aults?' asked Estelle, in such an incredulous tone that both
her listeners laughed.

'He's getting the better of them by degrees,' answered Mrs. Wright,
suddenly becoming grave, as if some thought troubled her.

They had now reached the end of the path, and, turning round by a group
of pine-trees which grew at the foot of the hill, came out upon the
sandy beach. Oh, what a sight for the enchanted eyes of the little girl
who had been a close prisoner for so long!

The sun was shining in a sky flecked with soft, fleecy clouds. Before
them was the rippling, dancing sea. Far in the hazy distance the grey
smoke of a passing steamer could be seen, while white-winged boats or
brown-sailed fishing smacks dotted the wide bay. Estelle's eyes were
full of tears as she uttered exclamations of delight and surprise.

'How lovely! How lovely! Are we going to sit on the beach?'

'Better than that, Missie,' replied Jack, marching down the pebbly slope
with long, easy strides. 'Don't you see the skiff down there on the
sands? It's a trip in her you will have, where you will get fresh air,
with nothing to tire you.'

'Dear Jack! How delicious! Are you not very happy, Goody?'

'I am if you are, dearie. But if you go and get excited, you will have
to come back. It will never do to have you ill again.'

Declaring she was not excited, only happy, Estelle clung to Jack as to a
tower of strength against any return. He laughed.

'Obey orders, little Missie,' he said; 'be happy, but keep quiet.
There's no call to tire yourself.'

'Why, you silly Jack, you are carrying me! How can I get tired?'

The boat had been drawn up on the beach, and Jack now put Estelle into
it, making her a comfortable nest among the cushions and rugs, and
erecting the umbrella over her head. Then, assisting Mrs. Wright to a
seat near her, he ran the boat into the water, springing in as it slid
off. With a 'long, long pull and a strong, strong pull' he rowed them
out of the shadow of the rocks into the open sea. There he ran up the
sail, while Estelle lay quite still in an ecstasy of pleasure. It was
one of those golden moments which are seldom forgotten in a lifetime,
when mere living and breathing are a delight; when the tongue is silent,
because the eyes and thoughts are full of the beauty of the light, and
the colour of trees, sea, rocks, and sky! With anxiety Mrs. Wright
watched her little charge, as, speechless with delight in the sunlight
and sweet air,