"I chanced to overhear Lady Vincent say to her father--that she was alone. That was all. I did not even see her ladyship." "Well, now, that's another rum go. Didn't wait to see her. And you sich friends? Owtch! Oh! Ah! What's that for, Hannah? You've trod on my toe and ground it a'most to powder! Ah!" "If your foot is as soft as your head, no wonder every touch hurts it!" snapped Mrs. Gray. "Law, what a temper she have got, Ishmael!" said poor Reuben, carressing his afflicted foot. Hannah had effected the diversion she intended, and soon after gave the signal for rising from the table. And she took good care during the rest of the evening that the subject of Lord and Lady Vincent should not be brought upon the tapis. The next morning being Monday, Ishmael accompanied Reuben in his rounds over his own little farm and the great Tanglewood estate, to see the improvements. The "durrum" cow and calf and the "shank-bye" fowls received due notice. And the first ripe bunches of the "hamburg" grapes were plucked in the visitor's honor. In the afternoon they went down to the oyster banks and amused themselves with watching Sam rake the oysters and load the cart. They returned to a late tea. It was while they were sitting out on the vine-shaded porch, enjoying their usual evening chat under the star-lit sky, that they heard the sound of approaching wheels. And a few moments afterwards a carriage drew up at the gate. Reuben walked up to see who was within it. And Ishmael heard the voice of Lord Vincent inquiring: "Is this the best road to Tanglewood?" "Well, yes, sir; I do s'pose it's the best, if any can be called the best where none on 'em is good, but every one on 'em as bad as bad can be!" was the encouraging answer. "Drive on!" said Lord Vincent. And the carriage rolled out of sight into the forest road. After all, then, the viscount had not absconded. He probably had missed the train. But why had he missed it? That was still the question. On Tuesday morning Ishmael took leave of Hannah and Reuben, promising to stop and spend another day and night with them on his return to Washington; and mounted on a fine horse, borrowed from Reuben, with his knapsack behind him, he started for the Beacon. It was yet early in the forenoon when he arrived at that cool promontory where the refreshing sea breezes met him. As he rode up to the house, that you know fronted the water, he saw Bee, blooming and radiant with youth and beauty, out on the front lawn with her younger sisters and brothers. Their restless glances caught sight of him first; and they all exclaimed at once: "Here's Ishmael, Bee! here's Ishmael, Bee!" and ran off to meet him. Bee impulsively started to run too, but checked herself, and stood, blushing but eager, waiting until Ishmael dismounted and came to greet her. She met him with a warm, silent welcome, and then, looking at him suddenly, said: "You are so much better; you are quite well. I am so glad, Ishmael!"