that ? I can no more 
 help being a witch, than I can help breathing.' 
 
 The old housekeeper stroked the young head tenderly, softly 
 parting and smoothing down the hair. 
 
 ' They liked the name, my dear,' she said. ' And so would 
 you, if you could remember the tone in which Mrs. Kennedy 
 used to say : " My Wych ! " " My little Wych 1 " ' 
 
 Hazel sprang away as if the "words had been a flight of 
 arrows.
 
 SOMETHING NEW. 399 
 
 And so the fall went on ; and since Miss Kennedy would 
 stay at home, perforce the world must come to see her there ; 
 and the old house at least sounded gay enough. And then 
 society began slowly to steal away to winter quarters. The 
 two young officers went back to their posts, without even a 
 hope (it was said) that might make them ever return again to 
 the neighbourhood of Chickaree. And Mr. May sailed for 
 Europe, having a gentle dismissal from the little hands for 
 which he cared so much ; aiid the Powders departed to ex- 
 official duties; and Mme. Lasalle to town. The leaves fell, 
 having done their sweet summer duty far better than these 
 rational creatures ; and then Wych Hazel took to long early 
 and late walks by herself, threading the leafless woods, and 
 keeping out of roads and choosing by-paths ; wandering and 
 thinking both more than was good for her ; and enjoying 
 just one thing, the being alone. 
 
 Rollo all this while had kept the promise he made when he 
 told her that he would see her and meant she should see him. 
 He came very frequently ; he rode with her if she would ride, 
 and talked with her when she would talk ; or he talked to Mr. 
 Falkirk in her hearing. He sometimes gave her riding lessons. 
 Whatever her mood, he was just himself ; free, pleasant and 
 watchful of her ; sometimes a little Spanish in his treatment 
 of her. Her clouds did not seem to put him in shadow. And 
 she woul^d not always refuse a lesson, or a ride, or a talk, it 
 was not in her nature to be ungraceful or rough in any way ; 
 only it could not be said that she took pleasure in them, as a 
 certain thing. They broke up the intolerable loneliness of her 
 life just then, but otherwise were not always a success. Con- 
 stantly now expecting to be drawn back, or ordered back, as 
 she phrased it ; expecting forbidden things at every turn ; she 
 did not want to be alone with Mr. Rollo, ner to go with other 
 people where he might come. In fact, she did not quite 
 understand herself ; and she grew more and more restless and 
 eager to get away. 
 
 ' Why should we not go on Monday ? ' she asked Mr. Falkirk. 
 
 'Go?' echoed her guardian. ' Are we to take up our travels 
 again, my dear ? '
 
 400 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 ' Did you suppose yourself settled for the winter, sir ? I 
 expect to go to town, like other people.' 
 
 ' What are we to do when we get there ? ' 
 
 'Keep house, sir. You can take one-half the bricks, and 
 I the other. Or any proportions that may suit your views,' 
 said Miss Hazel compliantly. 
 
 Now Mr. Falkirk did not, it is true, understand the course 
 things had taken for the last few weeks ; he was only a man ; 
 and though Wych Hazel's guardian for many years might be 
 supposed to hold a clue to her moods, this was what Mr. Falkirk 
 failed to do in the present instance. But using his wits as well as 
 he was able, he had come to the conclusion, not without some 
 secret gratification, that Miss Hazel preferred the society of her 
 old guardian to that of her new one. Certainly he was in no 
 mind to cross her wish to go to the city, if she had such a wish. 
 However, mindful of his duty, he mentioned her desire to Rollo, 
 and asked if he had any objection to it. Rollo was silent a 
 minute, and then gave a frank ' No.' And Mr. Falkirk wrote 
 to make arrangements, and even went himself to perfect them. 
 And he lost no time ; by the end of October the change was 
 made, and Wych Hazel established in a snug little house in one 
 of the best streets on Murray Hill. 
 
 If Mr. Falkirk was misled before, hia mind was not likely 
 to clear up as the weeks went on. Whatever had come 
 over his ward, she was unmistakeably changed from her old 
 self ; as now, living in the house with her again, Mr. Falkirk 
 could not fail to perceive. Quiet steps, a gentle voice that 
 quite ignored its old bursts of singing ; brown eyes that looked 
 softly through things and people at something else; with a 
 mood docile because it did not care *; but that he did not know. 
 Apparently she had not come to town for stir, her going out 
 was of the quietest kind. Sometimes a specially fine concert 
 would tempt her ; once in a while she made one of her radiant 
 toilettes and went to a state dinner party, now and then to a 
 lunch or a kettle-drum ; but balls and evening parties of every 
 sort were invariably declined. Instead, she plunged into study, 
 went at German as if her life depended on it, took up her 
 Italian again, and began to perfect herself in French. Read
 
 SOMETHING NEW. 401 
 
 history, knit her brows over science, and sat and drew by the 
 hour. 
 
 Of course society could not quite be baffled so: mornings 
 brought carriage after carriage, and evenings a run upon the 
 door. Mr. Falkirk had little peace of his life, unless it were a 
 reposeful thing for him to sit by and see the play. 
 
 Between whiles this winter. Hazel did a great deal of think- 
 ing : even German could not crowd it out. She knew, the 
 minute she had said she would come to town, that she wished 
 something could step in and keep her at Chickaree ; or at least 
 she knew that she was leaving more there than she had counted 
 upon ; and the knowledge chafed her. It was all very well to 
 like somebody (name of course unknown) to a certain 
 degree ; but when the liking made itself into bonds and ties 
 and hindrances, then Miss Wych rebelled. She brought up 
 all sorts of questions in the most unattractive shape, to find 
 them suited with answers that would find no reply. It was 
 simply unbearable, she urged upon herself, this being held in 
 and watched and restricted, very unbearable ! Only, some- 
 how, the person who did it all, was not. And the doubt 
 whether life would be worth having, in such guardianship, 
 started a more difficult point : what would it be worth with- 
 out ? And the mental efforts to shake herself into clear order, 
 just seemed, as sometimes happens, to tie three knots where 
 there was one before. 
 
 ' It will go after a while,' she said, twisting herself about 
 under the new form of loneliness and unrest which possessed 
 her when she got to town. And it did : deeper in. 
 
