"But why did it rock?" cried the old lady tremulously. "And look, look; there are only two of them there, and we are four at this end! We shall sink it, I'm sure." "Now, auntie, it's too bad of you to set up for a stout old lady, when you are as light as a cork," cried Scarlett, dropping his oar with a splash.--"Ready, Jack?" "Ready, ay, ready," said the doctor, following suit; but his oar only swept the sedge. "Gently," said Scarlett; "don't break the oar.--That's better; now you have it," he said, as the head of the gig turned more and more, the doctor's oar took a good hold of the water; and in a few moments they were well out from the shore, the steady vigorous strokes sending them past the sloping lawn of the Rosery, which looked its best from the river. "There, aunt, see how steadily and well the boat goes," said Lady Scarlett. "Yes, my dear, but it doesn't seem at all safe." "Place looks pretty from the water, doesn't it, Arthur?" shouted Scarlett. "Delightful. A most charming home--charming, charming," said Prayle, lowering his voice with each word, till it was heard as in a whisper by those on the seat in front. "Don't feel afraid now, do you, auntie?" cried Scarlett to Aunt Sophia. "N-not quite so much, my dear. But won't you make yourself very hot and tired?" "Do him good, ma'am," said the doctor; "and me too.--Gently, old fellow, or you'll pull her head round. I'm not in your trim." Scarlett laughed, and pulled a little less vigorously, so that they rode on and on between the lovely banks, passing villa after villa, with its boat-house, lawn, and trimly kept garden. Then came a patch of trees laving their drooping branches in the stream; then a sweep of wood, climbing higher and higher into the background on one hand; while on the other the hills receded, leaving a lawn-like stretch of meadow-land, rich in the summer wild-flowers, and whose river-edge was dense with flag and sedge and willow-herb of lilac pink. The marsh-marigold shone golden, and the water-plantains spread their candelabra here and there. Great patches of tansy displayed their beautifully cut foliage; while in sheltered pools, the yellow water-lilies sent up their leaves to float upon the calm surface, with here and there a round green hall in every grade of effort to escape from the tightening scales to form a golden chalice on the silvery stream.