ime.

The squire remembered it. He had also, in some degree, regarded his
mother's prejudices while she lived; but, after her death, Sophia and
Charlotte, as well as their brother, began to go very often to Up-Hill
Farm. Naturally Stephen, who was Ducie's son, became the companion of
Harry Sandal; and the girls grew up in his sight like two beautiful
sisters. It was only within the past year that he had begun to
understand that one was dearer to him than the other; but though none of
the three was now ignorant of the fact, it was as yet tacitly ignored.
The knowledge had not been pleasant to Sophia; and to Charlotte and
Stephen it was such a delicious uncertainty, that they hardly desired to
make it sure; and they imagined their secret was all their own, and were
so happy in it, that they feared to look too curiously into their
happiness.

There was to be a great feast and dance that night: and, as they sat at
the tea-table, they heard the mirth and stir of its preparation; but it
came into the room only like a pleasant echo, mingling with the barking
of the sheep-dogs, and the bleating of the shorn sheep upon the fells,
and the murmur of their quiet conversation about "the walks" Latrigg
owned, and the scrambling, black-faced breed whose endurance made them
so profitable. Something was also said of other shearings to which
Stephen must go, if he would assure his claim to be "top-shearer," and
of the wool-factories which the most astute statesmen were beginning to
build.

"If I were a younger man, I'd be in with them," said Latrigg. "I'd spin
and weave my own fleeces, and send them to Leeds market, with no
go-between to share my profits." And Steve put in a sensible word now
and then, and passed the berry-cake and honey and cream; and withal met
Charlotte's eyes, and caught her smiles, and was as happy as love and
hope could make him.

After tea the squire wished to go; but Latrigg said, "Smoke one pipe
with me Sandal," and they went into the porch together. Then Steve and
Charlotte sauntered about the garden, or, leaning on the stone wall,
looked down into the valley, or away off to the hills. Many things they
said to each other which seemed to mean so little, but which meant so
much when love was the interpreter. For Charlotte was eighteen and
Stephen twenty-two; and when mortals still so young are in love, they
are quite able to create worlds out of nothing.

After a while the squire lifted his eyes, and took i