The cuckoo's note was at its best, between April tentativeness and midsummer decrepitude, and the reptiles in the sun behaved as winningly as kittens on a hearth.

Though afternoon, and about the same time as on the last occasion, it was broad day and sunshine when he entered Hintock, and the details of the Knap dairy-house were visible far up the road.

He saw Sally in the garden, and was set vibrating.

He had first intended to go on to the inn; but 'No,' he said; 'I'll tie my horse to the garden- gate.

If all goes well it can soon be taken round: if not, I mount and ride away' The tall shade of the horseman darkened the room in which Mrs.Hall sat, and made her start, for he had ridden by a side path to the top of the slope, where riders seldom came.