ood exactly where his tent had covered
the sod on which he had lain so many nights, thinking what sadness he
must have suffered because of her at the time of packing up and going
away. After that she wiped from her eyes the tears of pity which had
come there, descended to the house, and wrote an impulsive letter to him,
in which occurred the following passages, indiscreet enough under the
circumstances:--

'I find all justice, all rectitude, on your side, John; and all
impertinence, all inconsiderateness, on mine. I am so much convinced
of your honour in the whole transaction, that I shall for the future
mistrust myself in everything. And if it be possible, whenever I
differ from you on any point I shall take an hour's time for
consideration before I say that I differ. If I have lost your
friendship, I have only myself to thank for it; but I sincerely hope
that you can forgive.'

After writing this she went to the garden, where Bob was shearing the
spring grass from the paths. 'What is John's direction?' she said,
holding the sealed letter in her hand.

'Exonbury Barracks,' Bob faltered, his countenance sinking.

She thanked him and went indoors. When he came in, later in the day, he
passed the door of her empty sitting-room and saw the letter on the
mantelpiece. He disliked the sight of it. Hearing voices in the other
room, he entered and found Anne and her mother there, talking to
Cripplestraw, who had just come in with a message from Squire Derriman,
requesting Miss Garland, as she valued the peace of mind of an old and
troubled man, to go at once and see him.

'I cannot go,' she said, not liking the risk that such a visit involved.

An hour later Cripplestraw shambled again into the passage, on the same
errand.

'Maister's very poorly, and he hopes that you'll come, Mis'ess Anne. He
wants to see 'ee very particular about the French.'

Anne would have gone in a moment, but for the fear that some one besides
the farmer might encounter her, and she answered as before.

Another hour passed, and the wheels of a vehicle were heard. Cripplestraw
had come for the third time, with a horse and gig; he was dressed in his
best clothes, and brought with him on this occasion a basket containing
raisins, almonds, oranges, and sweet cakes. Offering them to her as a
gift from the old farmer, he repeated his request for her to accompany
him, the gig and best mare having been sent as an add