Back of the old stone house on the north side, the ground sloped down towards the lake; first grassy terrace and bank, then a large vegetable and fruit garden, terminating in a pasture and grove. The stable and carriage-house stood off to the left, and the place was somewhat carelessly kept, more like a farm than a residence; but an air of cosy comfort pervaded the whole, and the grounds seemed to be as full of chickens and ducks, cats and dogs, doves and sparrows, horses and cows, as the house was full of canary and mocking-birds, gold-fish, kittens, and plants, besides a large aquarium. Up from the back pasture, at this moment, two shadowy forms were stealing. As they drew nearer, sharp eyes might have discovered that they were two persons on horseback coming up from the road which ran east and west across the foot of the pasture. At the garden-fence they stopped, the gentleman dismounted and lifted the lady to the ground. It was Bessie Darrell and her cousin Hugh Warrington. "Hush, Hugh; don't make me laugh so! we shall be discovered," she said, as she gathered up her long skirt. "But it is such a good joke!" said Hugh, mounting his horse again. "Think of the fun we've had! And you ride like a little witch." "We can go again to-morrow night, can't we, Hugh?" "I suppose so; if you can get away unobserved." "Of course I can. Oh, it is such fun! I like it better than anything I ever did, Hugh; and you are a dear good fellow to teach me." "Teach you!" exclaimed Hugh, with a laugh; "that's good! Why, you took to it as a duck takes to water. What a glorious gallop we have had! By the way, Bessie, Gideon Fish would look well on horseback!" "Or Graham Marr," said Bessie laughing. "I do believe he is on the piazza with Sibyl this very moment." "If he is, I propose we extinguish him. Out, little candle," said Hugh, striking a dramatic attitude. "You won't be gone long, Hugh?" "No; the man will be waiting at the road." "Then I will run upstairs, lock up my riding skirt, and come down and wait for you." Bessie went through the garden and up to her room, while Hugh, riding one horse and leading the other, crossed the pasture and the grove, and gave them to a man who was waiting near the fence: he led them down the narrow road towards the west, for the old stone house was in the east suburb of Westerton, more than two miles from the business portion of the town.