as two sides to it. If you are not to
our minds, that's its good side: if you are, and we are not to yours,
that's its bad. I doubt if our folk will care to be played Jumping Joan
with in that fashion."

"I will be guided by the will of the Lord," said Alick reverently.

"Humph! I like the words better nor the chances in them," returned
Keziah, taking a pinch of snuff. "But maybe things'll work round as one
would have them; and whether you stay or you do not, the Lord's will be
done, amen! and His grace follow you, young man!"

"Thank you," said Alick with emotion, getting up and shaking the
pickle-stained and snuff-discolored hand.

"I have a message for Miss Leonora Darley," he then said after a pause.
"Mr. Gryce told me I was to be sure and tell him how she was looking."

"Eh, poor bairn! she is not very first-rate," the old woman answered
tenderly. At least it was tenderness in her: in another person her voice
and manner might have been taken for crabbedness and impatience. "She's
up by there, on the fell somewhere. She a'most lives on the fell-side,
but it don't make her look as brisk as I should like. Have you seen the
view from our brow-top? It is a real bonny one; and you'll maybe find
Leonora not far off. I don't think she wanders far."

"I should like to see it," said Alick. "The country altogether looks
splendid to-day."

"Ay, it's a bonny day enough if it would but last. Come your ways with
me and I'll set you out by the back door. You can come in again the same
road if you've a mind."

On which she bustled up, and Alick, escorted by her, went through the
house and on to the fell-side.

It was, if possible, grander now than it had been in the earlier part of
the day. The hot sun had cleared away the lingering mist, and the
cloudless sky was like one large perfect opal, while the earth beneath
shone and glistened as if it were a jewel set with various-colored gems.
There was not a mean or sordid thing about. Touched by the splendid
alchemy of the sun, the smallest circumstance was noble, the poorest
color glorious. Alick stood on the fell-brow entranced: then turning, he
saw slowly coming across the pathless green a young slight figure
dressed in gray. He looked as it came near, and his heart beat with a
force that took all power from him. It was absurd, he knew, but there
was such a strange look of Leam about that girl! He stood and watched
her coming along with that slow, graceful, undulating step