Why, let the stricken deer go weep, The hart ungalled play, For some must watch while some may sleep. So runs the world away.—SHAKSPEARE. It was always Mrs. Clifton’s rule to spend Christmas at home—so she arranged to leave Richmond on the twenty-third. It was three o’clock on the dark, cold, winter morning, that the stage called for them. Our travelers were muffled up to the ears in hoods, cloaks, shawls and furs, and when they entered the coach, they seemed to fill up all the back. It was so dark that they could see nothing, and the stage seemed to be vacant of other passengers than themselves; until Mrs. Clifton, settling her own outer garments, spoke, cautioning Catherine to fold her cloak carefully about her. Then another voice spoke, from the opposite seat, exclaiming, in a tone of surprise and pleasure— “Why, is it possible! Mrs. Clifton and Miss Kavanagh?” “Yes, Colonel Conyers, and I am as much pleased as surprised to find you here! How comes it that we are fellow travelers?” said the lady, placing her own in his offered hand. “And how-do-you-do, Miss Kavanagh?—really, I am so overjoyed to find you here! Why, you must know, my dear Mrs. Clifton, that I have been due at White Cliffs for several days. I am, in fact, the laggard of a party—but in truth I could not tear myself from Richmond, while you and Miss Kavanagh remained. But last night, after taking leave of you, as I supposed, for some length of time,—under great depression of spirits, Miss Kavanagh,—I sent and had a place taken in this stage, for L——, which I understand to be the nearest stage station to White Cliffs. Why, how little did I suspect that we were to travel by the same coach! Truly, ‘life is full of paper walls.’ A word dropped by either of us, last night, would have revealed the fact to the other! But how delighted I am, Miss Kavanagh! And may I hope, Mrs. Clifton, that our journey lies for some distance together?” “For the whole distance, I am happy to say. The plantation of White Cliffs and the farm of Hardbargain join. Our journey terminates at L——.” “Really! Why this is excellent! So, instead of being separated, we shall travel all the way together, and then continue to be neighbors for some weeks! Miss Kavanagh, I am overjoyed.” There was not much traveling at that season of the year, so our party of three had the coach to themselves, and Colonel Conyers devoted himself with great assiduity to the comfort of the ladies. At the end of the second day, just as the level beams of the setting sun were gilding all the village windows, the stage rolled into L——. There, before the little tavern door, waited Mrs. Clifton’s old-fashioned carriage. “Did you notify the family of White Cliffs of your intended arrival here to-day?” asked Mrs. Clifton, of Colonel Conyers.