The cavalcade now turned into one of the narrow lanes so charming in Devonshire. It was early, and the road lay in such a direction that the sun had not yet peeped over the top of the high bank and hedge. The lane was therefore perfectly cool and shady, and the young people turned round and congratulated each other on the change from the dusty high road. Ferns, mosses, foxgloves, and wild flowers of all descriptions, grew luxuriantly, and the children began to fill their hands with them, as though they could not help it. Nellie did not attempt to pick any more flowers, but walked on soberly thinking. Not unhappily; in those few moments of quiet, she had lifted her heart to her Heavenly Father; she had reminded Him that He had promised to comfort those that mourn, and asked Him to fulfil His word to Mrs. Elliot; and then she had gone on content that it would be well. They now made their second change, and Wilmot said they had accomplished half the journey. Mrs. Elliot produced some buns, and they all sat down to rest for a few minutes. The pony was allowed to turn his head to the patch of dewy green grass by the side of the lane, and enjoy himself like the rest. "Will you come and look at something?" said Wilmot, addressing Nellie; "one of our Devonshire treasures?" Nellie followed him to a little break in the bank, and he stepped down suddenly, and turning round, held out his hand. "It is worth seeing," he said, smiling. So Nellie gave a light spring, and found herself in a deep shady nook, with lovely ferns growing in the greatest profusion, broken stones lying scattered about, and that indescribable smell which belongs to verdant damp vegetation. The sound of trickling water added to the charm, and Nellie uttered an exclamation of delight. "It is lovely, isn't it?" said Wilmot, looking up in her face. "It seems to quiet the soul, and lead one far away from the turmoil of life." "Yes; I was thinking so," she answered. "I was almost wishing I could stay here always; and then I remembered that it would be but a poor life after all, Miss Arundel." "Yes; and I believe that all those wishes of ours come from a discontented spirit." "I daresay they do; and instead of wishing something impossible, we should rather delight that the great Maker of all things gives these lovely bits of nature to refresh us." "Is it good water?" asked Nellie, stooping and putting her hand in. "Oh dear, yes. See, I have brought this glass to fill for the others. Will you have some first?" "How beautifully cool," she exclaimed. "Here you are!" called George Elliot from above. "Are you never coming with the water?" "All in good time," answered Wilmot. "I'm showing Miss Arundel the beauties of our neighbourhood." Nellie made her way across the damp stones to the mouth of the dell. "Wait a moment," called Wilmot; "you do not know how to get up."