her sudden bright smile,
that seemed to light up the landscape. Somehow, he had never admired her
so much as he did now in her neat tweed dress, and the deerstalker cap
that sat so jauntily on her brown hair. How lightly she walked! how full
of life and energy she was! No mountain-bred lass had a freer step, a
more erect carriage.

When Audrey made her little speech about her sister's happiness, Michael
looked up with a sort of lazy surprise in his eyes.

'Well, are not married people generally happy?' he asked. 'At least, the
world gives them credit for happiness. Fancy turning bankrupt at nine or
ten months!'

'Oh, there will be no bankruptcy in their case. Gage is a thoroughly
contented woman. Do you know, Michael, I begin to think Percival a good
fellow myself. I never saw quite so much of him before, and he is really
very companionable.'

'Come, now, I have hopes of you. Then why this dubious tone in alluding
to their matrimonial felicity?'

'Oh, I don't know!' with a slight blush. 'I believe it makes me a little
impatient if people talk too much about it. Mother and Gage are
perpetually haranguing on such subjects as this; they are always
hinting, or saying out openly, that such a girl had better be married.
Now, it is all very well, but there are two sides to every question, and
I do think old maids have a great many privileges. No one seems to think
of the delights of freedom.'

'I believe we have heard these sentiments before. Kester, my son, go on
with your book; this sort of conversation is not intended for good
little boys.'

'Michael, don't be absurd! I really mean what I say; it is perfectly
glorious to say and do just what one likes. I mean to write a paper
about it one day, and send it up to one of our leading periodicals.'

'"On the Old Maids of England," by "A Young Maid." I should like to read
it; the result of three-and-twenty years' experience must be singularly
beneficial to the world at large. Write it, my child, by all means; and
I will correct the proof-sheets.'

'But why should not one be happy in one's own way?' persisted Audrey.
'You are older than I, Michael--I suppose a man of your age must have
some experience--is it not something to be your own master, to go where
you like and do what you like without being cross-questioned on your
actions?'

'Oh, I will agree with you there!'

'People talk such nonsense about loneliness and all that sort of thing,
as though one need be lo