a question of obligation, but of courtesy. I should certainly
be remiss in politeness to leave the house for a two days' visit without
giving notice of my intention," she answered.

"Oh! I see. Well, I can fix all that. You will both remain to dinner.
After dinner it will not be too late for Sylvan to take my sure-footed
cob and ride back to Rockhold and explain to the family that Cora is to
remain here overnight, and that I will myself take her home to-morrow
evening if she should wish to go."

"What do you say, Cora," inquired the young man.

"I accept Uncle Fabian's offer and will remain here for the present,"
said the young lady.

"Like the sensible woman that you are!" exclaimed Mr. Fabian.

Half an hour later the four sat down to dinner in one of the prettiest
little dining rooms that ever was seen.

Soon after the pleasant meal was over, Sylvan took leave of his friends,
mounted the white cob that stood saddled at the door, and rode down the
wooded hill to the river road leading to Rockhold.

The three left behind spent the remainder of the evening on the front
porch, watching the deep river, the hoary mountains, the starry sky, and
listening to the hum of insects, the whirl of waters and the singing of
the summer breeze through the pines that clothed the precipice, and
talking very little.

They retired to rest at a late hour.

Yet on the next morning they met at an early breakfast, for Mr. Fabian
had to go to the works to make up for much lost time while affairs were
left under the sole management of Mr. Clarence.

Cora remained with Violet, who took her into a more interior confidence,
and exhibited with equal pride and delight sundry dainty little garments
of fine cambric and linen richly trimmed with lace or embroidery, all
the work of her own delicate fingers.

"They tell me, Cora, that I could buy all these things as cheap and as
good as I can make them. But I do take such pleasure in making them with
my own hands."

Cora kissed her tenderly for all reply.

Then the little lady began to ask questions about her new
step-mother-in-law.

"You know, Cora, that I could not ask you yesterday while Sylvan was
with us. He is in your full confidence, no doubt, and I have perfect
faith in him; but for all that we cannot speak freely on all subjects
before a third person, however near and dear. At least I could not ask
searching questions about Mr. Rockharrt's marriage, before Sylvan. Such
a strange