lit BEYOND THE BLUE MOUNTAINS.

and as they had completely forgotten Castle Dangerous, she found it
useless to argue with them.

“T see a very pretty cottage in that valley just below us,” called
out a little girl whose name was Agnes; ‘‘it is covered with flowers,
and has a lovely garden: let us go to it as fast as we can.”

The children all quickened their steps, and presently reached the
cottage.

Standing in the porch was a tall sad-looking woman who was quite
blind; a little girl, also blind, stood near her. The woman was
knitting a long woollen stocking.

“TI hear footsteps,” she said, “many footsteps; they are so light
and gay that they must belong to the very young. I hope they will
be warned not to come in here—I hope the children with the light
footsteps and the light hearts will go by this dreadful place.”

Her words were said in a very dreary sing-song voice. They sounded
as 1f she were uttering a sort of chant.

“What is she saying ?”’ said Agnes ; “queer old body, what is
she muttering ?”

“She looks very cross, whatever she is talking about; don’t let’s
mind her,” said Buttercup.

“ Yes, do let us mind her,” said Primrose in an earnest voice, “oh,
do let us be careful what house we go into. Children, children,
remember Castle Dangerous.”

“ You and your Castle Dangerous,” said Agnes; “ there never was
such a place. Oh, do you see that lovely lady standing by the open
window—that window—there to the right, with the pink roses climbing
all over it—isn’t she beautiful! and she is speaking to us. Yes, lady
—what do you say?”

“ Would you like something to eat, my little dear? ” said the lady.
“You are all going to the Rose Mountains, are younot? I have been
expecting you for the last couple of hours; and I have tea ready—
tea, and fresh honey from the flowers, and fresh fruit out of my own
garden. Nothing very much, but a pleasant refreshing meal all the
same. If you are hungry, little pilgrims, come in and eat—come in
and eat.”