and the more charming from the dreamy silence in which she gazed.
When Felix came up to the slit through which the bright eyes gleamed,
and asked whether she were comfortable and liked it, her answer was a
long-drawn gasp from the wells of infinite satisfaction, such as set
him calculating how many drives in a bathchair the remnant of his
birthday gift would yet produce.

But there were greater delights, corn-fields touched with amber,
woods sloping up hills, deep lanes edged with luxuriant ferns,
greenery that drove the young folk half mad with delight, and made
them scream to be let out and gather--gather to their hearts'
content. Only Mamma recommended not tiring themselves, but trusting
that Centry Park would afford even superior flowers to those they
passed.

They reached the lodge gate at last. They were known, for the Castle
had been long untenanted, and they, like other inhabitants of Bexley,
had from time to time enjoyed themselves in the Park, but to-day
there was a shadow of demur. The gentleman who was going to buy the
place was looking over it--but surely--

Horror began to spread over the inmates of the van.

'But did you come by appointment, sir?' added the gatekeeper's wife,
coming out; 'the gentleman's name is Mr. Underwood.'

Mr. Underwood was obliged to disclaim any appointment; but he looked
round at the children's blank faces, and saw lips quivering, and eyes
gazing wistfully into the paradise of green shade, and added, 'If the
gentleman has not actually bought it, he could not object. We do not