She could kneel thus and dream happy day-dreams, again and again--dreams of which she never tired, and all the time the sun shone down and glorified her luxuriant hair, gave beauty to her graceful form, and made the dark yew hedge glisten as if frosted with silver, the velvet lawn seem of golden green, and the great, red brick wall, that lay between her and the road, glow and show up the neatly-trained trees. A new life seemed to have dawned for her, and the sunshine brightened her darkened heart as she bent over and caressed the dog--lifting playfully first one and then the other of his long, soft, hairy ears to whisper with girlish glee: "Yes, some day, Bruno--some day he will come again." Then she looked round, almost with a guilty start, but only for the former restful look of happiness to come back. "Such a change, ma'am; such a change. Poor darling! If that other business had gone on, it would have broken her poor, dear heart." "Yes, Denton," said Mrs Hampton, as she went on knitting. And then to herself: "Well, somehow, it's very pleasant to be down here in the quaint old place." "What does the doctor say about Mr Saul, ma'am?" asked Denton another time, for there was nothing she enjoyed better than respectfully asking a few questions, and leading the lady guest of the place into a long chat. "That he is very bad, Denton." "Poor young man! Do you think I ought to go and nurse him, ma'am?" "No, Denton," said the old lady so decidedly, that the housekeeper started, and looked at her wonderingly. Their further conversation was stopped by the sound of Gertrude's voice singing as she came in from the garden, and the old housekeeper stood with her hands clasped, gazing towards the door. "Like a bird," she said softly--"like a bird. It does my old heart good to hear her sing again. Its just like old times, ma'am; while lately, since poor, dear old master's death and those marriage troubles came upon her, she has not been like the same." "She seems merry enough now, Denton." "Yes, ma'am," said the old woman, pausing at the door as she opened it, "she's merry enough now. And I know why--and I know why," she added to herself, with a pleasant little laugh. "Poor darling! If she marries now, it will be the man who has stolen away her heart." There was no news that evening when the lawyer came from town, seeming quite to have settled down now to the place, and making but rare references to his departure. Gertrude had just come in from a visit to Bruno, who had altered wonderfully during the past few days; and as she came in, it was plain to see the heart was light which animated her step, telling the thoughtful of the calm and satisfied waiting of the heart for that which was to be. "I thought Doctor Lawrence was coming down with you, Mr Hampton?" she cried. "Eh? Yes, my dear; but he preferred going and seeing a patient first. He said he'd catch the next train, and ought to be here as--There he is."