Again she stretched, again she bent,
Nor knew the gulf between.'--GRAY.


It all seemed like a dream to Ursula, perhaps likewise to her mother,
when they rose to the routine of daily life with the ordinary
interests of the day before them. There was a latent unwillingness
in Mrs. Egremont's mind to discuss the subject with either aunt or
daughter; and when the post brought no letter, Ursula, after a
moment's sense of flatness, was relieved, and returned to her eager
desire to hurry after the water-soldier. It was feasible that very
afternoon. Mary Nugent came in with the intelligence.

'And can Gerard come? or we shall only look at it.'

'Yes, Gerard can come, and so will Mr. Dutton,' said Mary, who,
standing about half-way between Mrs. Egremont and her daughter, did
not think herself quite a sufficient chaperon.

'He will look on like a hen at her ducklings,' said Nuttie. 'It is
cruel to take him, poor man!'

'Meantime, Nuttie, do you like an hour of "Marie Stuart?"'

'Oh, thank you!' But she whispered, 'Aunt Ursel, may I tell her?'

'Ask your mother, my dear.'

Leave was given, half reluctantly, and with a prohibition against
mentioning the subject to any one else, but both mother and aunt had