with a silent clasp, which spoke a world of feeling to the noble man
who sat regarding them over his book.

He had watched the scene we have described in silence, and with a sort
of philosophical thoughtfulness, using it as a means of studying the
souls of those two little girls. When Mrs. Farnham ceased speaking and
turned to him for concurrence in her mode of drawing out the
affections and settling the preliminaries of a life-time for that
little soul, he only answered by leaning from the window and calling
out.

"Ralph, draw up and let the horses have a rest under the shadow of
this high rock. Come, children, get out, and let's take a look around
us; your little limbs will be all the better for a good run among the
underbrush."

Suiting the action to his words, Judge Sharp sprang from the carriage,
took Isabel in his arms, set her carefully down, then more gently, and
with a touch of tenderness, drew Mary Fuller forward, and folded her
little form to his bosom.

"We will leave you to rest in the carriage, Mrs. Farnham," he said,
with off-hand politeness, as if studying that lady's comfort more than
anything on earth. "We will see what wild flowers can be found among
the rocks. Take care of yourself; that's right, Ralph, let the horses
wet their mouths at this little brook--not too much though, it is a
warm day. Now, Isabel, let's see which will climb this rock
first--you, or little Mary and I."

Isabel's eyes brightened through her tears. There was something in the