himself to laziness and his arm-chair; the
conversation fell to the three younger persons--I may say the two--for
I also seceded, and left John master of the field. It was enough for
me to sit listening to him and Miss March, as they gradually became
more friendly; a circumstance natural enough, under the influence of
that simple, solitary place, where all the pretences of etiquette
seemed naturally to drop away, leaving nothing but the forms dictated
and preserved by true manliness and true womanliness.

How young both looked, how happy in their frank, free youth, with the
sun-rays slanting down upon them, making a glory round either head,
and--as glory often does--dazzling painfully.

"Will you change seats with me, Miss March?--The sun will not reach
your eyes here."

She declined, refusing to punish any one for her convenience.

"It would not be punishment," said John, so gravely that one did not
recognize it for a "pretty speech" till it had passed--and went on with
their conversation. In the course of it he managed so carefully, and
at the same time so carelessly, to interpose his broad hat between the
sun and her, that the fiery old king went down in splendour before she
noticed that she had been thus guarded and sheltered. Though she did
not speak--why should she? of such a little thing,--yet it was one of
those "little things" which often touch a woman more than any words.

Miss March rose. "I should greatly like to hear your stream and its
wonderful singing." (John Halifax had been telling how it held forth
to me during my long, lonely days)--"I wonder what it would say to me?
Can we hear it from the bottom of this field?"

"Not clearly; we had better go into the wood." For I knew John would
like that, though he was too great a hypocrite to second my proposal by
a single word.

Miss March was more single-minded, or else had no reason for being the
contrary. She agreed to my plan with childish eagerness. "Papa, you
wouldn't miss me--I shall not be away five minutes. Then, Mr.
Fletcher, will you go with me?"

"And I will stay beside Mr. March, so that he will not be left alone,"
said John, reseating himself.

What did the lad do that for?--why did he sit watching us so intently,
as I led Miss March down the meadow, and into the wood? It passed my
comprehension.

The young girl walked with me, as she talked with me, in perfect
simplicity and frankness, free from the smallest hesitation. Eve