Innocent's eyes regarded him with quiet admiration.

"Yes, you are a thoroughly good boy," she said--"I have told you
so often. But--I'm not sure that I should always get on with
anyone as good as you are!"

She turned away then, and moved towards the house. As she went,
she suddenly stopped and clapped her hands, calling:

"Cupid! Cupid! Cu-COO-pid!"

A flash of white wings glimmered in the sunset-light, and her pet
dove flew to her, circling round and round till it dropped on her
outstretched arm. She caught it to her bosom, kissing its soft
head tenderly, and murmuring playful words to it. Robin watched
her, as with this favourite bird-playmate she disappeared across
the garden and into the house. Then he gave a gesture half of
despair, half of resignation--and left the orchard.

The sun sank, and the evening shadows began to steal slowly in
their long darkening lines over the quiet fields, and yet Farmer
Jocelyn had not yet returned. The women of the household grew
anxious--Priscilla went to the door many times, looking up the
tortuous by-road for the first glimpse of the expected returning
vehicle--and Innocent stood in the garden near the porch, as
watchful as a sentinel and as silent. At last the sound of
trotting hoofs was heard in the far distance, and Robin, suddenly
making his appearance from the stable-yard where he too had been
waiting, called cheerily,--