genial face
and stalwart figure confronted us on the path.

"Maids a-Maying!" he said. "A pretty picture, on my word. Whither be you
bound, fair ladies, and will you accept the services of a true
knight-errant?"

Rachel's hand had turned cold in mine. "We are going to the farm to
visit Mrs. Hollingford," I said stoutly, "and as you are not acquainted
with the lady you had better go home alone, and amuse Mrs. Hill till we
come back."

"Ah! but I do not like that arrangement at all," said Arthur. "Why
should the lady at the farm not receive me? Has anyone been giving me a
bad character? Speak, Rachel, may I not go with you?"

"I cannot go any further," said Rachel; "I am not well." And indeed she
looked ill.

"Rest a little," I said pitilessly, "and by and by you will be able to
go on."

But Arthur, all alarmed, looked at me with surprise and reproach, drew
Rachel's hand within his own, and began walking slowly towards the Hall.
I followed, with no company but my reflections, which were odd enough;
and so ended this adventure.

And now what I think the most startling occurrence of my story has got
to be related, and, when it is told, all will be pretty nearly finished.

It was arranged that the wedding should be very private. Sir Arthur,
although he had reluctantly withdrawn his opposition, had refused to be
present at the marriage, therefore, no other guests were invited. The
eve of the day arrived, and I had spent the forenoon in decorating the
little church with white flowers. Early in the morning Rachel and
Arthur, with Mr. and Mrs. Hill and myself, were to proceed thither, and
an hour later the husband and wife were to depart on their life's
adventure together.

I remember the kind of evening it was. There was a great flush in the
sky, and a great glow on the earth, that made the garden paths hot to
the tread, and crisped up the leaves of the full-blown roses. There was
a rare blending of heaven and earth in lovely alluring distances, and a
luscious odour of sweet ripe things athirst for rain. The drawing-room
windows were thrown up as high as they would go, and it was cooler
within than without. Upstairs the bride's trunks were packed, and the
white robe was spread out in state, waiting its moment. We were all in
the drawing-room, Mr. and Mrs. Hill variously unoccupied, Rachel and
Arthur sitting together before a window. In another window I was down on
my knees leaning my elbows on the open sash, and gaz