many unquestionable apparitions might be accounted for.  Dr. Masham, following this train, recounted a story of a ghost which had been generally received in a neighbouring village for a considerable period, and attested by the most veracious witnesses, but which was explained afterwards by turning out to be an instance of somnambulism.  Venetia appeared to be extremely interested in the subject; she inquired much about sleep-walkers and sleepwalking; and a great many examples of the habit were cited.  At length she said, ’Mamma, did you ever walk in your sleep?’

‘Not to my knowledge,’ said Lady Annabel, smiling; ’I should hope not.’

‘Well, do you know,’ said Plantagenet, who had hitherto listened in silence, ’it is very curious, but I once dreamt that you did, Lady Annabel.’

‘Indeed!’ said the lady.

‘Yes! and I dreamt it last night, too,’ continued Cadurcis.  ’I thought I was sleeping in the uninhabited rooms here, and the door opened, and you walked in with a light.’

‘No!  Plantagenet,’ said Venetia, who was seated by him, and who spoke in a whisper, ‘it was not—­’

‘Hush!’ said Cadurcis, in a low voice.

‘Well, that was a strange dream,’ said Mrs. Cadurcis; ’was it not, Doctor?’

‘Now, children, I will tell you a very curious story,’ said the Doctor; ‘and it is quite a true one, for it happened to myself.’

The Doctor was soon embarked in his tale, and his audience speedily became interested in the narrative; but Lady Annabel for some time maintained complete silence.

CHAPTER XI.

The spring returned; the intimate relations between the two families were each day more confirmed.  Lady Annabel had presented her daughter and Plantagenet each with a beautiful pony, but their rides were at first to be confined to the park, and to be ever attended by a groom.  In time, however, duly accompanied, they were permitted to extend their progress so far as Cadurcis.  Mrs. Cadurcis had consented to the wishes of her son to restore the old garden, and Venetia was his principal adviser and assistant in the enterprise.  Plantagenet was fond of the abbey, and nothing but the agreeable society of Cherbury on the one hand, and the relief of escaping from his mother on the other, could have induced him to pass so little of his time at home; but, with Venetia for his companion, his mornings at the abbey passed charmingly, and, as the days were now at their full length again, there was abundance of time, after their studies at Cherbury, to ride together through the woods to Cadurcis, spend several hours there, and for Venetia to return to the hall before sunset.  Plantagenet always accompanied her to the limits of the Cherbury grounds, and then returned by himself, solitary and full of fancies.

Lady Annabel had promised the children that they should some day ride together to Marringhurst, the rectory of Dr. Masham, to eat strawberries and cream.  This was to be a great festival, and was looked forward to with corresponding interest.  Her ladyship had kindly offered to accompany Mrs. Cadurcis in the carriage, but that lady was an invalid and declined the journey; so Lady Annabel, who was herself a good horsewoman, mounted her jennet with Venetia and Plantagenet.