It was a different man that walked on now by his side, talking freely, in the rough independent way of the natives of his part; people who never thought of saying _Sir_, or touching their hat to any man--save and excepting the tradespeople, who contrived a salute to the wealthier families or clergy of the neighbourhood. He laughed as he talked of the peculiarities of Jacky this or Sammy that, and was in the midst of a speech about how parson would find "some of 'em rough uns to deal wi'," when he stopped short, set his teeth, drew in a long breath, and was in an instant an altered man. The Reverend Murray Selwood saw and interpreted the change in a moment. "Oh, 'tis love, 'tis love, 'tis love that makes the world go round," he said to himself; and he looked curiously at the little group upon which they had suddenly come on turning round by a group of weather-beaten, grey-lichened rocks. There were two girls, one of whom was more than ankle-deep in a soft patch of bog, while the other was trying very hard to reach her and relieve her from her unpleasant predicament. Danger there was none: a good wetting from the amber-hued bog water being all that need be feared; but as the corner by the rocks was turned it was evident that the spongy bog was now rapidly giving way, and if help were to be afforded it must be at once. The young workman hesitated for a moment, and then half turned away his head, but the vicar ran forward as the maiden in distress cried sharply-- "Oh Daisy, Daisy, what shall I do?" "Let me help you out," said the vicar, smiling. "Why, it is soft here," he cried, as he went in over his knees, but got one foot on a tuft of dry heath and dragged out the other, to plant it upon a patch of grass. "Don't be alarmed. There, both hands on my shoulder. That's right. Hold tight, I've got you. Why you were sinking fast, and planting yourself as a new kind of marsh flower--and--there, don't shrink away, or we shall be both planted--to blossom side by side. It _is_ soft-- that's better--now lean all your weight on me, my dear--not that you're heavy--now I have you--steady it is--that's better." As he kept up this running fire of disconnected words, he contrived to drag the girl out of the soft bog, placing his arm well round her waist, and then carried her in his arms, stepping cautiously from tussock to tussock till he placed her blushing and trembling beside her companion, who had retreated to the firm ground. "Oh, thank you. I am so much obliged," stammered the girl, as her long lashes were lowered over her pretty hazel eyes, which shrank from the honest admiring gaze directed upon them. And truly there was something to admire in the pretty, innocent, girlish face with its creamy complexion, and wavy dark brown hair, several little tresses of which had been blown loose by the breeze on the hill-side.