could not help returning the salute; "but I must know who that lady is.

And what can he want with three pictures of her?"

"How should I know, Dolly? Perhaps it is his mother, or perhaps it is

the Queen of Naples, who made a Duke of him for what he did out there.

Now be quick, both of you, or no ride to-day. It is fifteen long miles

to Stonnington, I am sure, and I am not going to break my neck. As

it is, we must put dinner off till half past six, and we shall all be

starved by that time. Quick, girls, quick! I can only give you twenty

minutes."

The Admiral, riding with all the vigor of an ancient mariner, looked

well between his two fair daughters, as they turned their horses' heads

inland, and made over the downs for Stonnington. Here was beautiful

cantering ground, without much furze or many rabbit-holes, and lovely

air flowing over green waves of land, to greet and to deepen the rose

upon young cheeks. Behind them was the broad sea, looking steadfast,

and spread with slowly travelling tints; before them and around lay the

beauty of the earth, with the goodness of the sky thrown over it. The

bright world quivered with the breath of spring, and her smile was shed

on everything.

"What a lovely country we have been through! I should like to come here

every day," said Faith, as they struck into the London road again. "If

Stonnington is as nice as this, Mr. Scudamore must be happy there."

"Well, we shall see," her father answered. "My business has been upon

the coast so much, that I know very little about Stonnington. But

Scudamore has such a happy nature that nothing would come much amiss to

<<BackPagesTo menuNext>>