"She must have gone down the lane," said Brother William--"down towards the river. Let's go and see." They went out together, with Martha making no scruple now about holding on by Brother William's sturdy arm. But though they walked nearly down to the river, Fanny was not there. "She'll be cross, and think we neglected her," said Martha. "I am sorry we went away." "I'm not," said Brother William, trying to be facetious for the second time that evening. "We've made half a dozen pounds o' butter, and a match." Martha shook her head. "Let's go back and see if she went up to the wood," cried Brother William. "She's reading somewhere," said Martha as they walked back, to find Fanny standing by the gate, looking slightly flushed and very pretty, ready to smile and banter them for being away so long. They soon ended the visit to the farm; for, after partaking of supper, and eating one of Brother William's own carefully grown lettuces, they walked slowly back, in the soft moist evening air, to the Rosery, when, during the leave-takings, Brother William said: "Fanny, Martha's going to be my wife." "Is she?" said Fanny indifferently. "Oh!" And then to herself: "Poor things! What a common, ordinary-looking woman Martha is. And Brother William--Ah, what a degrading life this is!" The degradation did not seem to affect the others, for Brother William's cheeks quite shone, and the high lights on Martha's two glossy smooth hands of hair seemed to be brighter than ever. "Good-night," said Brother William. "Good-night, Martha." "Good-night, William." "You'll keep a sharp eye on Fanny till I fetch you away; won't you?" "I always do, William; but I'm afraid her eyes are sharper than mine." "What do you mean?" he said quietly. "I'm afraid she's got a sweetheart." "Who is it?" said Brother William sternly. "I don't know yet. Sometimes I think it's a real one, and sometimes I think it's all sham--only one out of her magazines that she talks about; but I'm not sure." "Then look here, Martha: you've got to be sure," said Brother William, who was as business-like now as if he had been selling his hay. "You've got to make sure, and tell me, for I'm not going to have anybody play the fool with her. If any one does, there'll be something the matter somewhere;" and shaking his head very fiercely, Brother William strode away, giving a thump with his stick at every step along the road. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ END OF VOLUME ONE. Volume 2, Chapter I. AUNT SOPHIA VISITS THE CITY.