 Mr. Falkirk, blind bat that he was (for a sharp-sighted man), 
 was not discontented with hia winter. He had Wych Hazel to 
 himself, and she gave him no more trouble than he liked by 
 the force of old associations. He watched the play in which 
 she was so prominent and so pretty a figure, and found it 
 amusing. It seemed safe play, so far ; the fort that he was 
 set to keep seemed quite secure from any attacks that presently 
 threatened ; and Mr. Falkirk had no suspicion that its safety 
 was owing to a garrison within the walls. The outeide he 
 knew he watched well. It was a very quiet winter, indeed, 
 2 c
 
 402 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 except at such times as Miss Kennedy's doors were open to all 
 comers ; but Mr. Falkirk did not find fault with that. He had 
 never been garrulous, in his ward's company or in any other. 
 Certainly he liked to hear her talk ; and he knew that she 
 talked far less than usual, when they were alone ; but he 
 argued with himself that Wych Hazel was growing older, was 
 seriously engaging herself in study, after other than a school- 
 girl's fashion ; and that all this winter's development was but 
 the sweet maturing of the fruit which in growing mature was 
 losing somewhat of its liveliness of flavour. 
 
 They were alone one evening, rather past the middle of the 
 winter. It was not one of Miss Kennedy's at-home nights; 
 and in a snug little drawing-room the two were seated on 
 opposite sides of the tea service. A fire of soft coal burning 
 luxuriously ; thick curtains drawn ; warm-coloured paper 
 hangings on the walls ; silver bright in the gaslight, and Sir. 
 Falkirk's evening papers ready at his hand. To-night Mr. 
 Falkirk rather neglected them, and seemed to be in a medita- 
 tive mood. 
 
 ' Whereabouts are we in pursuit of our fortune, Miss Hazel ?' 
 he asked as he tasted his cup of hot tea. 
 
 ' Bather deep down in Schiller and Dante, sir.' 
 
 ' 11 Paradisof asked Mr. Falkirk meaningly. 
 
 'Pray do you call that "deep down"?' demanded Miss 
 Hazel. 
 
 ' I am merely inquiring where you are, my dear. I have 
 heard of people's being over head and ears.' 
 
 'Only hearsay evidence, sir?' said Miss Hazel recklessly. 
 But then she was not going to stand up and be shot at ! 
 
 ' I should like to know, merely as a satisfaction to my own 
 mind, whether the quest is ended, Miss Hazel ? Has Cinder- 
 ella's glass slipper been fitted on? or has Quickear seized the 
 singing bird and the golden water ? ' 
 
 ' Princes are scarce 1' said the girl derisively, but not with- 
 out a rising blush. 
 
 'The true one not found yet, my dear?' said Mr. Falkirk 
 with an amused glance across the table. ' What is to be our 
 next move in search of him ?'
 
 " It was not one of Miss Kennedy's at-home nights ; and in a snug little 
 drawing-room the two were seated on opposite sides of the tea service.
 
 SOMETHING NEW. 403 
 
 1 That is one way of putting it,' said Wych Hazel. ' I 
 should think, sir, you had taken lessons of your devotee, Miss 
 Fisher.' 
 
 'I am glad you don't,' said Mr. Falkirk earnestly. 'Miss 
 Hazel, I should prefer that when such princesses are in the 
 parlour, Cinderella should keep to her kitchen. It is the court 
 end in such a case.' 
 
 Kitty Fisher's name brought up visions. Hazel was silent. 
 
 'Do you ever hear from Chickaree?' her guardian asked 
 presently. 
 
 'No one to write, sir, but Mrs. Bywank, and she, you 
 know, is not a scribe. I understand that the kitten is well.' 
 
 ' That is important,' said Mr. Falkirk. ' She hasn't told you 
 lately anything about your friend JRollo ?' 
 
 4 No, sir. Have you given up your share in his friendship?' 
 inquired Miss HazeL 
 
 Mr. Falkirk made no answer to this query, and seemed to 
 have forgotten it presently in his musings. Hazel glanced at 
 him furtively, choosing her form of attack ; for Mr. Falkirk's 
 manner seemed to say that he had heard. 
 
 ' You always played into each other's hands so delightfully, 
 sir,' she began, with a very degage air, ' it is of course natural 
 that he should keep you posted as to his own important pro- 
 ceedings. And a little ungrateful in you, Mr. Falkirk, I must 
 say, to fling him off in this fashion.' 
 
 ' I've nothing on my conscience respecting him,' said Mr. 
 Falkirk, eating his toast with a contented air. ' I'm not his 
 guardian, nor ever was.' 
 
 'What a pity!' said Wych Hazel. 'Both of us together 
 might have made your life more lively than my unassisted 
 efforts could do.' 
 
 Mr. Falkirk grunted, and went on with hia tea ; and sent 
 his cup to be refilled. 
 
 Hazel pondered. 
 
 ' You seem depressed, Mr. Falkirk,' she said. ' Shall I give 
 you an additional lump of sugar?' 
 
 Now Mr. Falkirk in truth seemed anything but depressed ; 
 and he raised his head to look at hia questioner.
 
 404 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 ' I am quite satisfied with things as they are, Miss Hazel.' 
 
 ' Are you, sir ? I am delighted ! ' said Hazel. ' But I never 
 even supposed such a thing possible. How are " things "if I 
 may be allowed to inquire ? ' 
 
 ' Some things are new,' returned her guardian. ' And I 
 should not be satisfied with them, if they concerned me. 
 Which I take for granted they do not. I saw Dr. Arthur down 
 town to-day } and he told me some odd news about Rollo.' 
 Mr. Falkirk was finishing his tea in a leisurely way, evidently 
 not thinking that the news, whatever it was, concerned either 
 of them seriously. 
 
 ' Why did you not bring Dr. Arthur home to tea ?' inquired 
 his ward. 
 
 ' I did not think of it, Miss HazeL But he volunteered a 
 visit in the course of the evening.' 
 
 ' That will be delightful, I like Dr. Arthur,' said Hazel, 
 feeling that somehow or other she must get a glimpse of his 
 news before he came. 
 
 ' Well, if what he said gave you so much pleasure, why don't 
 you repeat it to me, Mr. Falkirk?' she ventured. 
 
 ' I do not remember that I said anything gave me pleasure,' 
 returned her guardian. ' This don't. By what he says, Rollo 
 has lost his wits. I thought him a shrewd man of business ; 
 and he was that, when your affairs were in his hand last 
 summer ; but if what Dr. Arthur tells me is true, and it 
 must be, he has done a very strange thing with his own 
 fortune.' 
 
 'Dear me! I hope he did not hurt himself looking after 
 mine !' said Wych Hazel innocently. 'Are fortune and wits 
 both in peril, Mr. Falkirk ?' 
 
