But the father and mother assured him, in the firmest though the most affectionate manner, that at least one year, if not two, must elapse before they could consent to part with their daughter. Ishmael most earnestly deprecated the two years of probation, and finally compromised for one year, during which he should be permitted to correspond freely with his betrothed, and visit her at will. With this Ishmael rested satisfied. The remainder of the week passed delightfully to him. Mrs. Middleton took the children off Bee's hands for a few days, to leave her to some enjoyment of her lover's visit. And every morning and afternoon Ishmael and Bee rode or walked together, through the old forest or along the pebbly beach. Sometimes they had a sail to some fine point on the shore. Their evenings were passed in the drawing room, with Mr. and Mrs. Middleton, and were employed in music, books, and conversation. And so the pleasant days slipped by and brought the Sabbath, when all the family went together to the old Shelton church. Monday was the last day of his visit, and he passed it almost exclusively in the society of Bee. In the evening Mr. and Mrs. Middleton left them alone in the drawing room, that they might say their last kind words to each other unembarrassed by the presence of others. And on Tuesday morning Ishmael mounted his horse and started for Brudenell. CHAPTER X. ISHMAEL AT BRUDENELL God loves no heart to others iced, Nor erring flatteries which bedim Our glorious membership in Christ, Wherein all loving His, love Him. --_M. F. Tupper_. It was a long day's ride from the Beacon to Brudenell Hall. The greater length of the road lay through the forest. It was, in fact, the very same route traversed, five years before, by Reuben Gray, when he brought Hannah and Ishmael from the Hill Hut to Woodside. Ishmael thought of that time, as he ambled on through the leafy wilderness. At noon he stopped at a rural inn to feed and rest his horse, and refresh himself, and an hour afterwards he mounted and resumed his journey. It was near sunset when he came in sight of the bay and the village to which it gave the name of Baymouth. How well he remembered the last time he had been at that village--when he had run that frantic race to catch the sleigh which was carrying Claudia away from him, and had fallen in a swoon at the sight of the steamer that was bearing her off. How many changes had taken place since then! Claudia was a viscountess; he was a successful barrister; their love a troubled dream of the past. He rode through Baymouth, looking left and right at the old familiar shops and signs that had been the wonder and amusement of his childhood; and at many new shops and signs that the march of progress had brought down even to Baymouth.