"How healthy you look, Richard!" said he, contemplating the young man. "I am glad to see you have not been spoiled by the seething atmosphere of modern city life."
"You know, doctor, I have a natural antipathy to all swamps and morasses."
"That is right, Richard; preserve a healthy naturalness."
"We expected you this morning."
"And would go to the station to bring me. Why this ceremony? I am here, and I will enjoy for a few weeks the pure, bracing mountain air. Our arrangements will be as formerly—not so, my dear friend?"
"I am at your service."
"You have, of course, discovered some new points that afford fine views?"
"If not many, at least one—the weather cross," answered Frank. "A beautiful position. The hill stands out somewhat from the range. The whole plain lies before the ravished eyes. At the same time, there are things connected with that place that are not without their influence on me. They refer to a custom of the ultramontanists that clashes with modern ideas; I will have an opportunity of seeing whether your opinion coincides with mine."
"Very well; since we have already an object for our next walk—and this is according to our old plan—tomorrow after dinner at three o'clock," and saying this he glanced wistfully at the old folio. Frank, smiling, observed the delicate hint and retired.
To Be Continued.