"The other servants thought you wandered slightly," again ventured
Rosamond, "and as no one was in sight when they rode up, where could
your nymph or Fairy have vanished so soon? Was not she with you but a
moment before?"

"Only an instant before, my cousin. But never shall I yield to the idea
that I wandered or that my eyes deceived me as to the vision upon which
they rested. Some day I hope to see my dear Fairy again, and when I do,
I shall know her."

Sally held her breath for very rapture. Ah, how strange, how sweetly
strange! _He_, her Fairy Prince, had called her _his_ dear Fairy! Could
it be? Yes, it was true, true!

"But, remember, he knows naught of you," came the sad voice that always
kept her down.

"See to it," cried her cheerful Fairy, "that should he ever see and know
you, there will be naught for which to be ashamed."

"I will try," said Maid Sally.

But if Sally had been careful not to have the Fairy Prince see her
before, doubly unwilling was she now that he should catch a glimpse of
her.

And not much danger of it was there except on Sundays, when he appeared
at meeting. But Sally managed to stand behind the person in front of
her, so that not a peep at her face did the young gentleman of Ingleside
get, when during the last singing the congregation turned about and
faced the choir.

But under her broad-rimmed hat it is doubtful if Sally's features would
have reminded him of the nymph of the pine woods. And so cautious was
Maid Sally that not another peep did her Fairy Prince get at her
anywhere during the rest of his vacation.

And but seldom did the careful maid go over to the beloved perch between
hedge and wall. From her window she more than once saw Lionel go flying
by on Hotspur's back, for the Southern lad rode as if by nature the
swift, noble horses always to be found in the stables.

Then companies of young people would go forth on picnics, driving in
wagons through the woods; or riding parties would be formed, when
Hotspur would be left at home, while Lord Rollin, Lady Grace, and other
fine horses would bear young men and maidens to the make-believe hunt,
or on the long, breezy ride.

And then again there came a fair September day, when Sally went to the
quay, and away and away sailed the Fairy Prince, going back to his
studies and the books that were to fit him for the life that lay ahead
and the days that were to come.

And back went Maid Sally to Mistress Kent, with the