h； light vapory clouds hurried through the upper air； driven by a refreshing northwesterly breeze。 The day had been lovely； the night promised to be so likewise。
On reaching Stirling； Nell and her friends； quitting the train； left the station immediately。 Just before them； between high trees； they could see a road which led to the banks of the river Forth。
The first physical impression on the girl was the purity of the air inhaled eagerly by her lungs。
〃Breathe it freely； Nell；〃 said James Starr； 〃it is fragrant with all the scents of the open country。〃
〃What is all that smoke passing over our heads？〃 inquired Nell。
〃Those are clouds；〃 answered Harry； 〃blown along by the westerly wind。〃
〃Ah！〃 said Nell； 〃how I should like to feel myself carried along in that silent whirl！ And what are those shining sparks which glance here and there between rents in the clouds？〃
〃Those are the stars I have told you about； Nell。 So many suns they are； so many centers of worlds like our own； most likely。〃
The constellations became more clearly visible as the wind cleared the clouds from the deep blue of the firmament。 Nell gazed upon the myriad stars which sparkled overhead。 〃But how is it；〃 she said at length； 〃that if these are suns； my eyes can endure their brightness？〃
〃My child；〃 replied James Starr； 〃they are indeed suns； but suns at an enormous distance。 The nearest of these millions of stars； whose rays can reach us； is Vega； that star in Lyra which you observe near the zenith； and that is
fifty thousand millions of leagues distant。 Its brightness； therefore； cannot affect your vision。 But our own sun； which will rise to…morrow； is only distant thirty…eight millions of leagues； and no human eye can gaze fix