st
sand and gravel. The next moment I was awake, and found myself sitting
up in my tent; there was a glimmer of light through the canvas caused by
the fire; a feeling of dread came over me, which was perhaps natural, on
starting suddenly from one's sleep in that wild lone place; I half
imagined that some one was nigh the tent; the idea made me rather
uncomfortable, and to dissipate it I lifted up the canvas of the door and
peeped out, and, lo! I had an indistinct view of a tall figure standing
by the tent. "Who is that?" said I, whilst I felt my blood rush to my
heart. "It is I," said the voice of Isopel Berners; "you little expected
me, I dare say; well, sleep on, I do not wish to disturb you." "But I
was expecting you," said I, recovering myself, "as you may see by the
fire and the kettle. I will be with you in a moment."

Putting on in haste the articles of dress which I had flung off, I came
out of the tent, and addressing myself to Isopel, who was standing beside
her cart, I said--"Just as I was about to retire to rest I thought it
possible that you might come to-night, and got everything in readiness
for you. Now, sit down by the fire whilst I lead the donkey and cart to
the place where you stay; I will unharness the animal, and presently come
and join you." "I need not trouble you," said Isopel; "I will go myself
and see after my things." "We will go together," said I, "and then
return and have some tea." Isopel made no objection, and in about half-
an-hour we had arranged everything at her quarters. I then hastened and
prepared tea. Presently Isopel rejoined me, bringing her stool; she had
divested herself of her bonnet, and her hair fell over her shoulders; she
sat down, and I poured out the beverage, handing her a cup. "Have you
made a long journey to-night?" said I. "A very long one," replied Belle,
"I have come nearly twenty miles since six o'clock." "I believe I heard
you coming in my sleep," said I; "did the dogs above bark at you?" "Yes,"
said Isopel, "very violently; did you think of me in your sleep?" "No,"
said I, "I was thinking of Ursula and something she had told me." "When
and where was that?" said Isopel. "Yesterday evening," said I, "beneath
the dingle hedge." "Then you were talking with her beneath the hedge?"
"I was," said I, "but only upon gypsy matters. Do you know, Belle, that
she has just been married to Sylvester, so you need not think that she
and I . . ." "She and you