CHAPTER X.

They

Who journey thither, find themselves alone

With a few sheep, with rocks, and stones, and kites, That over-head are sailing in the sky.

It is, in truth, an utter solitude.

WORDSWORTH.

THE weather on the succeeding day was tolerably propitious for the various projected excursions, and the parties were, at first, arranged as had been proposed. The gentlemen started on their expedition about four o'clock, expecting to occupy at least

three hours in their walk. But Mrs. Woodbridge and Flora were delayed much beyond what they had anticipated; for Mr. Graham had received that morning a note requesting his help the next day, in a neighbouring church, and he had a sermon to prepare which occupied a considerable time.

Mrs. Woodbridge was the most patient of sisters, but he did not like to keep her waiting, and finally persuaded her to set out for her walk without him; declaring that the notion of interfering with her plans fidgeted him so, that he could do nothing under such circumstances.

Consequently, the two ladies started together, and taking the way towards the Serpentine Valley, they bravely resolved to reach the summit of the North Hill, in defiance of the brisk breeze, which threatened to make it somewhat unpleasant at that elevation.

The road round the northern side of the hill, by the Ivy Rock, is, perhaps, less picturesque than many of the other paths in the neighbourhood; it certainly is much less frequented; Mrs. Woodbridge and Flora did not meet a single individual from the time when, leaving the donkey-boys behind them, they turned up the steep, rocky path which ascends somewhat abruptly from the Serpentine Valley, and its glittering little stream.

They remarked on the loneliness and stillness of the scenery when they had passed the last house of the village, and as they walked on, Flora began relating to her companion some of her travels in Scotland, and contrasting the green and luxuriant appearance of the country beneath them, the orchards, and woody knolls, the rich corn fields, and the many scattered villages in

sight, with the bare and barren mountains over which she had passed in the north, their stern outline, rugged features, and air of grand desolation.

Then they fell into a discourse about some of their companions, and began comparing their relative opinions respecting the different individuals in the house; but Mrs. Woodbridge was cautious in expressing what she thought, although Flora was extremely anxious to obtain from her, what she considered a proper censure of Louisa Grant, and one or two other persons whom she disliked.

One thing, however, the elder lady did say, that she thought it was not safe to express opinions before Miss Grant, on any topic, which you would not wish to have circulated :

"I have heard her," said she, "repeat

things which were not intended to go beyond the circle in which they were said; and it might be accident or thoughtlessness in doing so, but she has so entirely altered the tone and manner of saying trifles, as to give rise to false impressions regarding the meaning of the speaker."

"I can easily believe it," cried Flora, “I cannot bear her myself, and was very sorry when she came here. In such society as that in which we live, Astley is always saying we cannot be too cautious; but caution is not my nature, and I am afraid I often put myself more in her power than I could wish."

Mrs. Woodbridge smiled.

"If you could learn to practice your cousin's lessons, you might derive some benefit from your visit here, Miss Denys; it is a strange, idle way of living, and may lead to gossiping