--and he likes you, which is, to be sure, a correlative
position. As I see he don't fill your hands, may I impose upon you the
care of my sister? We are an uneven number you are aware, and as I
thought it desirable not to look _odd_, I gave her permission to go
with us."

Dr. Harrison did not see--if Faith did--the tiniest bit of a glance
that sought her face while he was speaking; but nothing could be easier
than the terms in which Mr. Linden declared himself ready to take
charge of any number of ladies,--it was only equalled by Stranger's
bound the next minute.

How dismayed one of the party was at this addition of Miss Harrison's
company, nobody guessed. They turned in at Judge Harrison's gate, and
found Miss Sophy all ready for them. But to Faith, the play was
suddenly taken out of "the play." She and Dr. Harrison set forward to
be sure, over a pleasant road, in delicious weather; the doctor was in
one of his balmiest moods; and though quietly, she was very well
mounted. It was pleasant, or would have been pleasant; but all the
while, what was Stranger doing behind her that she could not see! Then
in answering some kindly, graceful remark of the doctor's, Faith chid
herself for ungratefulness, and roused herself to give and take what
good was in her power.

The ride was pleasant after that! The air in all its calm sweetness was
well tasted; the barren landscape, never barren to Faith's eyes, was
enjoyed at every step. Her horse went agreeably, and the talk between
her and Dr. Harrison grew interesting and enlivening.

Meanwhile Mr. Linden's horse and his companion were at the
antipodes--of each other. Thoroughly good and estimable as Miss
Harrison was, she never left the beaten track,--and Stranger never kept
in it. Between these two opposites Mr. Linden amused himself as best he
might. To do him justice he tried his best to amuse his companion.

Several miles of way had been passed over, when in a broad grassy reach
of the road, the two riders ahead fell back upon the rest of the party;
Faith taking Miss Harrison's side, while the doctor drew up by Mr.
Linden.

"How does it go?" he said good humouredly.

"What is the impersonal in this case?" said Mr. Linden, while Stranger
snorted and bounded, and by every means in his power requested the
doctor to keep at a distance.

"A conglomerate, for which I found no better term. You, Stranger, and
my sister, and the world generally."

"Stranger is in a sufficien