AGAIN, OLD AND NEW ACQUAINTANCE. 189

As he rode slowly up through the plantations to
the front of the cottage, a tall, but bending figure,
was slowly passing down a side walk from the back
premises, The rusty, but well-preserved black suit,
the old hat, the blue camlet bag, he recognised them
instantly. It was as if a dagger had pierced through
his heart. He stopped his horse instantly—he had
better at once fly than face her—his father had really
been there—had revealed all, no doubt—he had not
yet been seen from the house—there was time to fly
—shame and terror overwhelmed him.

“* Good morning, sir,” said the cheerful voice of the
gardener. “ Shall 1 lead your horse up to the stable ?
Missis is in the little flower-garden.”

The gardeners voice reassured him, so did his
words ; Miss Bassett was in the garden—she had not,
then, seen his father. “‘ What a coward apprehension
has made of me!” thought he, and rode up to the
house, bidding the gardener say nothing of his being
come, and he would join Miss Bassett presently.

He was glad of this respite to recover himself
the servants received him like a welcome guest at the
house ; servants by instinct learn the tone of their
employers’ feelings—he knew that at present all was
right.

“ What did the old man want, with the blue bag,
who was here just now 2?” asked he.

“He has left a packet for the lady,” the servant
replied.

“ The packet is for me—let me have it instantly,”
said he in a spasm of fear. “ Fly, quick !”

The servant, interpreting his impatience to be that
of a lover, flew quickly, as he desired, to put into his
hand one of those small packets of stationery whic