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Rh henceforth to be their home, but the house-maid had given them sufficient directions, and the coach stopped at the corner of a shadowy lane, which led to Sherban—a man and a cart were there stationed waiting their arrival.

It was a relief to the whole party to alight, weary alike of the perpetual motion and the confinement of the stage. The lane was green and shadowy, and the hedges filled with the sweetness of the late violets. A soft uncertain wind shook the branches, the only sound that disturbed the deep tranquillity of the scene. There were large clouds floating on the sky, but as yet the sunshine rested in all its brightness on the little open space that bordered the highway with its two old elms.

Mrs. Beaumont took the hand of the little Edith and sauntered a few paces along the turf, leaving Fanny to make all the necessary arrangements.

Poor child, for she was but a child in years, though the bitter cares of the world had come