emselves definitely into intentions.

None of her experiences had moved her like this with Bob Morgan. When,
in the autumn, she had given up her season in town on account of her
grandmother's feebleness, it had been one of her consolations that at
least she would be free from that sort of complication. And here was
something worse than anything that had gone before, because her real
fondness for Bob gave her an insight into his pain, and a pity for the
sorrow that she knew she must inflict upon him.

She felt vaguely into the darkness for a realization of what love was.
She had lain awake many a night that winter, waiting for her
grandmother's call, listening to the rain as it dripped upon the roof
from the twig-tips of the oaks, and dreaming a waking dream of what a
love would mean that would make any sacrifice a joy, any pain a
rapture. And, like all women from Time's beginning, she had cried into
the shadow, "Oh, that I, too, may have this joy, this sacrifice, this
pain!"

At the cross-roads Johnny fell into a walk until he should learn his
rider's wish. _He_ preferred to go home; but if she chose the
right-hand road he was willing to carry her over it, mistaken as he
felt her decision to be.

Sydney roused at the change of gait and turned the horse into the
homeward way; but, just as he was settling down gleefully to his work,
she remembered that she had failed entirely to accomplish the errand
upon which her grandmother had sent her; the errand that had clouded
her brow with anxiety.

Mrs. Carroll was very fond of Baron von Rittenheim. He interested her,
he amused her, he aroused her curiosity, and his formal manners
recalled to her memory the gallants of her youth. He called upon her
frequently, and the old lady looked forward to his visits with
agreeable anticipation. For three weeks he had not been to Oakwood, and
she was determined no longer to endure such neglect,--at any rate, to
investigate it. To this end she had sent Sydney to Dr. Morgan's to
inquire of him news of the recreant German. And Sydney had not stayed
to see the Doctor or Mrs. Morgan!

Obedient to the rein, Johnny stopped and looked about with an air of
inquiring patronage. His mistress was not given to abrupt changes of
intention, but he was willing to humor her when they appeared.

"I can't go back to the Doctor's, of course," thought Sydney. "I'll go
to Melissa Yarebrough's,--she'll know."

Off from the State Road, just beyond the cr