nd to look through it was like looking into the outskirts
of a forest. The rabbits ran about by hundreds among the roots of the
trees. The birds sang as if in their own kingdom and secure possessions.
To this gentle savagery and dominion of nature the Miss Warrenders were
accustomed; and in the freshness of the early summer it was sweet. They
went on without speaking, for some time, and then it seemed wise to the
younger sister to forestall further remark by the introduction of a new
subject, which, however, was not a usual proceeding on Chatty's part.

"Minnie," she said, "do you know what the rector meant when he spoke of
Lady Markland, that she was an attractive woman? You took him up rather
sharply."

"No, I didn't," said Minnie, with that ease which is noticed among near
relations. "I said she was rather old for that."

"She is scarcely any older than you. I know that from the Peerage. I
looked her up."

"So did I," said Miss Warrender. "That does not make her a day younger
or more attractive. She is four years older than Theo: therefore she is
as if she were not to him. Four years is a dreadful difference when it
is on the wrong side."

Chatty was ridiculously simple for a person of three-and-twenty. She
said, "I cannot think what that has to do with it. The rector is really
very silly at times in what he says."

"I don't see that he is silly. What he means is that Lady Markland will
take advantage of Theo, and he will fall in love with her. I should say,
for my part, that it is very likely. I have seen a great many things
of the kind, though you never open your eyes. He is always going to
Markland to see what he can do, if there is anything she wants. He is
almost sure to fall in love with her."

"Minnie, a married woman!"

"Oh, you little simpleton! She is not a married woman, she is a widow; and
she is left extremely well off and with everything in her hands,--that
is to say, she would be very well off if there was any money. A widow is
in the best position of any woman. She can do what she likes, and nobody
has any right to object."

"Oh, Minnie!" protested the younger sister again.

"You can ask mamma, if you don't believe me. But of course she would not
have anything to say to Theo," Miss Warrender said.

CHAPTER XI.

"When is Dick Cavendish coming?" said Mrs. Wilberforce to her husband.
"I wish he hadn't chosen to come now, of all times in the world, just
when we can do nothing to amu