, "the Lardners' gate is open. Look! Suppose
we go in."

"I should not like to go in," said the little one.

"Why not? There's nobody at home; they haven't come yet; and it's such
a good chance. You know, Clarissa says that people have leave to go
into people's great places and see them, in England, where she has
been."

"But this is not a great place, and we have not leave," urged Matilda.

"Oh well, I'm going in. Come! we'll just go in for a minute. It's no
harm. Come just for a minute."

Matilda, however, stopped at the gate, and stood there waiting for her
sister; while Maria stepped in cautiously and made her way as far as
the front of the house. Here she turned and beckoned to Matilda to join
her; but the little one stood fast.

"What does she want of you?" a voice asked at her elbow. Matilda
started. Two ladies were there.

"She beckoned for me to go in where she is," said Matilda.

"Well, why don't you go in?"

The voice was kindly; the face of the lady was bending towards her
graciously; but who it was Matilda did not know.

"We have no leave to go in," she said. "I do not like to be there."

"I dare say the people would let you come in, if they knew you wished
it."

"They do not know," said Matilda.

"What a charming child!" said the lady apart to her companion. "My
dear," she went on to Matilda, "will you come in on my invitation? This
is my house, and you are welcome. I shall be as glad to see you as you
to see the place. Come!"

And she took Matilda's hand and led her in.

Just at the crown of the bank the house stood, and from here the view
was very lovely, even now in winter. Over the wide river, which lay
full in view with its ice covering, to the opposite shores and the
magnificent range of mountains, which, from Matilda's window at home,
she could just see in a little bit. The full range lay here before the
eye, white with snow, coloured and brightened by the sinking sun, which
threw wonderful lights across them, and revealed beautiful depths and
shadows. Still, cold, high, far-off; their calm majesty held Matilda's
eye.

"Are you looking at the mountains?" said the lady. "Yes, now come in
and you shall look at my flowers. Your sister may come too," she added,
nodding kindly to Maria; but she kept Matilda's hand, and so led her
first upon the piazza, which was a single step above the ground, then
into the hall. An octagon hall, paved with marble, and with large white
statues holdi