It was agreed that Doctor Morton, Lucia, and Maurice should be the only persons invited; but when all the other arrangements had been made, it appeared that Maurice had some particularly obstinate engagement which refused to be put off, and he was, therefore, of necessity left behind.
The morning fixed for the excursion proved breathlessly hot; the sky was of one unvaried, dazzling, blue, and the waters of the river seemed to rise above their banks, while every object, even houses and trees at a considerable distance, was reflected in them with a clearness which foretold stormy weather.

A note from Mrs.Bellairs had prepared Lucia, and she was standing on the verandah, dangling her hat in her hand, when Mr.and Mrs.Bellairs drove up.

She only stopped to give her mother a last hasty kiss, and then ran out to meet them.
The others had gone on, and were dawdling along the road, when Bob, at his usual sober trot, turned out of the lane--Doctor Morton driving with Bella, Mr.Percy on horseback.

The party moved on leisurely, too hot to think of a quicker movement, and, as was natural, Mr.Percy drew his horse to the side of the phaeton where Lucia sat.

A drive of three miles brought them to the farm, where they left the horses in the care of a servant, and walked across a wide, unenclosed space of green to the house.