Chapter 1. The Arrival
_ CHAPTER I. THE ARRIVAL
Long ago and long ago,
And long ago still,
There dwelt three merry maidens
Upon a distant hill.
Christina G. Rossetti.
The rain was falling fast. It was a pleasant summer rain that plashed gently on the leaves of the great elms and locusts, and tinkled musically in the roadside puddles. Less musical was its sound as it drummed on the top of the great landau which was rolling along the avenue leading to Fernley House； but the occupants of the carriage paid little attention to it, each being buried in her own thoughts. The night was dark, and the carriage-lamps threw an uncertain gleam on the three figures leaning back in their corners, muffled and silent. The avenue was long,--interminably long, it seemed to one of the three travellers； and finally the silence so oppressed her that she determined to conquer her shyness and break it.
"What a _very_ long avenue!" she said, speaking in a low, sweet voice.
There was no r

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