one day she will be mistress of The Grange. That is so like our Bessie;
she always goes to the heart of things."

"I am very much pleased with him," replied Dr. Lambert; "he is just as
unsophisticated in his way as Bessie is in hers. You would have liked to
have heard him, Dora. He seems to think there is no one like her. 'She
is worth a dozen of me,' he said; and he meant it, too."

Richard spent several days at Cliffe, and they were golden days to him
and Bessie. On the last evening they went out together, for in the
Lamberts' crowded household there was little quiet for the lovers, and
Richard had pleaded for one more walk. "I shall not see you for six
whole weeks," he said disconsolately; and, as usual, Bessie yielded to
his wishes.

They climbed up by the quarry into the Coombe Woods, and walked through
the long, green alleys that seemed to stretch into space. The Coombe
Woods were a favorite trysting-place for young couples, and many a
village lad and lass carried on their rustic courtship there. The trees
were leafless now, but the February sky was soft and blue, and the birds
were twittering of the coming spring.

"And Edna is to be married in June," observed Bessie, breaking the
silence. "I am glad Mrs. Sefton has given her consent."

"I suppose they gave her no option," replied Richard. "I knew when
Sinclair went down on Saturday that he would settle something. Edna
would not be likely to refuse him anything just now. You will have to be
her bridesmaid, Bessie, so I am sure of some rides with you in June."

"Dear old Whitefoot! I shall be glad to mount him again."

"I shall get you a better horse before next winter. Whitefoot is growing
old. Bessie, I ought not to be dissatisfied when you have been so good
to me; but do you not think it would be possible to induce your father
to change his mind?"

Bessie did not pretend to misunderstand his meaning; she only said
gently:

"No, Richard; and I do not think it would be right to ask him;" and then
she added, "You know dear Hatty will only have been dead a year."

"Yes, I see what you mean," he replied slowly, "and I must not be
selfish; but next October is a long time to wait, Bessie."

"It will not seem so," she answered brightly, "and we must not hurry
your mother; there will be Edna's marriage in June, and my visit to The
Grange, and every now and then you will come here."

"Yes, and there will be my mother to settle in her new house--you see
wh