denly
in the sunrise. All was so new, so lovely! It had made her feel quite
happy, just as though with that first sunrise at Farnwood had dawned a
new era in her life. Many times during the day she looked at the hill
church; she would have asked about it had there been any one to ask, so
she determined that her first walk should be thither.

The graceful spire rose before them, guiding them all the way, which
did not seem long to Olive, who revelled in the beauties unfolded along
their lonely walk--a winding road, bounding the forest, on whose verge
the hill stood. But Christal's Parisian feet soon grew wearied, and
when they came to the ascent of the hill, she fairly sat down by the
roadside.

"I will go into this cottage, and rest until you come back, Miss
Rothesay; and you need not hurry, for I shall not be able to walk home
for an hour," said the wilful young lady, as she quickly vanished, and
left her companion to proceed to the church alone.

Slowly Olive wound up the hill, and through a green lane that led to the
churchyard. There seemed a pretty little village close by, but she was
too tired to proceed further. She entered the churchyard, intending to
sit down and rest on one of the gravestones; but at the wicket-gate she
paused to look around at the wide expanse of country that lay beneath
the afternoon sunshine--a peaceful earth, smiling back the smile of
heaven. The old grey church, with its circle of gigantic trees, shut
out all signs of human habitation; and there was no sound, not even the
singing of birds, to break the perfect quiet that brooded around.

Olive had scarcely ever seen so sweet a spot. Its sweetness passed into
her soul, moving her even to tears. From the hill-top she looked on the
wide verdant plain, then up into the sky, and wished for doves' wings to
sail out into the blue. Never had she so deeply felt how beautiful was
earth, and how happy it might be made. And was Olive not happy? She
thought of all those whose forms had moved through her life's picture;
very beautiful to her heart they were: beautiful and dearly loved: but
now it seemed as though there was one great want, one glorious image
that should have arisen above them all, melting them into a grand
harmonious whole.

Half conscious of this want, Olive thought, "I wonder how it would have
been with me had I ever penetrated that great mystery which crowns all
life: had I ever known love!"

The thought brought back many of h