an
expression of intelligence and frankness delightful to behold. But how
to get quit of the finery, and the Frenchman, and the britschka? Or how
reconcile her father to iniquities so far surpassing even the smell of
musk?

William, on his part, regarded his sister with unqualified admiration.
He had left a laughing blooming girl, he found a delicate and lovely
young woman, all the more lovely for the tears that mingled with her
smiles, true tokens of a most pure affection.

"And you really are glad to see me, Susy? And my father is well? And
here is the old place, looking just as it used to do; house, and ricks,
and barnyard, not quite in sight, but one feels that one shall see them
at the next turning--the great coppice right opposite, looking
thicker and greener than ever! how often we have gone nutting in that
coppice!--the tall holly at the gate, with the woodbine climbing up,
and twisting its sweet garlands round the very topmost spray like a
coronet;--many a time and often have I climbed the holly to twine the
flaunting wreath round your straw-bonnet, Miss Susy! And here, on the
other side of the hedge, is the very field where Hector and Harebell ran
their famous course, and gave their hare fifty turns before they
killed her, without ever letting her get out of the stubble. Those were
pleasant days, Susan, after all!"

"Happy days, dear William!"

"And we shall go nutting again, shall we not?"

"Surely, dear brother! Only"---- And

Susan suddenly stopped.

"Only what, Miss Susy?'

"Only I don't see how you can possibly go into the copse in this dress.
Think how the brambles would prick and tear, and how that chain would
catch in the hazel stems! and as to climbing the holly-tree in that fine
tight coat, or beating the stubbles for a hare in those delicate
thin shoes, why the thing is out of the question. And I really don't
believe," continued Susan, finding it easier to go on than to begin,
"I really don't believe that either Hector or Harebell would know you if
they saw you so decked out."

William laughed outright

"I don't mean to go coursing in these shoes, I assure you, Susy. This is
an evening dress. I have a shooting-jacket and all thereunto belonging
in the britschka, which will not puzzle either Harebell or Hector,
because it's just what they have been used to see me wear."

"Put it on, then, I beseech you?" exclaimed Susy; "put it on directly!"

"Why, I am not going coursing this evening