at their window, and saw that it was a beautiful morning, and that
the spring sunshine glowed upon the purple summits of the hills.
Agatha supposed there would be a pleasant walk to church; Paulina
said she had heard good accounts of the services in that part of the
country; Vera hoped that they would see what their neighbours were
like, and Thekla was delighted with the jolly garden and places to
scramble in.

On this first Sunday they were let alone to explore the garden before
the walk to church, which Magdalen foresaw would be a long affair
with Mrs. Best. After their decorous stillness at breakfast, it was
a contrast to hear the merry voices and laughter outside, but it
subsided as soon as she approached, though she did not hear the
murmured ripple, "Here comes maiden aunt! Behold--Quite a spicy
hat!"

In truth, Magdalen's hat was a pretty new one, not by any means
unsuitable to her age and appearance, and altogether her air was more
stylish than the country town breeding was accustomed to; her dress
perfectly plain, but well made.

Vera was perhaps the most sensible of the perfection of the turn-out;
Agatha chiefly felt that her more decorated skirt and mantle had
their inconveniences in walking through the red mud of the lanes,
impeded by books and umbrella, which left no leisure to admire the
primroses that studded the deep banks and which delighted Thekla in
the freedom of short skirts.

Magdalen herself had enough to do in steering along such a
substantial craft as poor Mrs. Best, used to church-going along a