you are a stranger, and too stylish for his shy taste; he is off again. Follow me to the terrace walk-I know all his haunts." "Quite willingly," replied Olive; "but you must first answer my question, now that we are out of the meadows; tell me, was Rina Cliffe dangerous ?" Linda's happy face looked up gravely in a moment. "Dear Olive," she said, "why do you ask? She was only like-herself, and "The Robin's song did not charm the listener," said Mr. Conway, as he quietly joined them and finished Linda's sentence. "Never mind, dear child, patience is always needed; I watched the sun rise this morning, and it was simply a gradual dawn of grey cloud and misty light-I had given up all idea of sunshine, "Till eastward in the heav'n I saw at last the sign, O'er the far purple mountain a single silver line; 46 CHAPTER III. ROBIN'S FEATHERS ARE RUFFLED. "She has not learnt another lay; Her old song still delights her." "Now, mamma," said Olive Gresley, as she stood by the bright fire in the little sitting-room up-stairs, "give me the space on the sofa that your work occupies; I can then look at you, and at the same time give you the day's history. I dare not take the low folding-chair opposite, because Linda always appropriates it, and I should expect her to be as much offended with me as Rina Cliffe's dignified black cat would be if I had selected her three-legged stool." "A clever excuse," remarked Linda, "for your choice of a place in that snug corner by Aunt Margaret." "Well, dear children," said Mrs. Gresley, with a happy smile, "I am well content to have you both near me under any pretext; nevertheless the solitary part of this day has been more enjoyable than usual, for I have had a pleasant companion in my book; and Dr. Percy, who has been here, prescribed something which accords greatly with my inclination—namely, a longer sojourn in the fresh country air, so that if my brother and Linda will consent to the arrangement we may spend Christmas-tide together." "There is no hesitation on that point," replied Linda, warmly, "so that is soon settled. My cousin Olive seems to be enduring the November fogs bravely, without even the enlivenment of a concert, or any outside gaiety to relieve the gloom; I hope, therefore, she may enjoy December, and perhaps find Christmas-time in the country 'a right goodsome season,' as old Godfrey Norman calls it." "So far from being dull," replied Olive, "I am kept constantly on the qui vive; for indeed, mamma, society in the West End knows nothing in comparison with the insight we possess into each others occupations and affairs in the small world of Hazelmere. Only imagine the interest it excites when Linda and I reach the cross-roads in our pony carriage, and Miss Tryphosa Mills, from her muslin-screened window opposite, can decide the point of our destination. Her pleasure is enviable as she turns to her small servant and makes this valuable announcement-' Miss Linda Conway has just driven by; I dare say she is gone to call at White Court,-leastwise she turned to the right after she passed the fingerpost. The grey pony was very spirited, and the carriage has been varnished, or something. seemed to me she had a new feather in her hat.'" It "What an inventive genius you have," remarked Mrs. Gresley, with an amused smile at Olive's description of country life. "Not in the least, I assure you," replied Olive, demurely. "We called upon Miss Mills on our return home, and she repeated, word for word, what she had told the little servant; adding, 'But I could not make a guess at you, Miss Gresley.' In truth, mamma, you can have no idea of what consequence the smallest action is in this village-world. Linda says the amount of foolish gossip in quiet Hazelmere would astonish me; and as to faultfinding, the people seem like a flock of sheep when there is a gap in the hedge-one acts as leader, and then all follow one another over it; if there is none, they make it, for want of better occupation, I suppose." "Ah yes," said Linda, "it is so sometimes, and that is the unfavourable view of life in the country. I have felt the power of idle words to fret and annoy even here; but that is only now and then, when, as Olive says, 'a gap in the hedge sets the sheep wandering.' Generally I have a happy feeling that we are all one flock, under one shepherd, and I love my pasture." "You are right, dear child," said Mrs. Gresley, "for in spite of these small vexations there is a great feeling of clanship in a village. You have noticed, I daresay, when there is any sign of approaching danger to a flock, how they all herd closely in defence." Linda smiled. "Yes, the good people here remind me of that fact; they will often attack each other rather unmercifully, but if any stranger dare to use the same words, or condemn a failing in the same terms, they will indignantly and unitedly defend our village."" 66 Mamma," said Olive, as she stirred the fire and sent its brightening influence through the room, "while you and Linda have been talking in sober prose, I have chosen some lines of Cowper's to suit the subject. Listen! ""Tis pleasant, through the loopholes of retreat, To peep at such a world. To see the stir D |