"And now go order the carriage to come round directly; and then bring me
a cup of coffee," said the lady, rising to adjust her own dress.

Phoebe hurried off to obey, and soon returned, bringing a delicate
little breakfast served on a tray.

By the time the countess had drunk the coffee and tasted the rice
waffles and broiled partridge, the carriage was announced.

Mrs. Brudenell met her in the lower hall.

"Ah, Berenice, my dear, I am glad to see that you are going for an
airing at last. The morning is beautiful after the storm," she said.

"Yes, mamma," replied the countess, rather avoiding the interview.

"Which way will you drive, my dear?"

"I think through the valley; it is sheltered from the wind there.
Good-morning!"

And the lady entered the carriage and gave her order.

The carriage road through the valley was necessarily much longer and
more circuitous than the footpath with which we are so familiar. The
footpath, we know, went straight down the steep precipice of Brudenell
hill, across the bottom, and then straight up the equally steep ascent
of Hut hill. Of course this route was impracticable for any wheeled
vehicle. The carriage therefore turned off to the left into a road that
wound gradually down the hillside and as gradually ascended the opposite