They walked down-stairs and out on the piazza. Barlow stood before the
steps, holding by the bit a fine bay mare, who twitched her head round a
little at the sound of Libby's voice, and gave him a look. He passed
without noticing the horse. "I'm glad to find Mrs. Maynard so well. With
that cold of hers, hanging on so long, I didn't know but she'd be in an
awful state this morning."

"Yes," said Grace, "it's a miraculous escape."

"The fact is I sent over to New Leyden for my team yesterday. I did n't
know how things might turn out, and you're so far from a lemon here, that
I thought I might be useful in going errands."

Grace turned her head and glanced at the equipage. "Is that your team?"

"Yes," said the young fellow, with a smile of suppressed pride.

"What an exquisite creature!" said the girl.

"ISN'T she?" They both faced about, and stood looking at the mare, and
the light, shining, open buggy behind her. The sunshine had the
after-storm glister; the air was brisk, and the breeze blew balm from the
heart of the pine forest. "Miss Breen," he broke out, "I wish you'd take
a little dash through the woods with me. I've got a broad-track buggy,
that's just right for these roads. I don't suppose it's the thing at all
to ask you, on such short acquaintance, but I wish you would. I know
you'd enjoy it: Come?"

His joyous urgence gave her a strange thrill. She had long ceased to