17 



THE OAK. 



We had made a sort of bargain to meet 

 again. I had not been long on my mossy seat^ 

 before I heard their voices^ and, at a turn, 

 formed by a cluster of trees and bushy under- 

 wood, I saw them approach, with their sis- 

 ters, as I learned afterwards. They were fol- 

 lowed by a somewhat elderly lady, whom I 

 soon found to be the relative with whom the 

 young party resided. She presently stepped 

 forward, and, after a moment occupied by an 

 anxious and penetrating survey, in a lady-like 

 manner thanked me for my previous instruc- 

 tions to those whom I now discovered to be 

 her nephews. 



c 