 ' Not yours, I hope,' said her guardian. ' I should be very 
 uneasy if I thought that. / should have no power to interfere. 
 The will gives him absolute control, supposing that he had 
 control at all.' 
 
 Perhaps it was just as well that at this moment Dr. Arthur 
 was announced. Alas, not only Dr. Arthur, but Mrs. Coles ! 
 And Hazel, giving greetings to one and welcome to the other ; 
 insisting that they should come to the tea table, late as it was ;
 
 SOMETHING NEW. 405 
 
 went on all the while looking after her own wits and picking 
 up her energies with all speed. She had need ; for the harm- 
 less-seeming eyes of Mrs. Coles were always awake to her 
 neighbours' interests. Very graciously now they watched 
 Wych Hazel. 
 
 There was a great deal to talk about, in Miss Kennedy's 
 house and winter and engagements; and in Dr. Maryland's 
 home, and Primrose, and her school. An endless succession 
 of points of talk, that ought to have been very interesting, to 
 judge by the spirit with which they were discussed. All the 
 while, "Wych Hazel was watching for something else ; and 
 Prudentia, was she keeping the best for the last? She was 
 extremely affable ; she enjoyed her tea ; she took off her bonnet 
 and displayed the pale bandeaux of hair which were inevitably 
 associated in Miss Kennedy's mind with one particular day 
 and conversation ; she admired the furniture ; she discoursed 
 on the advantages of city life. Dr. Maryland was, perforce, 
 rather silent. 
 
 ' Well, Arthur dear,' she said at last, taking her bonnet, ' we 
 must be going presently. What do you think of Dane, Mr. 
 Falkirk?' 
 
 Mr. Falkirk did not answer intelligibly, though the lady's 
 face was turned full upon him ; he uttered an inexplicable sort 
 of grunt, and knotted his eyebrows. He didn't like Prudentia. 
 
 ' I never saw anybody so changed in all my life,' pursued 
 the lady. ' Such sudden changes are doubtful things, I always 
 think ; come probably from some sudden cause, and may not 
 last. But it is very surprising while it does last.' 
 
 'I am sorry to contradict you, Prudens,' said Dr. Arthur 
 here ; ' but Dane was never more himself. He only happens 
 to stand facing due north instead of north by east.' 
 
 ' He was " north " enough before,' said his sister, a little, 
 just a little bitterly ; ' a trifle more of southern direction 
 wouldn't have hurt him. But / think, he's out of his head. 
 Men are, sometimes, you know,' she went on, looking full at 
 Wych Hazel now. * I shall let Miss Kennedy be judge. Do 
 you know what Dane has been doing, Miss Kennedy ? ' 
 
 'Not waltzing?' said Hazel, opening her brown eyes withau
 
 406 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 expression of icild dismay which was very nearly too much for 
 Dr. Arthur. 
 
 4 Waltzing ? ' said Prudentia, mystified. ' I did not say any- 
 thing about waltzing. Why shouldn't he waltz ? I think he 
 used. Why yes ; he was a famous waltzer. Don't you waltz, 
 Miss Kennedy?' 
 
 ' But I was always known to be out of my head,' said Hazel. 
 4 In what other possible way could Mr. Rollo shew the state of 
 his?' 
 
 ' I don't know what you mean,' said Prudentia, handling her 
 bonnet. 'Then you haven't heard my story already. You 
 know that old Mr. Morton has failed ; did you hear of that ? ' 
 
 'Not the first time, is it?' said Miss Kennedy coolly. Dr. 
 Arthur bit his lips. 
 
 ' Yes, my dear ! it's the first and only time ; he was always 
 supposed to be a very rich man. Well, Dane has taken his 
 fortune and thrown it into those mills !' 
 
 ' I was afraid you were going to say the mill stream,' said 
 Wych Hazel, who was getting so nervous she didn't know what 
 to do with herself ; ' but the mills seem a safe place.' 
 
 4 I don't know but he'd better done that of the two,' said 
 Prudentia. ' A safe place ? Why, my dear, just think ! he 
 has bought all Mr. Morton's right and title there ; with Mr. 
 Morton's four mills. Of course, it must have taken very 
 nearly his whole fortune ; it must. 1 
 
 ' I fancy there's a trifle left over,' said Mr. Falkirk. ' But I 
 can't conceive what possessed him. What does Hollo know 
 of the mill business ? ' 
 
 ' Nothing at all, of course,' said Prudentia. ' Nor of any 
 other business. And he has shewed his ignorance did Arthur 
 tell you, sir, how he has shewed it ? ' 
 
 4 In buying four mills to begin with,' said Mr. Falkirk. ' A 
 modest man would have begun with one.' 
 
 ' But my dear sir, that isn't all. What do you suppose, Miss 
 Kennedy, was his first move?' 
 
 ' One is prepared for almost anything.' 
 
 4 He will learn the business, before long,' said Dr. Arthur, 
 4 if close attention can do it.'
 
 SOMETHING NEW. 407 
 
 'What should he learn the business for?' said his sister. 
 ' He has already all that the mill business could give him, 
 without any trouble. / think he's troubled in his wita ; I do 
 indeed. He was always a wild boy, and now he's a wilder 
 man.' 
 
 'Troubled in his wits!' said Dr. Arthur, with such supreme 
 derision, that Wych Hazel laughed. To her own great relief, 
 be it said. 
 
 ' But what is this that he has done?' Mr. Falkirk inquired, 
 his brows looking very much disgusted. 
 
 ' My dear sir ! Fancy it. Fancy it, Miss Kennedy. The 
 first thing he did was to raise the wages of his hands!' 
 
 Just one person caught the gleam from under Hazel's down- 
 cast eyes, perhaps something made his own quick-sighted. 
 Dr. Arthur answered for her. 
 
 ' They were not half paid before, Mr. Falkirk. That explains 
 it.' 
 
 ' Weren't they paid as other mill hands are paid, Dr. 
 Arthur?' 
 
 ' The more need for a change, then,' said the young man, 
 who was a trifle Quixotic himself. 
 
 ' But if the change is made by one man alone, he effects 
 nothing but his own ruin.' 
 
 'That is what Dane is abtfut, I am firmly persuaded,' said 
 Mrs. Coles. 
 
 ' No man ever yet went to ruin by doing right,' said Dr. 
 Maryland. 
 
 'Many a one!' said Mr. Falkirk, 'by doing what he 
 thought right ; from John Brown up to John Huss, and from 
 John Huss back to the time when history is lost in a fog bank.' 
 
