Cadurcis was in high spirits, and Lady Annabel scarcely less joyous.  Venetia smiled with her usual sweetness and serenity.  They congratulated each other on the charming season; and Mistress Pauncefort received a formal invitation to join the party and go a-nutting with one of her fellow-servants and his lordship’s valet.  The good Doctor was rather late, but he arrived at last on his stout steed, in his accustomed cheerful mood.  Here was a party of pleasure which all agreed must be pleasant; no strangers to amuse, or to be amusing, but formed merely of four human beings who spent every day of their lives in each other’s society, between whom there was the most complete sympathy and the most cordial good-will.

By noon they were all mounted on their steeds, and though the air was warmed by a meridian sun shining in a clear sky, there was a gentle breeze abroad, sweet and grateful; and moreover they soon entered the wood and enjoyed the shelter of its verdant shade.  The abbey looked most picturesque when they first burst upon it; the nearer and wooded hills, which formed its immediate background, just tinted by the golden pencil of autumn, while the meads of the valley were still emerald green; and the stream, now lost, now winding, glittered here and there in the sun, and gave a life and sprightliness to the landscape which exceeded even the effect of the more distant and expansive lake.

They were received at the abbey by Mistress Pauncefort, who had preceded them, and who welcomed them with a complacent smile.  Cadurcis hastened to assist Lady Annabel to dismount, and was a little confused but very pleased when she assured him she needed no assistance but requested him to take care of Venetia.  He was just in time to receive her in his arms, where she found herself without the slightest embarrassment.  The coolness of the cloisters was grateful after their ride, and they lingered and looked upon the old fountain, and felt the freshness of its fall with satisfaction which all alike expressed.  Lady Annabel and Venetia then retired for a while to free themselves from their riding habits, and Cadurcis affectionately taking the arm of Dr. Masham led him a few paces, and then almost involuntarily exclaimed, ’My dear Doctor, I think I am the happiest fellow that ever lived!’

‘That I trust you may always be, my dear boy,’ said Dr. Masham; ’but what has called forth this particular exclamation?’

’To feel that I am once more at Cadurcis; to feel that I am here once more with you all; to feel that I never shall leave you again.’

‘Not again?’

‘Never!’ said Cadurcis.  ’The experience of these last few weeks, which yet have seemed an age in my existence, has made me resolve never to quit a society where I am persuaded I may obtain a degree of happiness which what is called the world can never afford me.’

‘What will your guardian say?’

‘What care I?’

‘A dutiful ward!’