lie will have very little to do while you
and Kester are away.'

'That is true,' he returned, in a relieved tone; for he had not thought
of that.

'When we all come back we might hit upon some plan. Do you think your
mother would object to having in a woman two or three times a week to
help Biddy? I think I know a person who would just do--Rebecca
Armstrong. She does not want to leave home; but she is a strong, capable
girl, and could easily do all the rough work--and she is very moderate
in her charges. I could inquire about her, if you like.'

'It is an excellent idea,' he replied, inwardly wondering why it had not
occurred to his mother. 'I am so grateful to you for suggesting it. I am
quite sure my mother will not object; so by all means let us have this
Rebecca.'

'Shall I tell your mother about her?'

'Perhaps I had better speak to her first; there is no hurry, as you say.
Really, Miss Ross, you have lifted a burden off my mind.'

'I am so glad!' with a smile. 'You see, Mr. Blake, it will be so nice
for Mollie to have her mornings to herself. She has told me two or three
times that she finds it impossible to work in the afternoon, there are
so many interruptions; and by that time she is generally so tired--or
stupid, as she calls it--that she cannot even add up her sums.'

'Oh, we will alter all that!' replied Cyril lightly.

He had discharged his duty, and now he did not want to talk about Mollie
any more. From the first he had always felt conscious of a feeling of
well-being, of utter contentment, when he was in the presence of this
girl; it made him happy only to be with her. But this evening they were
so utterly alone; the whole world was shut out by those barriers of
grassy lanes and still green meadows, with their groups of
slowly-feeding cattle.

The evening air was full of dewy freshness, and only the twittering of
birds broke the stillness. A subtle sweetness seemed to distil through
the young man's veins as he glanced at his companion; involuntarily, his
voice softened.

'I wonder where you will be this time to-morrow?' he said, rather
abruptly.

'We are to sleep at York, you know. Geraldine wants to see the Minster.'

'Oh yes, I remember; Captain Burnett told me;' and then he began
questioning her about Braemar. Could she describe it to him? He had
never been in Scotland, and he would like to picture the place to
himself. He should ask Kester to send him a photograph or two.

Audrey was