 ' They'll get their reward, I suppose, in the other world,' said 
 Prudentia comfortably. 
 
 ' How will his ruin affect the poor mill people ? ' said Wych 
 Hazel, so seriously, that perhaps only Mr. Falkirk knowing 
 her knew what she was about. 
 
 'Why, my dear, it ruins them too in the end; that's it. 
 When he fails, of course his improvements fail, and everything 
 goes back where it was before. Only worse.'
 
 408 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 ' Precisely,' said Mr. Falkirk. ' You cannot lift the world 
 out of the grooves it runs in, by mere force ; and be who tries, 
 will put his shoulder out of joint.' 
 
 ' Then my picture of u the loss of all things," is the portrait 
 of a ruined man!' said Wych Hazel, with an expressive glance 
 at Dr. Maryland. He smiled. 
 
 ' It partly depends, you know, Miss Kennedy, upon where 
 the race is supposed to end. But our friend is running well at 
 present, for both worlds.' 
 
 ' Arthur, he is not ! ' said his sister emphatically. "Paul and 
 John Charteris, the other mill-owners, hate him as hard as they 
 can hate him ; and if they can ruin him, they will ; that you 
 may depend upon.' 
 
 ' And his own people love him as hard as they can, so that, 
 even if you allow one rich mill-owner to be worth a hundred 
 poor employes, Dane can still strike a fair balance.' Rather 
 more than that, Dr. Arthur thought, as his quick eyes took 
 notice of the little screening hand that came suddenly up about 
 Wych Hazel's mouth and chin. 
 
 ' That's ail nonsense, Arthur ; business is business, and not 
 sentiment. I never heard of a cotton mill yet that was run 
 upon sentiment ; nor did you. And I tell you, it won't pay. 
 I am speaking of business as business. Paul and John 
 Charteris will ruin Dane, if they can.' 
 
 ' They probably can,' said Mr. Falkirk. ' They will make a 
 combination with other mill-owners and undersell him ; and 
 paying less wages they can afford to do it, for a time. And a 
 certain time will settle Rollo's business.' 
 
 'I think he has lost his wits,' Prudentia repeated, for the 
 tliird or fourth utterance. ' Then another thing he has done 
 But really, Arthur, my dear, we must go.' 
 
 ' tell us some more ! ' said Miss Kennedy. ' We have not 
 heard of any wits lost in this way, all winter ; and it is quite 
 exciting. What next, Mrs. Coles ? ' 
 
 Prudentia laughed. 
 
 4 How comes it he don't tell you himself ? I thought you 
 used to be such friends riding about everywhere. But indeed 
 we don't see much of Dane now ; he lives at his old nurse's
 
 SOMETHING NEW. 409 
 
 ever so much of the time ; and comes scouring over the country 
 on that bay horse of his, to consult papa about something ; 
 but / never see him, except through the window. Sometimes 
 he rides your brown horse, I think, Miss Kennedy. I suppose 
 he is keeping it in order for you.' 
 
 'Well, that certainly does sound erratic !' said Miss Kennedy, 
 drawing a long breath. ' I hope he will confine all new-fangled 
 notions to the bay.' 
 
 ' He has taught that creature to stand still,' said Mrs. Coles, 
 looking at her. 
 
 ' That must afford him immense satisfaction ! Rather hard 
 upon the bay, though.' 
 
 'He stands as still as a mountain,' Prudentia went on, 
 carrying on meanwhile privately a mental speculation about 
 "Wych Hazel ; ' he stands like a glossy statue, without being 
 held, too ; and comes when Dane snaps his fingers to him.' 
 
 'It only shews what unexpected docility exists in some 
 natures,' said Miss Kennedy with an unreadable face. 
 
 * Come, Prudens tell your story and have done ! ' said Dr. 
 Arthur, speaking now. ' I have an appointment.' 
 
 ' I am quite ready,' said Mrs. Coles starting up. ' Dear me ! 
 we have stayed an unconscionable time, but Miss Kennedy will 
 forgive us, being country people and going back to the country 
 to-morrow. Prim says Dane is coming down before long.' 
 
 * Tell your story ! ' 
 
 ' Miss Kennedy won't care for it, and it will ruin Dane with 
 Mr. Falkirk. He has introduced something like English penny 
 readings at Morton Hollow,' said Prudentia, putting on her 
 bonnet and turning towards Wych Hazel's guardian. 
 
 ' What are penny readings? ' said Mr. Falkirk. 
 
 * They had their origin in England, I believe ; somebody set 
 them on foot for the benefit of the poorer classes, or work 
 people; and Dane has imported them. He receives the 
 employe's of the mills,' said Prudentia, chuckling, ' whoever 
 will come and pay a penny ; his own workmen and the others. 
 The levee is held on Saturday nights ; and Dane lays himself 
 out to amuse them with reading to them and singing Fancy 
 it 1 Fancy Dane reading all sorts of things to those audiences J
 
 410 WYCH HAZKL. 
 
 aud the evenings are so interesting, I am told, that they do 
 not disperse till eleven o'clock. I believe he has it in con- 
 templation to add the more material refreshment of sandwiches 
 and coffee as soon a8 he gets his arrangements perfected. And 
 he is going to build, as soon as the spring opens 0, I don't 
 know what 1 ' 
 
 ' Fools build houses, and other people live in them,' said Mr. 
 Falkirk. 
 
 ' 0, it's not houses to live in though I have a notion he is 
 going to do that too. He lives with old Gyda pretty much of 
 the time.' 
 
 ' "Well,' said Dr. Arthur, looking at Mr. Falkirk but speaking 
 to Wych Hazel, ' I need only add, that my father thoroughly 
 approves of all Rollo's work.' 
 
 ' Work ? does he call it " work " ? ' said Wych Hazel, look- 
 ing up. 
 
 ' It is not exactly play, Miss Kennedy 1' 
 
 But the soft laugh that answered that, no one could define. 
 
 ' He won't find it play by and by,' said Mr. Falkirk.
 
 CHAPTER XLI. 
 
