May she ?" "Poor soul!--yes," John murmured, turning away.
Stepping out of sight, we saw the poor lady pass through the quiet, empty house into the children's bed-room.

We heard her smothered sob, at times, the whole way.
Then I went down to the stream, and helped John to saddle his horse, with Mrs.Halifax's old saddle--in her girlish days, Ursula used to be very fond of riding.
"She can ride back again from the Mythe," said John.

"She wishes to go, and it is best she should; so that nothing need be said, except that Lady Caroline spent a day at Longfield, and that my wife and I accompanied her safe home." While he spoke, the two ladies came down the field-path.

I fancied I heard, even now, a faint echo of that peculiarly sweet and careless laugh, indicating how light were all impressions on a temperament so plastic and weak--so easily remoulded by the very next influence that fate might throw across her perilous way.
John Halifax assisted her on horseback, took the bridle under one arm and gave the other to his wife.

Thus they passed up the path, and out at the White Gate.
I delayed a little while, listening to the wind, and to the prattle of the stream, that went singing along in daylight or in darkness, by our happy home at Longfield.