illness.

And then I took up my old life again, hoping every day to hear fresh
tidings, and trying to bear the disappointment as brightly and bravely
as I could.

One afternoon I wandered out by myself to the moor. It was a hot day
in August, but there was always a breeze up there, and I loved to get
away from every one; the loveliness and stillness soothed and comforted
me. I had my Bible with me, and the hours slipped by so quickly that
when I began to retrace my way homewards I found it was much later than
I had imagined. At the entrance to the village I met Kenneth. 'Well,
you are a nice one!' was his remark when he saw me; 'do you know we
have been scouring the country for you all the afternoon? A telegram
came for you about a quarter of an hour after you had left the
house--Goodness gracious! are you going to faint? There's nothing
wrong--allow me to finish my sentence--and now there's something better
than a telegram arrived in the shape of a two-legged specimen----'

'He has come then!' I exclaimed. 'Oh, Kenneth, tell me!'

'Who has come? Who are you expecting? You interrupt me so that I have
lost the thread of my discourse, and forget what I was going to say.'

Then seeing that I was not in a state to stand much more joking, he
altered his tone. 'Yes, he has arrived, looking rather seedy, but he
is alive. He has been closeted with the governor for the last two
hours, giving an account of himself. I hope it is all fair and square,
but he won't let us into his secrets, though I told him his conduct had
been rather "fishy" in our eyes. What are you going to do? Run away
from me? You are such a dignified little soul generally, that I
expected we should have a saunter up to the house together; but I
forgot that "love lends wings," isn't that the saying? I will race you
if you like. Now, one, two, three, and away!'

And in another minute we were tearing through the village and up the
avenue to the house in a style that would have greatly shocked Mrs.
Forsyth, had she seen us. Kenneth gave a loud 'whoop' when we entered
the hall, which brought every one out at once, but I was only conscious
of one form, one greeting, and the next minute I found myself drawn
into the empty library. Then my composure gave way: clinging hold of
him, I could do nothing but sob, and for some minutes there was perfect
silence between us. I could only feel the touch of his fingers on my
hair, and the strong beating