Mr. Holmes accepted a seat with the ladies; Charley and Arthur were on horseback. It is doubtful if one of the merry riders realised, for an instant, the sacredness of the day, or that they were bound to a place of worship. It did not occur, even to Dr. Carleton, that their glee, innocent and proper upon ordinary occasions, now verged upon sinful levity. He saw in it, the buoyancy of youth under the influence of agreeable company, and a cloudless day. They would be subdued by the exercises of the sanctuary; and he drove along, his large heart full of love and praise to Him who had showered these gem-sparkles into his chalice of life; the young people beguiling the length of their journey, by a running fire of badinage, puns and serio-comic discussions; embarked, to all intents and purposes, upon a party of pleasure. "Behold Rocky Mount!" said Arthur, pointing to a rising ground, tufted by a clump of oaks. "Where is the church?" inquired Ida. "I can distinguish people and horses, but no house." "After we get there, I will lend you my pocket microscope," responded Charley. The brown walls of a small building, in the centre of the grove, were visible, as the road wound around the hill; but its dimensions were as great a puzzle as its absence would have been. Carry came to her aid. "They preach out of doors, my dear." "Out of doors!" this was a charming novelty. "'The groves were God's first temples,'" she repeated softly, and Lynn continued the noble lines-- "Ah, why Should we, in the world's riper years, neglect God's ancient sanctuaries, and adore, Only among the crowd, and under roofs That our frail hands have raised?" Charley smiled dubiously, but held his peace. The crowd thickened with their advance. Horses were tethered in solid ranks to the trees; children straying frightfully near to their heels; wagons and carriages almost piled upon each other; and men, white and black, stood about everywhere. The driver reined up, twenty yards from the arbor erected under the trees. "Drive up nearer, Tom!" said Carry. "He cannot," replied Arthur, letting down the steps. "Look!" There was a quadruple row of vehicles on three sides of the arbor, the fourth being, at considerable pains, left open for passage. Several young men dashed to the side of the carriage, with as much empressment as at a ball, and thus numerously attended, the girls picked their way through the throng and dust. No gentlemen were, as yet, in their seats, and our party secured a vacant bench midway to the pulpit. "Don't sit next to the aisle," whispered Arthur. "Why not?" questioned Ida, removing to the other extremity of the plank. "Oh! it is more comfortable here. We will be with you again presently." "That is not all the reason," remarked Carry, when he was gone. "This railing protects us from the press on this side; and our young gentleman will not permit any one to occupy the stand without, but themselves." "Will they not sit down?"