did not betray any burning desire to contradict him. She gave him
her hand--still with the withholding power in it, however, which
told Ralph that his hour was not yet come.

He bowed and kissed it--once, twice, thrice. And to him who had
never kissed woman before in the way of love, it was more than
many caresses to one more accustomed.

Then she took her way, carrying her hand by her side tingling with
consciousness. It seemed as if Ebie Farrish, who was at the
watering-stone as she passed, could read what was written upon it
as plain as an advertisement. She put it, therefore, into the
lilac sunbonnet and so passed by.

Ralph watched her as she glided, a tall and graceful young figure,
under the archway of the trees, till he could no longer see her
light dress glimmering through the glades of the scattered oaks.





CHAPTER XXVII.

THE OPINIONS OF SAUNDERS MOWDIEWORT UPON BESOMSHANKS.


Ralph Peden kept his promise just twenty-four hours, which under
the circumstances was an excellent performance. That evening, on
his return to the manse, Manse Bell handed him, with a fine