 THIS visit and talk gave Hazel a great deal to ponder. The 
 work, and the doer of it ; and did he ever think of her, she 
 questioned, in the doing? And did he expect to make her 
 ' stand,' as he had the bay? and come, if he but 'snapped 
 his fingers'? On the whole, Miss Wych did not feel as if she 
 were developing any hidden stores of docility at present ! not 
 at present ; and one or two new questions, or old ones in a new 
 shape, began to fill her mind ; inserting themselves between 
 the leaves of her Schiller, peeping cunningly out from behind 
 ' reason ' and ' instinct ' and ' the wings of birds ;' dancing and 
 glimmering and hiding in the firelight. Mr. Falkirk might 
 have noticed, about this time, that Miss Wych was never ready 
 to have the gas lit. 
 
 The gas was lit, however, and the tea-tray just brought in, 
 when one evening a few nights after the visit last recorded, 
 Eollo himself was announced. Notwithstanding all Mrs. Coles 
 had prognosticated, he seemed very much like himself ; both in 
 face and manner ; he came in and talked and took his place at 
 the table, just as he had been used to do at Chickaree. Not 
 even more grave than he had often been there. 
 
 It was not the first time Wych Hazel had confessed to her- 
 self that tea-trays are a great institution ; nor the first time 
 she had found shelter behind her occupation. Very demurely 
 she poured out tea, and listened sedately to the talk between 
 the gentlemen ; but it was with extra gravity that she at last 
 put her fingers in. She never could guess afterwards how she 
 had dared. 
 
 'Do you think he looks much, like a ruined man, Mr. 
 Falkirk ? ' she said, in one of the pauses of their talk. 
 
 411
 
 412 WTCH HAZEL. 
 
 A flash of lightning quickness and brightness came to her 
 from Rollo's eyes. Mr. Falldrk lifted his dumbly, not knowing 
 how to take the girl He had not, so far in the talk, touched 
 the subject of Mrs. Coles' communications, though no doubt 
 they had not been out of his mind for one instant. But some- 
 how, Mr. Falkirk had lacked inclination to call his younger 
 coadjutor to account, and probably was hopeless of effecting 
 any supposable good by so doing. Now he stared wonder- 
 in gly up at Wych Hazel. She was looking straight at him, 
 awaiting an answer ; but fully alive to the situation, and a 
 little bit frightened thereat, and with the fun and the confusion 
 both getting into her face in an irresistible way. Mr. Falkirk's 
 face went down again with a grunt, or a growl ; it was rather 
 dubious in intent. Rollo's eyes did not waver from their in- 
 quisition of "Wych Hazel's face. It was getting to be hot 
 work ! Hazel touched her hand bell, and turned away to give 
 orders, and came back to her business ; sending Mr. Falkirk a 
 cup of tea that was simply scalding. Her bravery was done, 
 for that time. 
 
 ' What have yon been doing this winter ? ' Mr. Falkirk 
 finally concluded to ask. 
 
 ' Investing in new stock,' Rollo answered carelessly. 
 
 ' Don't pay, does it ? ' 
 
 ' I think it will. Money is worth what you can get out of it, 
 you know.' 
 
 ' Pray, if I may ask, what do you expect to get out of it, in 
 this way?' 
 
 ' Large returns ' said Rollo very calmly. 
 
 ' I don't see it,' said Mr. Falkirk. ' I hope you do ; but I 
 can't.' 
 
 ' You have not the elements to make a perfect calculation.' 
 
 Rollo, it was plain, understood himself, and was in no con- 
 fusion on the subject. Mr. Falkirk, either in uncertainty or in 
 disgust, declined to pursue it. He finished his tea, and then, 
 perhaps feeling that he had no right to keep watch over his 
 brother guardian, much to Wych Hazel's discomfiture, he took 
 up his book and marched away. 
 
 Rollo left the table and came round then to a seat by her side.
 
 A LESSON. 413 
 
 'What have you been doing this winter?' he asked, putting 
 the question with his eyes as well as with his words. 
 
 ' Making old stock pay 'said the girl, looking down at her 
 folded hands ; she was not of that calm sisterhood who hide 
 themselves in crochet. 
 
 * Perhaps you will be so good as to enlarge upon that.' 
 
 Hazel sent back the first answer that came to her tongue, 
 and the next : it was no part of her plan to have herself in the 
 foreground. 
 
 ' This is a fair average specimen of our tea-drinkings,' she 
 said. 'And the mornings are hardly more eventful. Just 
 lately, Mr. Falkirk has been a good deal disturbed about you. 
 Or else he was easy about you, and disturbed about your doings, 
 he has such a confused way of putting things. But we heard 
 you had copied my " hurricane track," ' said Miss Wych, folding 
 her hands in a new position. 
 
 ' And were you disturbed about my doings ?' 
 
 ' I ? no. I am never disturbed with what you do to any- 
 body but me.' 
 
 Rollo did not choose to pursue that subject. He plunged 
 into another. 
 
 ' I should like to explain to you some of my doings ; and I 
 must go a roundabout way to do it Miss Hazel, do you read 
 the Bible much ?' 
 
 ' Much ?' she said with a sudden look up. ' What do you 
 call " much" ? ' 
 
 He smiled at her. ' Are you in the habit of studying it ?' 
 
 ' As I study other things I do not know ? Not often. Some- 
 times,' said Wych Hazel, thinking how often she had gone over 
 that same ninety-first Psalm. 
 
 ' What is your notion of religion ? as to what it means ?' 
 
 She glanced up at him again, almost wondering for a moment 
 if his wits were 'touched.' Then, seeing his eyes were un- 
 doubtedly sane and grave, set her own wits to work. 
 
 'It means,' she answered slowly after a pause, 'to me, 
 different things in different people. All sorts of contradictions, 
 I believe ! In mamma, as they tell of her, it meant everything 
 beautiful, and loving, and loveable, and tender. And it pula
 
 414 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 Dr. Maryland away off up in the sky, I think. And it just 
 blinds Prim, so that she cannot comprehend common mortals. 
 And it seems to open Gyda's eyes so that she does understand 
 like mamma. And I do not know what it means in you, 
 Mr. Rollo!' 
 
 ' You never saw it in me.' 
 
 'No.' 
 
 ' Let me give you a lesson to study,' said he. ' Something 
 I have been studying lately a good deal. I must take this 
 minute before we are interrupted. Have you got a Bible 
 here?' 
 
 She sprang up and brought her own from the next room, 
 with a certain quick way as if she were excited. Rollo took it 
 and turned over the leaves, then placed it before her open. 
 
 ' I have heard you read the Bible once. Read now those 
 two verses.' 
 
 ' For the love of Christ constraineth us ; because we thus 
 judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead : and that He 
 died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live 
 unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose 
 again' (2 Cor. v. 14, 15). 
 
