, and the moonlight streamed in through the
muslin curtains, it was lovelier yet. Matilda went to the window and
gazed out. The fields and copses lay all crisp and bright in the cool
moonbeams; and over beyond lay the blue mountains, in a misty
indistinctness that was even more ensnaring than their midday beauty.
And no bell of Mrs. Candy's could sound in that fairy chamber to summon
Matilda to what she didn't like. She was almost too happy; only there
came the thought, how she would ever bear to go away again.

That thought came in the morning too. But pleasure soon swept it away
out of sight. She had a charming hour with Mrs. Laval in the
greenhouse; after which they went up to Matilda's room; and Mrs. Laval
made some little examination into the state of that small wardrobe
which had been packed up the day before, and now lay in the drawers of
the green dressing-table. Following which, Mrs. Laval carried Matilda
off into another room where a young woman sat sewing; and her she
directed to take Matilda's measure, and fit her with a dress from a
piece of white cambrick which lay on the table.

"It's getting pretty cool, ma'am, for this sort of thing," said the
seamstress.

"Yes, but it will be wanted, and it is all I have got in the house just
now. I will get something warmer to-day or to-morrow, or whenever I go
out. And Belinda, you may make a little sacque to wear with this; there
is enough of that red cashmere left for it. That will do."

Two or three days saw the white frock done and the sacque. Mrs. Laval
provided Matilda with pretty slippers and a black sash; and
furthermore, desired that she would put these things on and wear them
at once. Matilda did not know herself, in such new circumstances, but
obeyed, and went down-stairs very happy. Norton cast an approving
glance at her as she met him.

"Come here," said he, stretching out his hand to her; "mamma's busy
with her new people, and we will have another drive presently. Come and
sit down till it is time to go."

They went on the verandah, where it was warm and yet shady; the October
sun was so genial, and the winds were so still.

"So they have come?" said Matilda.

"Yes, a lot of them. Look as if they had come from the other end of
creation. Pink, I think I'll cover all that bank with bulbs."

"What are bulbs?"

"You don't know much, if you _are_ a brick," said Norton. "I mean
tulips, and hyacinths, and crocuses, and ranunculuses, and--well, I
d