g themselves merry over the incident of the brook. The
Colonel was in truth well pleased that Larry Twentyman should have
taken his place, though he probably would not have been gratified had
he seen Captain Batsby assume his duties. It had been his delight to
see the two girls ride, and he had been near enough to see them. He
was one of those men who, though fond of hunting, take no special
glory in it, and are devoid of the jealousy of riding. Not to have
a good place in a run was no worse to him than to lose a game of
billiards or a rubber of whist. Let the reader understand that this
trait in his character is not mentioned with approbation. "Always
to excel and to go ahead of everybody" should, the present writer
thinks, be in the heart of every man who rides to hounds. There was
in our Colonel a philosophical way of looking into the thing which
perhaps became him as a man, but was deleterious to his character as
a sportsman.

"I do so hope you've enjoyed yourself, Ayala!" he said, as he lifted
her from her horse.

"Indeed,--indeed, I have!" said Ayala, not noticing the use of her
Christian name. "I have been so happy, and I am so much obliged to
you!"

CHAPTER XXV.

"YOU ARE NOT HE."

Ayala had been a week at Stalham, and according to the understanding
which had existed she should now have returned to Kingsbury Crescent.
She had come for a week, and she had had her week. Oh, what a week
it had been, so thoroughly happy, without a cloud, filled full with
ecstatic pleasures! Jonathan Stubbs had become to her the pleasantest
of friends. Lady Albury had covered her with caresses and little
presents. Nina was the most perfect of friends. Sir Harry had never
been cross, except for that one moment in the wood. And as for
Sprite,--Sprite had nearly realised her idea of an Angel of Light.
Oh, how happy she had been! She was to return on the Monday, having
thus comprised two Sundays within her elongated week. She knew
that her heaven was to be at an end; but she was grateful, and was
determined in her gratitude to be happy and cheerful to the close.
But early on this Sunday morning Colonel Stubbs spoke a word to Lady
Albury. "That little girl is so thoroughly happy here. Cannot you
prolong it for her just for another three days?"

"Is it to be for her,--or for Colonel Stubbs, who is enamoured of the
little girl?" asked Lady Albury.

"For both," said the Colonel, rather gravely.

"Are you in earnest?"

"