tableaux vivants. The library had been arranged by Mark and Kate to suit the representations, and great was the interest and pleasure awakened by them. Then came other games and more music and songs; and before supper Mr. Melville conducted family worship in the drawing-room, earnestly asking God to guide all the dear young people there into His "ways of pleasantness and paths of peace."

As the merry groups sought for cloaks and wraps, the old clock in the hall struck eleven; and as they dispersed they all declared it to have been the "pleasantest of all the Sunberry Dale parties."

CHAPTER X.

THE SKATING PARTY.

THE Hadfields had been at the Dale nearly three weeks, and still the snow remained on the ground, frozen into a hard, crisp mass. The trees looked as though they were hung with jewels, and the icicles on the eaves of the house glistened like crystal pendants. The sparrows that chirped on the lime trees looked thin and listless, and the red-breast grew bold enough to sit on the window-sill until a supply of crumbs had satisfied his wants.

The great pond in Leyoak Park had been frozen over nearly a fortnight, and many persons had been skating upon it for the last two days. The boys at the Dale had begged very hard to be allowed to go on the ice on the Tuesday after the party, but Mrs.

Melville had been so opposed to it that all thought of it had been abandoned. On the Thursday the petition was renewed with greater vigour.

"It's quite safe, mamma," said Charlie.

"How do you know that?" said Mrs. Melville.

"The keeper told me yesterday it was safe," replied he.

"What do you say about it, Mark?" said his mother.

"Well, I think it is all right," said he. "The Hardings were on the ice almost all day yesterday."

"Are you sure they were there?" said Mrs. Melville.

"Yes, mamma.

I met Alfred Harding last night in the town, and he told me they had all been during the day."

"Very well then," said she. "I suppose you had better go, only be sure and take care of yourselves; and be back by two o'clock."

A loud "hurra" and a somersault turned by Charlie, were sufficient proof of the pleasure the permission gave them.

There was a general rush after hats, caps, coats, and skates, and in less than ten minutes the whole group, with the exception of Kate, were eagerly walking towards the pond.

The fish-pond was a large piece of water covering many acres, and was pleasantly situated in a hollow near to one of the entrances to the park. Great beeches stood thickly clustered near the pond and stretched out their branches over the water, whilst sloping banks of green sward stretched down to the water's edge. The banks were now all covered with snow trodden into dirty, irregular paths, by the tramping of many feet. On the west side the pond was bounded by a wide gravelled walk, in the centre of which stood a picturesque thatched building called the "boat-house." This building was without doors or windows, and was simply a roof resting on ornamental pillars, with the side away from the water enclosed down to the ground. In this boat-house stood two or three old chairs and stools for the use of those who wished to put on skates.

The young people from the Dale soon

reached the pond, and although early, a large number of persons were already engaged in sliding or skating upon its frozen surface.

Mark was told by one of the keepers that the ice was quite safe except in one part near to the boat-house, where it had been broken by the keepers a day or two previously, to supply the swans with water, and was now frozen over again. Mark pointed out this dangerous place to his brother and cousins, and desired them to keep away from it.

Two hours passed pleasantly by; the boys were expert skaters, and they thoroughly entered into the pleasure and excitement of the sport. Edith and Nellie had crossed the pond twice under the escort of Mark, and were standing near the boat-house laughing at the awkwardness and frequent falls of those who were inexperienced in the use of skates.

The Chesterton church clock struck twelve, as Mark, meeting with one of the Glossops, stopped to ask him some questions about a Latin lesson. He had not been talking many minutes when, turning to look for his com