“You have had a long walk,” said Mrs. Asbury, looking up as the orphan entered.

“And look, for the universe, as if you had been ghost-seeing,” cried the doctor, wiping his spectacles.

“I would rather meet an army of ghosts than see what I have seen!” answered Beulah.

“Good Heavens!  In the name of wonder, what have you seen, child?  A rattlesnake or a screech-owl?”

He put his broad palms on his knees, and looked mockingly curious and startled.

“I have been out to see the old place, sir; found the gate broken down, the front yard full of cows, and everything going to destruction, except the trees and hedges.  Sir, it makes me feel very sad.  I can’t bear to have things go on this way any longer.  It must be rectified.”

“Bless my soul, that is easier said than done!  The place is a perfect owl-roost, there is no denying that; but it is no business of ours.  If Farley or his agent suffers the property to go to ruin, it is his loss.”

“But I love the place.  I want to save it.  Won’t you buy it, Dr. Asbury?”

“Won’t I buy it?  Why, what on earth do you suppose I should do with it?  I don’t want to live in it; and, as for any more investments in real estate, why, just excuse me, if you please!  Insurance and repairs eat up all the profits, and I am plagued to death with petitions in the bargain.”

“Then I must buy it myself!” said Beulah resolutely.

“In the name of common sense, tell me what you will do with it?”

“I don’t know yet; keep it, I suppose, until he comes home again.  How much do you suppose the Farleys ask for it?”

“I really cannot conjecture.  But, child, you must not think of this.  I will see the agent about it, and perhaps I may purchase it, to oblige you.  I will not hear of your buying it.  Guy certainly cannot contemplate heathenating much longer.  There is that eternal door-bell again!  Somebody that believes I am constructed of wire and gutta-percha, I dare say.”

He leaned back, and watched the door very uneasily.  A servant looked in.

“Mr. Leonard, to see Miss Beulah.”

“Thank Heaven, it is nobody to see me!” The doctor settled himself comfortably, and laughed at the perturbed expression of Beulah’s countenance.

“Ask him to excuse me this evening,” said she, without rising.

“Nay, my dear; he was here this afternoon, and you had gone to walk.  It would be rude not to see him.  Go into the parlor; do, my dear; perhaps he will not detain you long,” remonstrated Mrs. Asbury.

Beulah said nothing; she set her lips firmly, rose, and went to the parlor.

“I will wager my head he won’t stay fifteen minutes, after he gets a glimpse of her face.  Hugh ought to have sense enough to see that she does not fancy him,” said the doctor, laughing.

“I should very much like to see the man she would fancy,” answered his wife, knitting away busily on a purse for some sewing society.