, the sight of
Robert's practical labours struck him more and more, and his attachment
grew with his admiration.

'I'll tell you what, Phoebe,' he said, when riding with her. 'I have a
notion of pleasing the parson. Yesterday we got obstructed by an
interminable procession of school children going out for a lark in the
country by an excursion train, and he began envying their keepers for
being able to give them such a bath of country air. Could we not let him
do the same by his lot at Beauchamp?'

'Oh, Mervyn, what a mass of happiness you would produce!'

'Mass of humbug! I only want to please Robin and have no trouble. I
shan't come near it. You only tell me what it will cost, carriage,
provender, and all, and let me hear no more of it.'

He was destined to hear a good deal more. The proposal caused the utmost
gratitude and satisfaction, except that Honor and Robert doubted whether
it were a proper moment for merry-making at Hiltonbury. They were in
full consultation when in walked Sir John Raymond, who could not help
coming to town at once to express his thanks at having his son settled so
near him. Ere long, he learnt what was under discussion, and made the
amendment that the place should be the Forest, the occasion the
Horticultural Show. He knew of a capital spot for the whole troop to
dine in, even including the Wulstonians proper, whom Honor, wondering she
had never thought of it before, begged to include in the treat at her own
expense. But conveyance from the station for nearly two thousand?

'Never mind,' said Sir John; 'I'll undertake for that! We'll make it a
county concern, and get the farmers to lend their wagons, borrow all the
breaks we can, and I know of some old stage-coaches in dock. If there's
not room for all, they must ride and tye. It is only three miles from
the little Forest station, and we'll make the train stop there. Only,
young ladies, you must work Whittington's cat upon all the banners for
your kittens.'

Lucilla clapped her hands, and undertook that the Whittingtonians should
be marshalled under such an array of banners as never were seen before.
Maria was in ecstasies, and Bertha was, in the excitement, forgetting her
dread of confronting the county.

'But where's Miss Phoebe?' asked Sir John, who had sat half an hour
waiting in vain for her to appear; and when he heard, he declared his
intention of calling on her. And where was Mervyn himself? He was at
the offi