 "Wych Hazel read the words, slowly, softly, then looked up 
 at him again. 
 
 ' Is that what it means in you ?' she said. 
 
 ' What do the words imply, for anybody ? ' he said, with his 
 eyes going down into hers, as they did sometimes, like as if 
 they would get at the yet unspoken thoughts. But hers fell 
 again to the book. 
 
 ' I suppose, they should mean what they say,' she answered 
 in the same slow fashion. 'But what that is, or at least 
 would be, I do not very well know.' 
 
 ' If One died for me, if it is because of his love and death 
 for me that I live at all, to whom do I properly belong? 
 myself, or him?' 
 
 ' Well, and then ? ' she said, passing the question as an- 
 swered. 
 
 ' Then a good many things,' he said, smiling again. ' Suppose 
 that he, to whom I belong, has work that he wante done,
 
 A LESSON. 415 
 
 suppose there are people he wants taken care of and helped, 
 if I love him and if I belong to him, what shall I like to do ?' 
 
 ' "What you are doing, I suppose,' said Hazel, with a little 
 undefined twinge that came much nearer jealousy than she 
 
 ' That is very plain, anr 1 jrf ectly simple, isn't it ? ' 
 
 ' It sounds so. And giancing furtively at the bright, clear 
 face, she added to herself Dr. Maryland's old words : ' Love 
 likes her bonds !' That was plain too. 
 
 ' Then another question. If / belong to this One whom I 
 love, does not all that I have belong to him too?' 
 
 ' But it was not / who said you were ruining yourself,' said 
 the girl in her quick way. I liked it.' 
 
 ' Did you ? ' said he, with one of his flashes of eye. ' But I 
 am giving you a lesson to study. I am not justifying myself. 
 Answer my question. Does not all I have belong to that One, 
 who loves me and whom I love ?' 
 
 She bowed her head in assent. Somehow the words hurt her. 
 
 * So that, whatever I do, I cannot be said to give him any- 
 thing? It is all his already. I am asking you a business 
 question. I want you to answer just as it appears to you.' 
 
 * How can it appear but in one way?' said Hazel. 'That 
 must be true, of course.' 
 
 ' Very well. That is clear. Now suppose further, that my 
 Lord has left me special directions about what he wants done 
 to these people I spoke of am I not to take the directions 
 exactly as they stand, without clipping ? ' 
 
 ' Yes.' 
 
 He put his hand upon the book which lay before her, and 
 turned back the leaves to the third chapter of Luke ; there 
 indicated a verse and bade her read again. 
 
 ' " He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath 
 none." ' 
 
 ' What does that mean ? ' asked Rollo. 
 
 ' What it says if it means anything, I suppose.' 
 
 Again Rollo put his hand upon the leaves, turning further 
 hack still till he reached the book of Isaiah. And then he gave 
 Wych Hazel these words to read :
 
 416 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 ' Is not this the fast that I have chosen ? to loose the banda 
 of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the 
 oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke ? Is it not to 
 deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that 
 are cast out to thine house? when thou seest the naked, that thou 
 cover him ; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?' 
 
 ' How are these commands to be met ?' Eollo asked gravely 
 when she had done. 
 
 ' Why, you have found out !' said Hazel. ' I knew you would 
 go off on a crusade after that October sky, Mr. Eollo.' 
 
 He seemed half to forget his subject, or to merge it, in a 
 deep, thoughtful gaze at her for a few moments, over which a 
 smile gradually broke. 
 
 ' To come back to our lesson,' he said,' are not these com- 
 mands to be taken au pied de la lettre f 
 
 ' They can hardly be the one exception among commands, I 
 should think,' with a little arch of her eyebrows. 
 
 ' Then I am bound, am I not, to undo every heavy burden 
 that I can reach ? to loose every bond of wickedness, and to 
 break every yoke, and to remove oppression, in so far as it lies 
 with me to do it ? Do you not think so ?' 
 
 'Why, yes!' said Wych Hazel 'Does anybody like op- 
 
 ' Does anybody practise it?' 
 
 ' I do not know, Mr. Rollo. yes, of course, in some parts 
 of the world. But I mean here. Yes, those people used to 
 look as if something kept them down, and I used to think Mr. 
 Morton might help it, I remember.' 
 
 ' You are not to suppose that oppression is liked for its own 
 sake. That is rarely the case, even in this world. It is for the 
 sake of what it will bring, like other wrong things. But a 
 question more. Can I do all I can, without giving and using 
 all I have for it?' 
 
 ' That is self-evident.' 
 
 1 Then it only remains, how to use what I have to the best 
 advantage.' 
 
 ' Well, even Mr. Falkirk admits you are a good business 
 man,' said Hazel, laughing a little.
 
 A LESSON. 417 
 
 ' How are you for a business woman ? ' 
 
 ' Xobody has ever found out. Of course I consider myself 
 capable of anything. But then business never does come into 
 my hands, you know.' 
 
 ' This business does.' 
 
 ' Does it ? the business of caring for other people ? Last 
 summer Dr. Maryland read a terrible text about the " tears 
 of the oppressed, and they had no comforter." It haunted me 
 for a while. But I could do nothing. No, one must have 
 more right of way than I have yet.' 
 
 ' I do not mean the business simply of caring for other 
 people. I mean the whole course of action, beginning from 
 those first words you read.' 
 
 ' You know,' she said quietly, ' I have never tried.' 
 
 ' Will you study the lesson I have set you ? ' 
 
 ' The one you have been learning ? ' 
 
 ' Yes. The one contained in these verses you have read. 
 Shall I do harm if I mark this book ? ' 
 
 ' No.' The word came quick, under breath. 
 
 He turned to the different places where she had been read- 
 ing, and carefully marked the passages ; then sought out and 
 likewise marked several others. ' Will you study the lesson 
 out ? ' he asked as he was busy with the last marking. 
 
 ' I will try I think,' she answered slowly. ' As well as I 
 know how.' 
 
 ' Do not fancy,' he said smiling as he shut the book, ' that 
 the care of the needy, in any shape, is religion ; nor think that 
 He who loves us will ever take anything as a substitute for our 
 whole-hearted love to him. If we give him that, he will let 
 us know in what way we may shew it.' 
 
 She made no answer except by another swift look. This 
 was Chaldee to her ! He let the silence last a little while. 
 
 ' Now I have asked you so many questions,' he said, ' I should 
 like it if you would ask me a few.' 
 
