We paused at the wicket gate.
"I was endeavouring to make out that inscription this morning, Colonel," said I.
"You can almost read it now, the moon shines so full upon it," observed Kate. "If you knew the text you would have made it out at once. See, at this side there is the Beati mundo corde quite plain, and round here can you not trace Deum videbunt?"
"Ah, yes; of course, now you point it out."
"This is the proper light to read it by," said Miss Vernon, thoughtfully, "and do you know I sometimes like to think the entrance to our house is, as it were, sanctified by that beautiful sentence—'Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God!'"
"Ah, enthusiast!" said her grandfather, laughing and shaking his head, "Dragoons do not quite comprehend such fancies."
I could see the soft colour mount into her cheek as if she had betrayed herself.
"Do you believe him, Miss Vernon?" I asked eagerly.
"I do not know; good night."
"Good night, Egerton, you dine with us to-morrow; you can take the train to Carrington afterwards, you know."