In a moment they gave a cry of delight. Edith Dunmore had stepped from behind a thicket, and, stooping, had put her arms around the children and was kissing them. The cunning crow walked hither and thither and picked at the dead leaves and chattered like a child at play. "Oh, it has been such a long time!" said "the beautiful lady," looking fondly into the faces of. the little folk. "Where is he?" "Over there," said Socky, pointing in the direction of the canoe. "I'll go and tell him." "No," the maiden whispered, holding the boy closer. "He wants to see you," said the boy, "Me?--he would like to see me?" she asked. "He wants you to go home with us," the boy went on, as if he were a kind of Cupid--an ambassador of love between the two. He felt her hair curiously and with a sober face. "He has a beautiful watch an' chain," said Socky. "An' a gol' pencil," said Sue. "He's rich," the little Cupid urged, in a quaint tone of confidence. "What makes you think he wants me?" the girl asked. "He told Uncle Silas--didn't he, Sue?" The face of Edith Dunmore was now glowing with color. She drew the children close together in front of her. "Don't tell him--don't tell him I am here," said she, under her breath, as she trembled with excitement. "He wouldn't hurt anybody," Sue volunteered. The pet crow had wandered in the direction of the canoe. Catching sight of Master, he ran away cawing. The young man started slowly up the trail. For a moment the girl hid her face behind the children. As he came near she rose and timidly gave him her hand. Quickly she turned away. His hand had been like those of the children--its touch had stirred new and slumbering depths in her. "If--if you wish to be alone with the children," he said, "I--I will go fishing." For a little she dared not look in his face. But since her talk with Miss Strong she was determined not to run away again for fear of him. She stood without speaking, her eyes downcast. "You do want her--don't you, Uncle Robert?" said the youthful ambassador. "You--you mustn't ask me to tell secrets," said the young man, as he turned away with a little laugh of embarrassment. "Is your father at home?" he asked. "He will return Saturday." "If he were willing, would--would you let me come to see you?" She hesitated, looking down at the green moss. "I--I think not," said she. "You are right--you do not know me. But, somehow, I--I feel as if I knew you very well." "Where do you live?" "At Clear Lake in the summer--in New York City the rest of the year." "I have never seen a city," said she, turning and looking up at him. "My father has told me they are full of evil men." "There are both good and evil." "Do you live in a palace?" "It is a very large house, although we do not call it a palace." "Tell me--please tell me about it."