hands.

"Let them alone," said Elsie; "you look more like a lion that way; I
like it."

She was gracious and playful as a kitten, but Tom's happiness was
disturbed all too quickly by the entrance of Victoria, crying:

"Missis horse runned off wid her; but she y'arnt hurt; she's a comin' in
de carriage."

Out of the room Tom and Elsie went, anxious to learn the full meaning of
her words.

CHAPTER XLII.

THE RIDE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES.

The husband and wife galloped joyously on for miles and miles in the
soft light of that delicious afternoon; with every step the gloom and
the shadows seemed to lift themselves from each heart, till they were
cordial and gay almost as Elsie herself.

These few happy hours, soon to be dimly overclouded, were so bright and
sweet, that even in the midst of after trouble, their memory would come
up like fragments of exquisite melody, haunting those two people.

Whatever the secret was which oppressed Elizabeth, its recollection was
put aside for the time, and Mellen gave himself up to the pleasure of
the hour with all the intensity of a nature which enjoys and suffers so
sharply, that even trifles can make for it a keener excitement than
great happiness or acute suffering bring to more placid characters.

"You are not tired, Bessie?"

"Tired, no! I could ride on forever!"

"See how the waters shine in the sun; they seem so full of joyous,
buoyant life, that it gives one strength to watch them."

Elizabeth could fully share in his enthusiasm, and she allowed her
poetical fancy full play, indulging in beautiful comparisons and earnest
talk, which unveiled a phase of her nature seldom revealed except to
those who knew her well.

"I never heard a woman talk as you can," said Mellen, admiringly; "we
shall have you writing books, or coming out as a genius yet."

Elizabeth laughed gaily.

"You need not be afraid; I know you would not like it."

"Indeed I should not; it springs from my selfishness I know, but I like
to keep your real self entirely for my own life."

The afternoon was wearing away when they turned homewards, but still
retained its brightness and beauty, as their hearts kept the new glow
which warmed them.

They galloped down the long hills and through the level groves till they
were nearly home.

The sunlight faded--a strong breeze swept up from the ocean, and a
sudden cloud obscured the sun; one of those abrupt changes so common in
autumn fell upon t