“She must have been very old indeed, to be an authority on that subject.  Well, what was the reason?”

“She liked better to perch on the roof of th’ ark, and jabber over the drowning world; that was why.  So, ever after that, when a magpie flies across, turn back, or look to meet ill-luck.”

“That is to say the worst creatures are stronger than their Creator, and can bring us bad luck against His will.  And you call yourself a Christian?  Why this is Paganism.  They were frightened at ravens, and you at magpies.  A fig for your magpies! and another for your Gabriel hounds!  God is high above them all.”

“Ay, sure; but these are signs of His will.  Trouble and all comes from God.  And so, whenever you see a magpie, or hear those terrible hounds—­”

“Then tremble! for it is all to end in a bowl of punch, and a roaring fire; and Mr. Raby, that passes for a Tartar, being so kind to me; and me being in better spirits than I have been for ever so long.”

“Oh, miss!”

“And oh, miss, to you.  Why, what is the matter?  I have been in danger!  Very well; am I the first?  I have had an adventure!  All the better.  Besides, it has shown me what good hearts there are in the world, yours amongst the rest.” (Kissing her.) “Now don’t interrupt, but listen to the words of the wise and their dark sayings.  Excitement is a blessing.  Young ladies need it more than anybody.  Half the foolish things we do, it is because the old people are so stupid and don’t provide us enough innocent excitement.  Dancing till five is a good thing now and then; only that is too bodily, and ends in a headache, and feeling stupider than before.  But to-night, what glorious excitement!  Too late for dinner—­drenched with snow—­lost on a mountain—­anxiety—­fear—­the Gabriel hounds—­terror—­despair—­resignation—­sudden relief—­warm stockings—­delightful sympathy—­petted on every side—­hungry—­happy—­fires—­punch!  I never lived till to-night—­I never relished life till now.  How could I?  I never saw Death nor Danger near enough to be worth a straw.”

Jael made no attempt to arrest this flow of spirits.  She waited quietly for a single pause, and then she laid her hand on the young lady’s, and, fastening her eyes on her, she said quietly,—­

“You have seen him.”

Grace Carden’s face was scarlet in a moment, and she looked with a rueful imploring glance, into those great gray searching eyes of Jael Dence.

Her fine silvery tones of eloquence went off into a little piteous whine “You are very cunning—­to believe in a magpie.”  And she hid her blushing face in her hands.  She took an early opportunity of sending this too sagacious rustic to bed.

Next day Mr. Coventry was so stiff and sore he did not come down to breakfast.  But Grace Carden, though very sleepy, made her appearance, and had a most affectionate conversation with Mr. Raby.  She asked leave to christen him again.  “I must call you something, you know, after all this.  Mr. Raby is cold.  Godpapa is childish.  What do you say to—­’Uncle’?”