ich separate the Vale of Kennet from the Vale of
White Horse. Mr. Brown was an early man, and careful of his
horses, who responded to his care by being always well up to much
more work than they were ever put to. The drive to Barton Manor
and back in a day was a rare event in their lives. Their master,
taking this fact into consideration, was bent on giving them
plenty of time for the return journey, and had ordered his groom
to be ready to start by eight o'clock. But, that they might not
disturb the rest, by their early departure, he had sent the
carriage to the village inn, instead of to the Porter's stables.

At the appointed time, therefore, and when the evening's
amusements were just beginning at the manor house, Mr. Brown
sought out his wife; and, after a few words of leave-taking to
their host and hostess, the two slipped quietly away; and walked
down the village. The carriage was standing before the inn all
ready for them, with the hostler and Mr. Brown's groom at the
horses' heads. The carriage was a high phaeton having a roomy
front seat with a hood to it, specially devised by Mr. Brown with
a view to his wife's comfort, and that he might with a good
conscience enjoy at the same time the pleasures of her society
and of driving his own horses. When once in her place, Mrs. Brown
was as comfortable as she would have been in the most luxurious
barouche with C springs, but the ascent was certainly rather a
drawback. The pleasure of sitting by her husband and of receiving
his assiduous help in the preliminary climb, however, more than
compensated to Mrs. Brown for this little inconvenience.

Mr. Brown helped her up as usual, and arranged a plaid carefully
over her knees, the weather being too hot for the apron. He then
proceeded to walk round the horses, patting them, examining the
bits, and making inquiries as to how they had fed. Having
satisfied himself on these points, and fee'd the hostler, he took
the reins, seated himself by his wife, and started at a steady
pace towards the hills at the back of Barton village.

For a minute or two neither of them spoke, Mr. Brown being
engrossed with his horses and she with her thoughts. Presently,
however, he turned to her, and, having ascertained that she was
quite comfortable, went on--

"Well, my dear, what do you think of them?"

"Oh, I think they are agreeable people," answered Mrs. Brown;
"but one can scarcely judge from seeing them to-day. It is too
far for a