The person who occupied the transverse corner to herself was a handsome young man, who had joined the Silverton coach, from the mansion of a gentleman in the neighbourhood, to which, however, he was himself quite a stranger; and having in vain tried to get sight of the features concealed by the long crape veil beside him, he took to watching those no way concealed by the short crape veil opposite. "Mother and daughter, of course," thought he. "A young specimen, without rouge or moustache, would not be amiss." Mrs. Barnaby perceived he was looking at her, and settled her features into dignified but not austere harmony. "It is very pleasant travelling this morning, ma'am," said the young man. "As pleasant as a stage-coach can be, I imagine; ... but I am so little accustomed to the sort of thing that I am not a very good judge. Do you know, sir, where the coach stops for dinner?" "I cannot say I do; I never travelled this road before." "Then you are not a resident in the neighbourhood?" "No, ma'am, quite a bird of passage. It is the first time I have ever been in Devonshire. It seems to be a beautiful county indeed." "Very!"... Mrs. Barnaby heartily hoped that no comparisons would follow, as it was not at all her intention to confess, either on the present or any future occasion, that she had never seen any other; and she therefore rather abruptly changed the conversation by adding, "Do you know, sir, whether there are many outside passengers?... I hope my maid will not be annoyed in any way.... It is the first time I ever put her outside a coach!" "Poor woman!" thought the young man--"lost her husband, and her money with him, I suppose. I must contrive to look at this tall, slender girl, though." But Agnes seemed little disposed to give him any opportunity of doing so, for she continued to keep her eyes fixed on the scene without, thus very nearly turning her back on her curious neighbour. Mrs. Barnaby's first act of active chaperonship was a very obliging one; she perceived the young man's object, and not having the slightest inclination to conceal the beauty of Agnes, which she held to be one of the many advantages with which she was herself surrounded, she said,-- "My dear Agnes, do look at that pretty cottage; it is a perfect picture of rural felicity!"