She yielded utterly at that, but with a set of her lip which he had never seen before; it was trembling. She was turning to go on, when as if to make amends for that--or to ask forgiveness generally--or to give assurance of the trust he had claimed,--she stretched out her hand to him and went by his help again until the orchard was reached and other eyes might be expected to be on the look-out for them. "Do you like to read letters written from other countries by people you have never seen?" Mr. Linden said when they reached that point. Faith's eyes opened slightly as was their way when suddenly astonished, and a little colour started too, of surprise or pleasure. "I never did read any," she said,--"I _should_ like it." "Well, Miss Faith, I think Mrs. Derrick and Reuben can manage that brown horse--especially as he has had no oats to-day--and I want you to take possession of the whole of the back seat, put yourself in a comfortable position, and spend the rest of the daylight in Italy with my sister. When it gets dark you may go to sleep. And here is the talismanic paper by whose help you must make the journey." What a colour thanked him! what a rosy flush of pleasure and gratitude! To _say_ 'thank you' Faith nearly forgot. But it was said. There was no more delay of any kind after that. Wagons were ready, and baskets, and boys; also Mrs. Derrick; and Faith was ready first of all. So the two parties, now getting under weigh, went fairly homewards, by an evening sky and a night full of stars. Only one incident need be recorded. The ferry was passed, and four of the six miles between that and the central town of Pattaquasset, when Mr. Linden suddenly checked his horses. Turning half round, and laying a pretty imperative hand on the collar of Phil Davids, he dropped him outside the wagon--like a walnut from its husk--remarking that he had seen enough of him for one day, and did not wish to hear of him again till next morning. CHAPTER XI.