 ' What about ? ' 
 
 ' All subjects are open to you ! ' 
 
 ' How did you contrive to make the bay " stand " ? ' 
 
 The flash of Hollo's eye came first.
 
 418 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 ' How do you know I did ? ' he said laughing. ' But that is 
 no answer. Let me see. I believe, first I made him know that 
 he must mind me ; and secondly, I persuaded him into loving 
 me. All that remained, was to let him understand that I 
 wanted him to be immoveable when I was not on his back.' 
 
 ' 0, but ! ' said Hazel hastily, the sentence ending in crim- 
 son cheeks, and the shyest veil of reserve dropped over her face. 
 
 ' / might question here,' said Rollo in an amused tone, and 
 eyeing her inquisitively ; ' but I have done it so often, I leave 
 the ground to you. What next ? ' 
 
 ' What nextf seemed to have flown away. 
 
 ' Does Collingwood engross all the thoughts that go back to 
 Chickaree ? ' 
 
 A sidelong glance of the brown eyes was all that Mr. RolJo 
 got by that venture. 
 
 ' How is Triidchen ? ' she asked gravely. 
 
 ' Flourishing. Asks after you whenever she gets a chance.' 
 
 ' Mrs. Boerresen of course is well, as she has had you to lock 
 after?' 
 
 ' Gyda is happy. It is a comfort to her to have to make 
 fladbrod for two.' 
 
 ' It must be a comfort to you to eat it ! How is poor Mr. 
 Morton? I felt for him when I heard you had turned his 
 world upside down.' 
 
 ' What did you feel for him ? ' said Rollo quite innocently. 
 
 ' You have asked all your questions. I think it would be 
 proper now,' said Wych Hazel, folding her hands and control- 
 ling the curling lips, ' that you should go on and tell me all 
 there is to be told, and save me the trouble of asking any more.' 
 
 ' I do not wish to save you the trouble.' 
 
 ' It is good practice occasionally to do what you do not wish. 
 Instructive. And full of suggestion.' 
 
 ' Suggestion of what ? ' 
 
 ' Try, and you will know. I doubt if you ever did try,' said 
 Wych Hazel. 
 
 ' I tried it last night and yesterday morning, when I waa 
 turned away from your door with the announcement that you 
 were out.'
 
 A LESSON. 419 
 
 ' But you did not leave your name I ' said Hazel, looking up. 
 
 ' I found it "suggestive" too,' Rollo went on. 'I do not 
 know whether you would like me to tell you all the things 
 which it suggested.' 
 
 ' How is everybody else at home ? ' said Hazel, changing her 
 ground. ' I heard Miss May had been sick.' 
 
 The answer tarried, for Mr. Falkirk came in, and perhaps 
 Rollo forgot it, or knew that Wych Hazel had ; for it was 
 never given. He entered into talk with Mr. Falkirk ; and did 
 his part well through the rest of the evening. Then, Mr. 
 Falkirk expressing the surmise, it was hardly put in the form 
 of a hope, that they would see him at breakfast or dinner, Rollo 
 averred that he was going immediately home. He had done 
 his work in town, and could not tarry. No remark from the 
 lady of the house met that. Indeed she had been sitting in the 
 silcntest of moods, letting the gentlemen talk ; having enough 
 to think of and observe. For absence does change, even an 
 intimate friend, and both lifts and drops a veil. Old charac- 
 teristics stand out with new freshness ; olc* graces of mind or 
 manner strike one afresh ; but the old familiarity which once 
 in a sort took possession of all this, is now withdrawn a little, 
 we stand off and look, And so, secretly, modestly, shyly, 
 Wych Hazel studied her young guardian that night. But 
 when he had risen to go, the faintest little touch from one of 
 her finger tips drew him a step aside. 
 
 4 1 said I would study that,' she began. ' But it seems to me 
 you explained it all as you went along. What is there left to 
 study?' 
 
 The grave penetrating eyes she met and had to meet once, 
 gave all the needed force to his answer. ' Your part, Miss 
 Hazel.' He stood looking at her a minute ; and then he went 
 away. 
 
 If when Rollo had entered the room where she was, that 
 evening, the instant feeling had been that he must come often, 
 perhaps the after feeling was that he could not stand much of 
 this doubtful and neutral intercourse. For he did as he had 
 promised ; left her, practically, to Mr. Falkirk, and came not 
 to town again during all the rest of that winter.
 
 CHAPTER XLll. 
 
 IT seemed to Hazel, that in these days there was no end to the 
 thinking she had to do ; and if Mr. Rollo had only known, she 
 remarked to herself, he need not have been at the trouble to 
 point out new lines of study. The mere sight of him for two 
 hours had put her head in a tangle that it would take her a 
 month to clear away. Some of the questions indeed had 
 started up under the conversation of Mrs. Coles; but with 
 them now came others, all wrapped round and twisted hi ; and 
 instead of dreamily watching the fire in her twilight musings, 
 she began now to spend them with her cheek on her book, or 
 her head dropped on her hands, an impatient little sigh now and 
 then bearing witness to the depth of the difficulties in which 
 she was plunged. What was foremost among the subjects of 
 her musings ? perhaps this strange new talk of Mr. R*_ 'lo's, 
 with the whole new world of work and interest and consecra- 
 tion which had opened before him. It made her sober, it 
 brought back the old lonely feelings which of late (since she 
 knew herself to belong to somebody ' in idea ') had somewhat 
 passed out of sight. He was beginning a new, glad life ; 
 growing wiser and better than she ; making himself a blessing, 
 whereas she was only a care. What could she do for him any 
 more? would he want her any more ? given up now to these 
 new ways of which she knew nothing, and in which somebody 
 else might suit him better say Primrose ? But at that, Miss 
 Wych started up and stirred the fire energetically, and then 
 came back to her musings. 
 
 What did she care, anyhow? She passed that question, 
 turned it round, and took it up in another shape. How would
 
 STUDY. 421 
 
 she bear to be all her life under orders ? iu ' closer' guardian- 
 ship ? and there the word ' sweeter ' flashed in, confusingly. 
 But that was not ' business.' Did she that is, could she like 
 him well enough, to like to give up her own way ? Answer, 
 a prompt negative. Never ! Not if she liked him ten times 
 more than but it is awkward dealing with unknown quan- 
 tities : Hazel sheered off. Suppose she didn't like it could 
 she do it ? do it so that he would never find out what it cost 
 her? do it to give him pleasure? do it, because it was his 
 right ? Waiving her own pleasure, pushing aside her own will ? 
 Could she do it ? Well, there was not the least hope that she 
 would wish to do it. She should always like her own best : no 
 doubt of that. 
 
