r red roofs, the byres and orchards, the glitter of the placid
Broads lying calm and serene under the summer sun, reeds and rushes
reflected as in a mirror on the water, which was so still that hardly a
ripple disturbed its even surface.

It was so utterly unlike anything she had ever seen that it possessed
for her an intense fascination. Later, as she was approaching the end
of her journey, her first view of the low heather-crowned hills made
her heart thrill.

A freshness in the air, and the curious one-sided appearance of the
wind-swept trees, made her aware of the nearness of the sea--then
presently she saw it--just a line of deeper blue against the azure of
the sky, with the square tower of Renwick Church girdled with
clustering red roofs clearly visible in the middle distance.

In a few moments the train stopped, and she alighted at the station to
find a carriage drawn by a fine pair of horses awaiting her.

The long drive in the cool of the waning sunlight was to her pure
delight. The road led first through beautiful beechwoods, out into the
open country where low banks, bright with wild flowers--scabious,
willow-herb and yellow ragwort--divided the corn-fields, now golden and
ready for harvest; up on to a wide heath where the bell heather flooded
the landscape with glowing purple light--through pine-woods dim and
fragrant--and so on until the carriage turned through a gateway, past a
low lodge of mellow ancient brickwork, and entered a well-kept carriage
drive.

A few minutes more and Philippa was being assisted out by her host, and
warmly welcomed by Marion, to the accompaniment of the cheerful if
noisy greetings of two West Highland terriers who squirmed and yapped
in exuberant hospitality.

"At last," said Marion, embracing her fondly. "I expect you are very
tired."

"Oh no," replied Philippa quickly, "I thoroughly enjoyed the
journey--every moment of it."

"Come in and have some tea," said Major Heathcote.

"Isn't it too late for tea?"

"Never too late for tea with your sex, is it?" he returned, laughing.
"I thought ladies always wanted tea!"

"Perhaps ours won't suit you," said Marion as they entered the hall.
"Don't you like yours made in a samovar and flavoured with lemon?"

"Not a bit of it," rejoined Philippa. "Nice English tea with plenty of
cream, please."

"I can promise you that. Just sit down here. Now, Bill, give her a
cushion and hand her the scones. They are freshly made