Scene 3. _Outside the Gate.

_Judge Hedelquiver._ “Ready, Monde?”

_Monde._ “Ready, uncle.”

_Judge Hedelquiver._ “Wait a moment. I want to tell you, Monde, that I overheard what you said to your aunt in the hall, this morning.”

_Monde._ “Did you, uncle?”

_Judge Hedelquiver._ “Yes; but never mind it: It was only a new proof that you are the most sensible girl in creation. It is just the way you ought to feel about it. What he will do of his own accord, let him do; but I will help you in this. I will take care that he don’t do any thing for you because he sees you in need of him.”

_Monde._ “You are the dearest, best uncle that any poor child ever had! Now, if you will help me.”

_Judge Hedelquiver._ “There you are! You mount as if you had some little wings up there among the plumes of your hat. I will bet you have.”

_Mr. Cullen, appearing at the door with a book in his hand._ “What, are you going to ride this morning, Miss Hedelquiver?”

_Monde._ “Yes, Mr. Cullen.”

_Mr. Cullen._ “And alone?”

_Monde._ “Yes, sir. Uncle, my stick, if you please.”

_Mr. Cullen, springing forward to pick up the stick._ “Now I protest against this! I have been thinking that I wanted to ride--and (laughing a little) that I wanted to ride with you. Let me help you off, now, for a few minutes. I will have John ready in--John is in the stable, isn’t he, judge?”

_Judge Hedelquiver._ “Yes, and at your service, if Monde will wait--if she wants you to go. You haven’t asked her.”

_Mr. Cullen._ “No! presuming blockhead that I am! Do you want me to go with you, Monde?”

_Monde._ “If you want to.”

_Mr. Cullen._ “As I most certainly do. Let me help you. Only I am sorry to give you so much trouble. I am sorry I didn’t know, in the first of it, that you were going. You will tell me next time, wont you?” (opening the gate for Monde to pass in.)

_Monde._ “I--I believe I sha’n’t promise you.”

_Mr. Cullen._ “Promise at any rate to let me know it, whenever you are willing to have me with you.”

_Monde, with the door half shut between her and him._ “I believe I sha’n’t promise that either.”

_Mr. Cullen, on his way, with the Judge, to the stable._ “Then I will always make you wait for me like this.”

Well, well! I see I might write all night, with my scenes first to twentieth, inclusive. But I sha’n’t. I shall go to bed, after I have told you that the morning ride was altogether delightful. I never knew such a splendid morning. I never had so agreeable a companion in ride, or ramble, or--I shall say it, Edith, for it is the truth--or any where. And I fancy that he found me--quite tolerable. One could not well be otherwise with him about.

We found company here when we returned--two of the professors from Woodstock, together with Judge Brentwood, and his wife and daughter, from Craftsburg. They all dined here; and things never went off so strongly. I sat by aunt, and helped her serve the guests. When I do this, and she can now and then look over the table into uncle’s always clear, calm face, and listen to his manly expression, she can know pretty well what she is doing, even if she does sometimes venture upon a little conversation.

While we were giving them our adieus at the door, two other sleighs came up with high-headed horses and loud-jingling bells, taking along fresh visitors to spend the rest of the day and the evening with us. They were wealthy farmers, who wanted to talk of horses and oxen, and different breeds of sheep, with uncle; and farmers’ wives, who talked with most interest with aunt, when it was upon butter and cheese, and preserves and bread-making. This, as you must see, left Mr. Cullen and me pretty much to ourselves. But we were at no loss. I can’t see how one can ever be at a loss with him; for his vigorous and fresh thought readily comprehends all the philosophy of nature, of morals, and of life; and he communicates himself, as it were, and all that is in him, so magically that--

But, see if I am going to write all night! A happy New Year, dearest. Extend the greetings of the season to all in your house.

Thy Loving Monde.