stable, and the cows lowing in the fields--they were all hers. She
had performed her part of the bargain, and now the price was paid to her
into her hands. When she arrived she did not know what was the extent of
her riches in this world's goods; nor, in truth, had she at once the
courage to ask questions on the subject. She saw cows, and was told of
horses; and words came to her gradually of sheep and oxen, of poultry,
pigs, and growing calves. It was as though a new world had opened itself
before her eyes, full of interest; and as though all that world were her
own. She looked at it, and knew that it was the price of her bargain.
Upon the whole, she had been very lucky. She had, indeed, passed through
a sharp agony--an agony sharp almost to death; but the agony had been
short, and the price was in her hand.

A close carriage had met her at the station, and taken her with her maid
to the house. She had so arranged that she had reached the station after
dark, and even then had felt that the eyes of many were upon her as she
went out to her carriage, with her face covered by a veil. She was all
alone, and there would be no one at the house to whom she could speak;
but the knowledge that the carriage was her own perhaps consoled her.
The housekeeper who received her was a stout, elderly, comfortable body,
to whom she could perhaps say a few words beyond those which might be
spoken to an ordinary servant; but she fancied at once that the
housekeeper was cold to her, and solemn in her demeanor.

"I hope you have good fires, Mrs. Button."

"Yes, my lady."

"I think I will have some tea; I don't want anything else to-night."

"Very well, my lady."

Mrs. Button, maintaining a solemn countenance, would not go beyond this;
and yet Mrs. Button looked like a woman who could have enjoyed a gossip,
had the lady been a lady to her mind. Perhaps Mrs. Button did not like
serving a lady as to whom such sad stories were told. Lady Ongar, as she
thought of this, drew herself up unconsciously, and sent Mrs. Button
away from her.

The next morning, after an early breakfast, Lady Ongar went out. She was
determined that she would work hard; that she would understand the farm;
that she would know the laborers; that she would assist the poor; that
she would have a school; and, above all, that she would make all the
privileges of ownership her own. Was not the price in her hand, and
would she not use it? She felt that it was very good th