ponies. Since Clara's taking-off, they have stood still too
much, and knowing that you go to ride occasionally with your
family, I take the liberty of putting them at your disposal for
the present, with instructions to John, who is a careful and
trustworthy driver, to place himself at your service whenever
you are so disposed. The obligation will be entirely on my part,
if you will kindly take a turn behind the ponies whenever you
choose. My regards to your wife and Mrs. Pinkerton.

Believe me yours sincerely,

T. G. DESMOND.

I could find no objection to accepting this kindly offer, so delicately
made, but I did not dare to do so before consulting Bessie and her
mother, so I stepped into the carriage and had John drive me to the
cottage. There was a consultation, and after I had overcome some feeble
scruples on Mrs. Pinkerton's part, which I am afraid were hypocritical,
we decided to take advantage of Mr. Desmond's generosity. I sent a note
of thanks back by John, and thenceforth we took our rides behind "old
Dives's" black ponies. Occasionally the old gentleman himself came out
in the carriage, and proved himself as trustworthy and careful a driver
as John, handling the "ribbons" with the air of an accomplished whip.
The rides were very pleasant, those beautiful summer days, and the
change from a hired "team" to the sumptuous establishment of Mr. Desmond
was extremely grateful.

Mr. Desmond was doubtless very lonely without his niece. She had been
the light of his home, and her absence was probably felt by the old
gentleman with more keenness than he had anticipated at the outset. His
large and beautifully furnished mansion needed the presence of just such
a person of vivacious and cheery character as Clara, to prevent it from
becoming cheerless in its grandeur. He intimated as much, and appeared
unusually restless and low-spirited for him. He sought to make up for
the absence of the sunshine and joyousness that "Miss Van" had taken
away with her, by applying himself with especial diligence to business;
but he really had not much business to engross his attention, beyond
collecting his interest and looking out for his agents, and it failed to
fill the void. He betook himself to his club, and killed time
assiduously, talking with the men-about-town he found there, playing
whist, and running through the magazines and reviews in search of wit
and wisdom wherewith to d