142 



abethan hall, ivj-mantled and diamon(?-paned, at the 

 end of the long perspective. 



Then for the first time it occurred to his mind, 

 ■whether he were not perchance too earljy for with his 

 sagacity of American woodcraft he saw at a glance 

 that no hoof track had as yet broken the humid sod. 

 Then he half repented, and half drew in his bridle. 

 But the next moment, his own unconfessed and un- 

 shaped half-purpose dimly limning itself on his fancy, 

 rather than on his mind, he threw the gate open, hum- 

 ming to himself the words of gallant Montrose — 



For sure he either fears too much, 



Or his deserts are small, 

 "Who would not put it to the touch 



To win or lose it all ; 



and without debating the matter any further, perhaps 

 without wishing to deba^je, rode directly up to the 

 Hall-door. 



It stood open with a natty groom and a fat butler 

 standing on the steps, the former of whom sprang to 

 his stirrup, while the other bowed low, saying in a 

 voice of quiet aflfirmation rather than enquiry, " Colo- 

 nel Fairfax, sir." 



"Just so. Is Sir Henry at home?'* 



" Sir Henry has gone down to the home farm, sir ; 

 he will be home in half an hour. Miss Mary is in the 

 library, sir, if you please to walk this way." 



Now Fairfax did please to walk that way, and was 

 pleased also that Sir Henry was without and Miss 

 Mary within ; so he made no fuss about it, but did 

 just as he was bid. 



The library door was thrown open, and a very pretty 

 picture lay before him. It was one of those queer 

 old-fashioned rooms, full of odd corners and nooks, all 

 filled with some appropriate piece of furniture, harmo- 

 nious, but not symmetrical ; here an old oaken prie dieu 



