!'

CHAPTER V.

When the breakfast was over, they wandered about the valley, which
Cadurcis could not sufficiently admire. Insensibly he drew Venetia
from the rest of the party, on the pretence of showing her a view at
some little distance. They walked along by the side of a rivulet,
which glided through the hills, until they were nearly a mile from the
villa, though still in sight.

'Venetia,' he at length said, turning the conversation to a more
interesting topic, 'your father and myself have disburthened our minds
to each, other this morning; I think we know each other now as well as
if we were as old acquaintances as myself and his daughter.'

'Ah! I knew that you and papa must agree,' said Venetia; 'I was saying
so this morning to my mother.'

'Venetia,' said Cadurcis, with a laughing eye, 'all this is very
strange, is it not?'

'Very strange, indeed, Plantagenet; I should not be surprised if it
appeared to you as yet even incredible.'

'It is miraculous,' said Cadurcis, 'but not incredible; an angel
interfered, and worked the miracle. I know all.'

Venetia looked at him with a faint flush upon her cheek; she gathered
a flower and plucked it to pieces.

'What a singular destiny ours has been, Venetia! 'said Cadurcis. 'Do
you know, I can sit for an hour together and muse over it.'

'Can you, Plantagenet?'

'I have such an extraordinary memory; I do not think I ever forgot
anything. We have had some remarkable conversations in our time,
eh, Venetia? Do you remember my visit to Cherbury before I went to
Cambridge, and the last time I saw you before I left England? And now
it all ends in this! What do you think of it, Venetia?'

'Think of what, Plantagenet?'

'Why, of this reconciliation?'

'Dear Plantagenet, what can I think of it but what I have expressed,
that it is a wonderful event, but the happiest in my life.'

'You are quite happy now?'

'Quite.'

'I see you do not care for me the least.'

'Plantagenet, you are perverse. Are you not here?'

'Did you ever think of me when I was away?'

'You know very well, Plantagenet, that it is impossible for me to
cease to be interested in you. Could I refrain from thinking of such a
friend?'

'Friend! poh! I am not your friend; and, as for that, you never once
mentioned my name to your father, Miss Venetia.'

'You might easily conceive that there were reasons for such silence,'
said Venetia. 'It could not arise on my part from forgetfuln