ory by heart.

She was repeating again, with the usual pleasure, all about the
discovery of America, when voices and hoof-beats smote upon her ear. And
she sat like an image as Lionel Grandison and Rosamond Earlscourt came
cantering along, their eyes bright with exercise and the horses tossing
their fine manes as if enjoying the merry run as much as their riders.

[Illustration: "WHEN VOICES AND HOOF-BEATS SMOTE UPON HER EAR."]

How grand and manly looked her Prince on his high mount; yet she saw at
a glance that he did not ride Hotspur. And ah, how proud and handsome
looked the young Lady Rosamond as, with curls flying under her high,
peaked hat, she sat the Lady Grace with stately air and held her with a
firm, yet easy rein. But her fair face was turned smilingly toward her
tall cousin.

"She loves him," said Sally, "she loves him, and what a wonder would it
be if she did not! Her own face is a goodly one, fit to be loved indeed.
And how beautifully she rides. Were I a maiden of quality, how gladly
and swiftly would I leap to the back of a good horse, and away, and
away! Ah, I say again, I should love it, I know."

She sat dreaming after the two figures as they rode away, her young
heart swelling with admiration of them both. Somewhere, way down in the
depths of her soul, there was a little hurt as the winsome pair sped
along the far dim road. She was too young to know just what the prick
meant, but her good Fairy was at hand.

"Back to your book, Maid Sally," it said, "and sit not gazing after
those who can ride of a summer's morn, wishing in your silly young heart
that you too could ride. Your turn may come; who knows?"

"It was not quite that I might also ride," answered Sally, "it
was--everything."

"Yes, I know," said the Fairy. "You are quick to reach for that which is
beyond you. That is not strange. But keep to your studies and your
singing; good things come slowly to the poor, but mind you--they may
come!"

"Good Fairy, you do always hearten me," cried Sally, and back she went
to her book.

But she did not forget the proud and happy face that the Lady Rosamond
Earlscourt turned upon the Fairy Prince.

Then came another day long to be remembered, to be hidden in Sally's
heart of hearts and kept there.

The morning broke so cool and sweet that Mistress Cory Ann had a mind to
go into the town and buy meat and other things that would last for
several days. Butter and meat could be put on the shelf