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In the spacious, handsoe

country-house, two ladies sat on a quiet evening in auturounds to the blue hills beyond

In the pale evening sky the crescentlike a silver boat, the

trees in the quiet air looked black as if drawn in ink In the grate a

large wood fire crackled, which the elder lady seemed much to enjoy as

she rubbed her hands one over another on her knee, and spoke in a low,

purring tone The younger occupant of the rooirl about twenty

years of age; she was fair and fragile-looking compared with her portly

companion, as rather florid in complexion

"Put your work away,too

dark for you to see"

"This is the last petal, auntie," said the girl, still bending her head

with its wealth of golden hair over her work At last with a satisfied

"There!" she laid it on the table and turned towards the bay ,

through whichknolls and clu

curves the well-kept drive leading to the high road

"You had better ring for the lights, Gwladys," said the elder lady, as

she settled herself to what she called "five enerally lasted till dinner-ti down the drive; what can it be, auntie?"