The nearest way to Graybridge lay across all that swelling sea of lovely meadow-land, and there were a good many stiles to be crossed and gates to be opened and shut, so the walk occupied some time; and Mr. Lansdell must have had business to transact in the immediate neighbourhood of Graybridge, for he walked all the way through those delicious meadows, and only parted with Isabel at a gate that opened into the high-road near the entrance of the town. "I suppose you often stroll as far as Thurston's Crag?" Mr. Lansdell said. "Oh yes, very often. It isn't too long a walk, and it is so pretty." "It is pretty. Mordred is quite as near to you, though, and I think that you would like the garden at Mordred; there are ruins, you know, and it's altogether very romantic. I will give you and Mr. Gilbert a key, if you would like to come there sometimes. Oh, by the bye, I hope you haven't forgotten your promise to come to luncheon and see the pictures, and all that sort of thing." No, Isabel had not forgotten; her face flushed suddenly at the thought of this rapturous vista opening before her. She was to see _him_ again, once more, in his own house, and then--and then it would be November, and he would go away, and she would never see him again. No, Isabel had not forgotten; but until this moment all recollection of that invitation to the Priory had been blotted out of Mr. Lansdell's mind. It flashed back upon him quite suddenly now, and he felt that he had been unduly neglectful of these nice simple-hearted Gilberts, in whom his dear good Raymond was so much interested. "I dare say you are fond of pictures?" he said, interrogatively. "Oh yes, I am very, very fond of them." This was quite true. She was fond of everything that was beautiful,--ready to admire everything with ignorant childish enthusiasm,--pictures, and flowers, and fountains, and moonlit landscapes, and wonderful foreign cities, and everything upon this earth that was romantic, and different from her own life. "Then will you ask Mr. Gilbert to accept an unceremonious invitation, and to bring you to the Priory to luncheon,--say next Tuesday, as that will give me time to invite my cousin Gwendoline, and your old friend Mr. Raymond, and the two little girls who are so fond of you?"