Summer With a Countess [pp. 473-479]

S SUMJIER WITH A COUNTESS.
from the distant peak came the faint posa route. She accepted their invita sound, "like a falling star," and we all tion, and they were ready to commence
held our breath, completely lost in the the journey next morning, when the
poem realized. Then Tennyson's "Bu- Countess found her saddle uncomfort gle Song" indeed "set the echoes fly- able for the trip, and Mr. Hutchings,
ing," as her bugle-notes leaped over with his accustomed kindness, insisted
the lake. Jean Ingelow's "Calling the upon changingit for a better one. " Ride
Cows" next came, with all its fresh along, gentlemen," she said, "and I will
charm. Verily, never was there such overtake you at Inspiration Point in time
an Echo-land! The moon rose over the for luncheon. You know it requires
waters as we partook of Mr. Hutchings' many moments for a lady to take leave
sparkling champagne, served upon the of friends." So away went the merry
bank; and soon we were picking our crowd and guide. Some time was con way over the now transfigured rocks, in sumed in the saddle arrangements. But
the silver light, and out on to the fields, being, like most Englishwomen, a good
homeward, pronouncing this the perfec- rider, she depended upon that ability to
tion of a summer night. overtake those ahead. Finally, she set
One evening in early November, when off on a canter, and being perfectly fa the blossom season had nearly passed miliar with the road, dashed down the
away, she came across the rustic bridge, valley till she reached the Mariposa trail,
bearing bunches of autumn ferns, and which was steep and difficult of ascent,
trailing vines, and frail blooms, looking requiring time and patience.
like Flora gathering in her truant chil- The sky was darkening, and, before
dren from the coming winter storm. It she was aware, one of those sudden and
was announced that letters, bearing a fearful winter storms came on. She
coat-of-arms, had arrived for her, through urged her horse up the narrow, rocky
the British Consul. Her hand trembled way, but the wind howled and blew,
as she tore the covers off, and upon and the snow fell thick and fast, almost
reading the contents, her agitation was blinding her. But on she went, oversuch as to confine her to her room for coming this difficult part of the road,
days. They recalled her to Great Brit- and reaching Inspiration Point. The
ain, to her rightful inheritance to castles, party was not there, having evidently
and estates, and her title of Countess of dashed ahead, to get through to shelter
Avonmore, Lord Avonmore having died, at the Mountain House beyond, and beand Major Yelverton succeeding as heir. lieving that she had turned back- if
Of Major Yelverton's whereabout, no she had started at all-when perceiving
one seems definitely aware. Sufficient indications of a storm. Her heart sank
it is to know that he can never return to within her, but she bravely pushed on
claim the Lordship without acknowledg- to the meadows. The snow now coving her as the Countess. ered the entire ground like a sheet, and
An English Earl-a friend and neigh- gradually rounded every jagged branch
bor of the Avonmores-being present, and knot into soft beauty. The storm
urged her to hasten home. As soon as increased. The horse had, for some
possible, she was ready to leave the val- distance, instinctively followed the comley. Some English Lords, then in the pletely obliterated trail; but now, the
valley, invited her to join them in the blinding flakes worried and perplexed
mountain-trail ride; also, to accept a him so, that he refused to move. She
seat in their private conveyance from the tried to force him to cross the meadows,
South Fork of the Merced, by the Marn- but they were miry, and neither whipping,
I871.]
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