wanting, nor stinted; nor were the smart village dames at all backward in profiting by the refreshment, doubly acceptable after a three or four mile walk under a fierce midsummer sun.

To become communicative and hospitably inclined, even beyond ordinary, was the natural result.

So as they returned home in groups and couples, tea-tables were largely spread; and, while awaiting absent husbands, tongues wagged freely of all that had been seen, said, and done-those who had remained at home eager for every scrap of information there

upon.

"Thee should ha' seen Dickey Glossop; eh! he did look soft when steward sauced him for bringing so little. He eyed the money as though he'd a mind to take it back.”

"Poor Dickey! he's never a shilling scarce to bless hisself: it was a mercy he could bring that past the ale-house."

"They say as Mister Crichton, at the inn, is for taking the ale-house at Piert's Rest and making it into a grand place."

But all eyes were now turned upon one object-at all times one of peculiar interest in a country village. A well-packed van of goods came labouring slowly up the gravelly road. The furniture, where the coverings permitted it to be seen, appeared good and handsome; at the back of the cart sat a little boy and girl, who were gazing about them with all the curiosity of strangers.

"Who be that, think ye ?" cried a gossip, who had run up from her own door to join the confab.

“Eh, I canna tell.”

"Nor me," said another; "but the things look good, don't 'em ?"

All were straining their eyes, and stretching their necks, to follow the progress of the cart.

"It's gone past the Creek," said one, who had crossed the road to obtain a last glimpse; "and there's no houses past there, till you come to Piert's Rest."

"But there be never a house empty in Piert's Rest, and Mrs. Crump was telling me as not a room was to be had even, for love or money."

"Well, she's coming to tea wi' me this evening, and she's safe to know."

"Here be Master Sandford coming; he'll be like to know."

"Eh, wenches! but it be right warm," said the jolly farmer, as he drew near, abating something of his giant stride, and wiping his head and face. "And who be backbiting and evil-speaking of now? Tell us, then we'll know who be good and pretty for one." "Nay, Master Sandford, it's yon cart."

"Who be coming, do tell ?"

"Is it gentlefolk, Master Sandford ?"

"Well, well; ho! ho!" laughed the old man: "this be about the first time in my life as I known a lot o' women folk to be o' one mind. Them things? why, 'tis the new man from Lunnun, as is to set 'em all right at the buildings yonder; and to finish the church, and set up this grand hall they talks on."

Eh, sure! is that them ?"

"From London !"

"Eh, but they've good things!"

"And where are they going to be ?"

"At the small house as stands all to itself, wi' the trees about it-there beyond Piert's Rest-going on to Piert's Creek-hi' Birdiethorn."

"Birdiethorn!"

"Th' haanted place!"

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Aye, it will be haunted, I reckon, sure enow, wi' them two youngsters I see behind the cart but now."

“Eh! I would not-see, I would not live in that place-not if they'd pay me no end of money."

"Nor me; why, there's no one lived in it these six years, to my knowledge."

"They'd get it cheap," laughed the old farmer. "Cheap! my word, it would be dear at nought." "I wouldn't be in by day; and at night-Ugh!" They say there's a cave, or such like, goes right under the sea."

"Aye, and when the smugglers was here!"

"Aye, and in th' old times, when Piert's gang had it, many's the cruel murder's been there, and the bodies got shet of."

"I mind one tale of a lady as was throwed alive

"Nay! the lady, and she rises"

"Aye-All-hallows eve

"And the name isna Birdiethorn at a'-'tis Bludiethorn; at least it wur—

"Mrs. Darby! Mrs. Darby!" shouted the old farmer, with difficulty making himself heard above the tumult of excited tongues. "Your good man be nigh

handy by now; him and me left th' hall together, he'll be here in a crack."

"Eh! sakes, and my fire's out, for sure!" and away skeltered Dame Darby.

"Here's your master," said the mistress of the house, as a group of men turned the corner; tell him, you and him's to tea with me; Mrs. Crump should be here by now."

Eh, there's my chap," said another.

"And mine."

"And mine."

The group of gossips dispersed like a covey of partridges.

"Ha! ha!" laughed the old farmer, as he strode on. "Talk of ghosts-I wonder, now, if all the ghosts, as ever was born or thought on, did a body half the mischief as the blessed tongues o' these women folk. A house, or a human creature, one o' themselves, be all one; they'll not leave it so much as its name, an' they can help it; and, dear heart, I reckon we men folk catches it now and again above a bit, Lord help us! ha! ha!"

THE cart kept on its leisurely course; over the small bridge which spanned the "Creek;" through the beautiful and more exclusive quarter of " Piert's Rest," with its mingling of quaint farm-house and ancient stone buildings, modernised and beautified by the taste of wealthy occupants, with now and again a cottage orné half buried in trees, and pleasant glimpses here and there of flower-beds, rustic arbours and all the belongings of wealth and luxury. But all seemed slumbering under the sultry rays of an unclouded summer sun. A straw hat, a green parasol, a white dress, did occasionally gleam out from the thickest of these shady coverts; where some fair reader had, perhaps, stolen away to enjoy a favourite book; but these were rare objects: all was so still, the lazy wash of the waves upon the beach, at some distance from this point, might be distinctly heard.

Even in the fields which lay on one side of the road for a short distance, the haymakers had rested from their task and slept under the spreading tree, whose