“You have indeed been wrong, and very imprudent,” Mr. Howard answered; “and you have much reason to be grateful for the escape you have made. You are far too ignorant a horsewoman to be aware of the danger you exposed yourself to; but don’t let us talk of it any more at present; you have now got a lesson which I am sure you will not forget; keep close to us, my dear child, for you are still far too inexperienced to be trusted for a moment alone.” They now proceeded without further interruption. Mina was watching for them at the park gate, and ran by their side all up the approach, they walking their horses that they might keep pace with her, and Leila chatting to her as gaily as ever. Mrs. Herbert’s reception of them was all that was kind and affectionate, as she welcomed Leila to her second home; and in rambling with Charles and Mina all over the grounds, the day was passed in much enjoyment. The place was extensive and kept in the most beautiful order. Leila, however, did not admire it quite so much as Woodlands; but what interested her greatly was a small picturesque-looking church which stood in the grounds and its adjoining parsonage. With this scene she was delighted; and when Charles told her the parsonage would probably one day be his future home, as he wished to take holy orders, and the living was in his father’s gift, she thought she had never seen any thing so charming. “And it looks so comfortable,” she said, “so much nicer than a large house. How I wish Woodlands were no bigger than this parsonage!--how happy will you be, Charles, when you have such a house, and when I come to visit here--you will often ask Mina and me to come to tea, and you will let us make tea for you, time about, won’t you?--But, Charles,” she continued, “you are not so merry as you used to be, and you don’t say you would be happy to see us to tea--ah! I know what it is; you are angry with me.” “Angry with you, Leila?--oh, no! how can you think so?” “Yes, because I know I deserve it; it was so foolish of me to wish you to admire me, and to think you would.” “And do you think that would be so difficult, Leila?” he asked. “I don’t know; I don’t understand about that; but I know you should not--you should not admire any thing vain, and I should not wish it; and if you are to be a clergyman, you know, you should teach me to be meek and lowly in heart. I am sure my papa will be so glad when I tell him you are to be a clergyman; for he will think, as you grow taller and older, you will help him to make me better. But if you are not angry with me, Charles, why are you so grave?--you have not told me that; what can you be thinking about?--do tell us!” “I am thinking,” he answered, “how delightful all this is!” he continued; “and on Monday how the scene will be changed!” “And why changed?” she inquired. “Because on Monday I return to school, and there, instead of having you and Mina to talk to, I shall be surrounded by a parcel of such noisy fellows.”