," she said, eagerly. "I
have not been used to walking far, lately, and I get tired very soon."

They were entering the large square at the moment, and John said:

"Can we go in there among the trees? I see seats there. Let us sit
down and rest a while."

"Oh, yes! I have been here before. Nothing reminds me so much of home
as the flickering of these shadows--not even the leaves themselves. And
how sweet the flowers are! Do you ken, John, I didna see the leaves
this year till they were full-grown? I can hardly believe that the
spring has come and gone again."

John Nesbitt was looking and listening, and all the time he was
considering something very earnestly. He had not many dollars at his
disposal, and the few he had he was not inclined to part with but for
value received. He was saying to himself, at the moment, that if it
should be decided that he was qualified for the work to which he had set
himself apart, he should need them all, and more too, before his course
of study should be finished. He had a vision, too, of a set of goodly
volumes, bound in calf, on which his heart had been set a year or more.
Untouched in his pocket-book lay the sum he had long ago set apart for
their purchase; and there was very little in it besides.

"There must be a limit to the pleasure a man gives himself. I can only
choose between them," said the prudent John to himself. To Christie he
said: "Have you ever been round the mountain? Would you like to go
to-day?"

"Never but once--in the winter-time; but I should like to go, dearly."
And the eager, wistful look in the eyes that through all the pleasant
spring-time had seen no budding thing, won the day.

"Well, I have never been round it either. So let us take one of these
carriages that seem so plenty here, and go together. It is well worth
the trouble, I have heard."

Christie's first look was one of unmixed delight, but soon it changed
into one a little doubtful. She did not like to speak her thoughts; but
in a little while she said, half smiling:

"Are you no' afraid that they may think you extravagant at home?"

"Indeed, no! At least, I'm sure Effie wouldna, if she saw your face at
this moment. It was well we had all those things sent home. Come."
And like a foolish fellow, he determined not to make a bargain for the
carriage while the prudent little Christie was within hearing, and so
had, I dare say, double to pay when he dismissed it. But the ple