I shan't be here long to see them." This was rather melancholy; but Belton bore up even against this, speaking cheery words and expressing bright hopes,--so that it seemed, both to Clara and to her father, that he had in a great measure overcome the disappointment of the preceding day.

It was probable that he was a man not prone to be deeply sensitive in such matters for any long period.

The period now had certainly not been long, and yet Will Belton was alive again.
Immediately after breakfast there occurred a little incident which was not without its effect upon them all.

There came up on the drive, immediately before the front door, under the custody of a boy, a cow.
It was an Alderney cow, and any man or woman at all understanding cows, would at once have perceived that this cow was perfect in her kind.

Her eyes were mild, and soft, and bright.