A DAY AT LOCH-NA-SEACHIN. 177 



not containing one pack of cards. Cause enough, " 

 she added quietly, " for grave consideration before 

 you blame." 



" Yours is true charity, Miss Peyton," remarked 

 the Major, while he tried in vain to look solemn. 



" And, Annie," said Hope, " let it soothe your 

 gentle spirit to know we have cards, and you shall 

 have your rubber at whist ; but here is luxury," he 

 said, as Dick placed three antique china bowls on 

 the table, " and specially culled for Miss Olive and 

 you." 



"Pray explain, Hope." 



" Easy enough : the first bowl contains cream 

 unapproachable, even in Devonshire ; another, wild 

 fruit ; the third is ice." 



" A simple affair of fruit and milk, Hope," Annie 

 said, with a droll peep under her long eyelashes. 



"Just so, sweet cousin; as beauty is a simple 

 affair of creamy complexion and eyes dark as as 

 wild berries." 



" Hem ! and what of ice," she said, with a mean- 

 ing look. 



Hope coloured slightly, from some cause or other, 

 as he remarked that neither beauty nor berry 

 should be much iced. 



N 



