They chatted on about the view and the beauties of the neighborhood, and they all laughed often at some sally of Cora's--no one could resist her joyous, bubbling good-fellowship. She had all the sparkle of her clever nation, and the truest, kindest heart. Halcyone had never spoken to another young girl in her life, and felt like a yearling horse--a desire to whinny to a fellow colt and race up and down with him beside the dividing fence of their paddocks. A new light of youth and sweetness came into her pale face. "I do wish I might ask you to come round by the road," she said, "and see it near, but, as Mr. Derringham knows, my aunts are very old, and one is almost an invalid now, so we never have any visitors at all." "Of course, we quite understand," said Cora, quickly, touched at once by this simple speech. "But we should so love you to come over to us." "Alas!" said Halcyone, "it is indeed the Styx." And here they arrived at the boarded-up gate, where further view was impossible, and from which onwards the lands ceased to join. "Good-by!" they called to one another, even Arabella Clinker joining in the chorus, while Cora Lutworth ran back to say: "Some day we'll meet--outside the Styx. Let us get Mr. Derringham to manage it!" And Halcyone cried a glad "Oh, yes!" "What a darling! What a perfect darling!" Miss Lutworth said enthusiastically, taking Arabella's arm as they struck rapidly inward and up a knoll. "Did you ever see anything look so like a lady in that impossible old dress? Tell us about her, Mr. Derringham. Does she live with those prehistoric ladies all alone in that haunted house? Could anything be so mysterious and romantic? Please tell us all you know." "Yes, she does, I believe," John Derringham said. "My old master tells me she never sees or speaks to anyone from one year's end to another. I have only met her very rarely myself." "Does it not seem too awful?" returned Cora, aghast, thinking of her own merry, enjoyable life, with every whim gratified. "To be so young and attractive and actually buried alive! Don't you think she is a dream, Arabella?" "I was greatly impressed with her distinction and charm," Miss Clinker said. "I wish we could do something for her to make things brighter." "Let us ask Cis--" and then Miss Lutworth paused, returning to her first thought--she knew her hostess well. No, it could not bring any pleasure into the life of this slender, lithe English lady with the wonderful Greek name, to be made acquainted with Cecilia Cricklander, who would tear her to pieces without compunction the moment she understood in what direction John Derringham's eyes would probably be cast. He saw Cora's hesitation and understood, and was grateful. "I believe this girl is trumps. I don't think she will even mention our meeting," he said to himself. Now for a few steps Miss Lutworth drew Arabella Clinker on ahead.