The long-deserted grounds were filled with labourers; the carpenters were busy at the fences; the house looked alive and stirring; the grooms were exercising the horses in the park,--all betokened the return of the absentee.

This seemed to denote that Maltravers had come to reside; and the rector thought of Caroline, and was pleased at the notion.
The next day was Cecilia's birthday,--and birthdays were kept at Merton Rectory; the neighbouring children were invited.

They were to dine on the lawn, in a large marquee, and to dance in the evening.

The hothouses yielded their early strawberries, and the cows, decorated with blue ribbons, were to give syllabubs.

The polite Caroline was not greatly fascinated by pleasure of this kind; she graciously appeared at dinner, kissed the prettiest of the children, helped them to soup, and then, having done her duty, retired to her room to write letters.