Mr. Trevor alighted, followed by Mr. Oldfield, who handed out his protege. They were before a low garden gate, surrounded by an arch all overgrown with honeysuckles, whose pendent tendrils kissed their heads in passing through. They entered by this a semi-circular walk, under a lattice work, covered with grape vines, and leading around to the front portico of the cottage, which was covered closely, as was the whole house, with a matted growth of running roses, clematis, jessamine, flowering ivy, and every description of beautiful and fragrant climbing vine. Within this green and blooming bower alight, in a shaded alabaster lamp, shone purely as a moon over the darkly-polished oaken door. The Rector drew the arm of his charge protectingly within his own, and led her into this portico, and rapped. His summons was answered by a neatly-dressed, red-cheeked, bright-eyed servant maid, who opened the door and smiled and courtesied on seeing her master; but immediately started and stared with open-mouthed wonder at the white-vailed form shrinking near him. “Come, come, Sarah my good girl, let us in! What are you thinking of? Your mistress is——” “Yes, sir, in the parlor!” exclaimed Sarah, recovering her self-command, and springing aside. “Show us in there.” “Yes, sir,” said Sarah, opening a door on the left side of the hall, and revealing one of the coziest of English home scenes. It was a medium-sized parlor of faultless neatness and cleanliness, comfortably carpeted and curtained; warmed by a glowing fire of seacoal, in a polished steel grate, that the chilly spring evening rendered acceptable; each side of this fire-place were deep recesses, from ceiling to floor, filled on the left by a tall book-case of favorite volumes, and on the right by a high cabinet of shells, minerals, ores, coins, medallions, storied old china, and other objects of vertu. Soft, deep sofas, easy chair, and foot-cushions, of various styles, to suit every need, and tables and stands for every reasonable parlor purpose, were conveniently arranged around. But perhaps the most attractive article of furniture was the neat tea-table that stood in the midst of the room, before the glowing grate, covered with a milk-white, ample damask table-cloth that reached the floor, and laden with its glistening service of silver-plate and white china.