It was at first hard to realize the reasonable freedom suddenly in his possession.

The appearance of complete want of interest in his health and what he did was as useful a moral tonic as was for the body the educational out-of-doors' society of the fearless girl, his aunt's niece whom he was told to consider as his cousin.

To his surprise, he was free to come and go, and what he or Leila did in the woods or in the stables no one inquired.

Aunt Ann uneasy would have known all about them, but the Squire urged, that for a time, "let alone" was the better policy.

This freedom was so unusual, so unreservedly complete, as to rejoice Leila, who was very ready to use the liberty it gave.