'O, the rest of it is more than you think,' said Hazel. 'And it is a great way off. I should have to take you miles and miles. And I would rather—not.' He smiled at her, seeing the beautiful shyness that did not separate her from him, but only put such a bloom on the fruit—such a fragrance in the flower. He was content. The freedom and fearlessness of older affection would come in time, and it would be pleasant to see it come. He would not hurry her; indeed, as he once had told her he never asked for what he could not have, so neither did he care for what was enforced in the giving. Better a free smile than a kiss bestowed to order. He saw now that she was hardly ready for many things he had it in his heart to say. He could wait. The readiness was there, only latent. He played with the hand and the ring while he was thinking these things. But now all through the old house rang out the sweet bugle call; signal for luncheon. No bells, as has been remarked, were heard at Chickaree. Just a moment's hesitation came over the young mistress, with visions of Dingee and possibilities of Mr. Falkirk, and one glance at her ring. Then she turned to Mr. Rollo, giving her timid invitation as she rose up. 'You will come?' she said,— and flitted off quick to lead the way, having no sort of mind to go in state. Rollo followed more slowly, smiling to himself. 'Do you often have company from the cottage at this time?' he inquired when he had again caught up with Wych Hazel in the dining room. 'Sometimes—but I gave Mr. Falkirk such a talk at breakfast that I shall hardly see him again before dinner. Dingee, where is the coffee? You know Mr. Rollo never touches chocolate.' 'Know dat_ sartain,' said Dingee; 'but Mas' Rollo come in so——' 'Go fetch the coffee,' said Hazel, cutting him short. Rollo remarked as he seated himself at the table, that he 'didn't feel as if he could stand Mr. Falkirk to-day.' 'He is very much the same as on most days,' said Hazel. 'I thought you always rather enjoyed "standing" him, Mr. Rollo?' 'It is becoming necessary for me to make so many statements,' said Rollo, 'that I am getting puzzled. I am very sorry for Mr. Falkirk. What sort of a talk did you give him?' 'Mr. Falkirk was so uncommonly glad to see me, that I should have been all sugar and cream if he had not beset me with business. As it was, I am afraid I—wasn't.' 'Not my business?' 'Your business? The mills?' '_Our_ business, then.' 'Hush!—No! I have not got any,' said Hazel, whose spirits and daring were beginning to stir just a little bit once more, though she felt a little frightened at herself when the words were out. 'Mr. Falkirk wanted to know my sovereign pleasure about retaking the house we had last winter.' 'I am very sorry for Mr. Falkirk!' Rollo repeated gravely. 'Do you think—by and by, when we have been married a year or two, and he is accustomed to it,—we could get him to come and make home with us!'