Mary started, but she did not lose her presence of mind, and her next glance showed her that the apparition was not alarming, and was nearly as much amazed as herself. It was a tall slight young man, in a suit of shepherd's plaid, with a fair face and graceful agile form, recalling the word debonnaire as she had yesterday heard it applied. In instant conviction that this was the truant, she put out her hand by the same impulse that lighted his features with a smile of welcome, and the years of separation seemed annihilated as he exclaimed, 'My cousin Mary!' and grasped her hand, adding, 'I hope I did not frighten you--' 'Oh no; but where did you come from?' 'Up a hill perpendicular, like Hotspur,' he replied, in soft low quiet tones, which were a strange contrast to the words. 'No, see here,' and parting the bushes he showed some rude steps, half nature, half art, leading between the ferns and mountain-ash, and looking very inviting. 'How delightful!' cried Mary. 'I am glad you appreciate it,' he exclaimed; 'I will finish it off now, and put a rail. I did not care to go on when I had lost the poor fellow who helped me, but it saves a world of distance.' 'It must be very pretty amongst those beautiful ferns!' 'You can't conceive anything more charming,' he continued, with the same low distinct utterance, but an earnestness that almost took away her breath. 'There are nine ferns on this bank--that is, if we have the Scolopendrium Loevigatum, as I am persuaded. Do you know anything of ferns? Ah! you come from the land of tree ferns.' 'Oh! I am so glad to exchange them for our home flowers. Primroses look so friendly and natural.' 'These rocks are perfect nests for them, and they even overhang the river. This is the best bit of the stream, so rapid and foaming that I must throw a bridge across for Aunt Catharine. Which would be most appropriate? I was weighing it as I came up--a simple stone, or a rustic performance in wood?' 'I should like stone,' said Mary, amused by his eagerness. 'A rough Druidical stone! That's it! The idea of rude negligent strength accords with such places, and this is a stone country. I know the very stone! Do come down and see!' 'To-morrow, if you please,' said Mary. 'Mamma must want me, and--but I suppose they know of your return at home.' 'No, they don't. They have learnt by experience that the right time is the one never to expect me.' Mary's eyes were all astonishment, as she said, between wonder and reproof, 'Is that on purpose?' 'Adventures are thrust on some people,' was the nonchalant reply, with shoulders depressed, and a twinkle of the eye, as if he purposed amazing his auditor.' 'I hope you have had an adventure, for nothing else could justify you,' said Mary, with some humour, but more gravity.