Mrs. Legrange slowly shook her head.

“I feel just as if that man could give me comfort.  I must see him.”

“Very well, dear:  if it will give you the slightest pleasure, you shall certainly do so.  Shall I send and invite him here? or do you think the journey to Ohio would be a pleasant variety for you?  Perhaps it might; and Teddy’s elaborately artless recommendation of the Neff House and the iron-springs is worthy of some attention.”

“Yes:  I will go there.  I think I should like the journey, and I don’t object to trying the springs; and I should like to see Theodore, and hear him talk about her.  And I am sure I shall not find Mr. Brown commonplace or obtrusive.”

“Very well, dear:  it shall be as you say.  When shall we go?  It will be very hot travelling now, I am afraid.”

“Oh, no!  I don’t mind.  But I don’t want to interfere with the Western excursion Theodore so modestly suggests; nor do I wish to go while he is away.  We will go in the middle of September, I think.”

“Yes, that will do, and will give you something to be thinking of meantime,” said Mr. Legrange, looking with satisfaction at the healthy animation of his wife’s face, as she re-read the portion of Teddy’s letter relating to Yellow Springs and the Neff House.

“And now,” said she, “go and send Mrs. Ginniss up to me to hear her letter too, that is, if you please; for, you humor me so much, I know I am growing tyrannical in speech as well as in act.”

Mr. Legrange stooped to kiss his wife’s cheek; and, to his eyes, the faint smile with which she repaid the caress was the fair dawn of a brighter day.

CHAPTER XXXIV.

The first chance.

Mr. Brown had been a week at Outpost, and, at breakfast one morning, announced his departure for the succeeding day.

“And if you feel able to ride so far, Dora,” continued he, “perhaps you will show me the way to the curious mounds we heard of from Dr. Gershom.”

“They are full ten miles from here, he said,” remarked Kitty disapprovingly.

“To-day is the 24th, isn’t it, Dora? the 24th of August?” inquired Karl; and Dora, if no other of his auditors, saw the connection between this remark and the proposed long ride with Mr. Brown.

“Yes, Karl; it is the 24th:  and I think we can make a party for the mounds, Mr. Brown.  Kitty, wouldn’t you like to go? and, Karl, can’t you take a holiday?  Sunshine might stay with Mehitable for once; mightn’t she?”

“No; because she speaks too loud, and through her nose:  but I’ll stay with Argus and the woods,” said Sunshine quietly.

“But have we horses enough?” asked Kitty with animation.

“That is easily settled,” interposed Karl eagerly.  “I will fix Sunshine’s pillion upon Major, and Dora can ride behind me.  Then Kitty can take Max, and Mr. Brown will ride his own horse.”