 Then could she (perhaps) learn such trust in his judgment, as 
 would turn her own will round? As hopeless as the other. 
 Sometimes, of course, he might be right, by a great stretch of 
 leniency Miss Wych allowed so far, sometimes, it was certain, 
 she would. Well : could she give his judgment as well as his 
 will the right of way ? For unless she could, Wych Hazel felt 
 quite sure of one thing : she should never be happy a minute 
 iu such guardianship. She had not dared to give herself a 
 possible reason for liking it in the old times, could she do it, 
 now that she dared ? Was she willing to give up, sometimes 
 or always, to just that one person in all the world ? turning 
 her bonds into bracelets, and wearing them royally ? And there 
 her thoughts went down to the real bracelet on her arm, and 
 its motto, so suddenly become his : 
 
 ' In hope of eternal life.' Would he care for her any more ? 
 how thoughts tired themselves, toiling round these points ! 
 and slowly uprising from them came yet another, which filled 
 the air. What was she to say at the year's end ? or, if this 
 were the year's end, what would she say now? supposing Mr. 
 Rollo still cared what she said. But that last question must be 
 studied by and by. Mr. Rollo would have been amused, may be, 
 and may be a little touched, if he had known the ogre-like shapes 
 in which the girl conjured him up, just to see if she could 
 endure him so : putting herself to superhuman tests. But her 
 imagination played tricks, after all ; for every Afrite came up
 
 422 WYCH HAZEL. 
 
 with a face and voice before which she yielded, perforce ; and 
 even her f avourite scene of standing still as the bay and having 
 him snap his fingers for her, ended one day in a laugh, as she 
 thought what she would say if he ever did. Then finding she 
 had got very far beyond limits, Hazel coloured furiously and 
 ran away from her thoughts. But they hindered her new study, 
 and interrupted it ; and the study brought up the new pain ; 
 only slowly through it all, one thing gradually grew clear, 
 helped on by the pain perhaps as much as anything : she would 
 rather belong to somebody than not if somebody wanted her ! 
 And there was only one somebody in the world, of whom that 
 was true. 
 
 Whereupon, with characteristic waywardness, Miss Wych at 
 once gave up her recluse life ; accepted invitations, and pulled 
 Mr. Falkirk into a round of outdoor gaiety that nearly turned 
 his head. Trying, perhaps, to test her discoveries, or to get 
 rid of her thoughts ; or to prove to herself conclusively that 
 she did not wish for any more visits from Chickaree. 
 
 And so Wych Hazel kuew her own secret.
 
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 8 
 
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 9 
 
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 10 
 
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 11 
 
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 ROYAL COMMANDMENTS ; or, Morning Thoughts for the King's 
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 ROYAL BOUNTY ; or, Evening Thoughts for the King's Guests. 
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 12 
 
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 BY R. M. BALLANTYNE. 
 
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 DUSTY DIAMONDS, CUT AND POLISHED: A Tale of City 
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 THE BATTERY AND THE BOILER; or, The Electrical Adven- 
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 THE SETTLER AND THE SAVAGE; A Tale of Peace and War in 
 
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 UNDER THE WAVES; or, Diving in Deep Waters. A Tale. 
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 THE PIRATE CITY; An Algerine Tale. 
 
 BLACK IVORY ; A Tale of Adventures among the Slavers of East 
 
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 THE NORSEMEN IN THE WEST ; or, America before Columbus. 
 
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 THE FLOATING LIGHT OF THE GOODWIN SANDS. 
 
 ERLING THE BOLD : A Tale of the Norse Sea Kings. 
 
 THE GOLDEN DREAM : A Tale of the Diggings. 
 
 DEEP DOWN : A Tale of the Cornish Mines. 
 
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 SHIFTING WINDS : A Tough Yarn. 
 
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 13 
 
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 TALES OF ADVENTURE ON THE SEA. 
 
 TALES OP ADVENTURE BY FLOOD, FIELD, AND MOUN- 
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 TALES OF ADVENTURE ON THE COAST. 
 
 MY DOGGIE AND I. 
 
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 NISBET'S MINIATUEE CHRISTIAN 
 CLASSICS. 
 
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 1. BOGATZKY'S GOLDEN TREASURY. 
 
 2. KEBLE'S CHRISTIAN YEAR. 
 
 3. THE IMITATION OF CHRIST (Thomas a Kempis). 
 
 4. THE POEMS OF GEORGE HERBERT. 
 
 5. BUNYAN'S PILGRIM'S PROGRESS. 
 
 Series to be continued.
 
 14 
 
 HOME AND SCHOOL SERIES OF JUVENILE BOOKS. 
 
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 AMOS FAYLE ; or, Through the Wilderness into a Wealthy Place. 
 
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 RUNNING AWAY. 
 
 STORIES OF THE LAND WE LIVE IN. By WILLIAM LOCKE. 
 
 A RAY OF LIGHT TO BRIGHTEN COTTAGE HOMES. By the 
 
 Author of " A Trap to Catch a Sunbeam." 
 
 THE STORY OF AN OLD POCKET BIBLE, as related by itself. 
 
 By EOBBEX Cox, A.M. 
 
 ASHTON COTTAGE; or, The True Faith. 
 
 MARJORY. By Mrs. MARSHALL. 
 
 COURAGE AND COWARDS ; or, Who was the Bravest ? By the 
 
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 AGATHA LEE'S INHERITANCE. By Mrs. M. R. HIGHAM, Author 
 
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 NIDWORTH AND HIS THREE MAGIC WANDS. By Mrs. E. 
 PBENTISS. 
 
 ALICE L'ESTRANGE'S MOTTO, AND HOW IT GAINED THE 
 
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 FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH; or, Susine and Claude of the Yal Pelice. 
 
 THE BIRTH OF A CENTURY; or, Eighty Years Ago. By 
 
 Mrs. MAESHALL. 
 ROSE HARTLEY AND HER CHRISTMAS WAYMAKS. A Tale 
 
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 HELEN HERVEY'S CHANGE; or, Out of Darkness into Light, 
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 THE BLACK SHEEP OF THE PARISH. By Lady DFNBOYNE. 
 
 MRS. ARNOLD. By Miss WODEHOTJSE. 
 
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 15 
 
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 FOR 
 
 YOUNG PEOPLE. 
 
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 FRAMILODE HALL. By Mrs. MARSHALL. 
 
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 16 
 
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