hout
heeding.'

They waited, their heads almost in contact with the reeking arch, and
their feet encircled by the stream, which was at its summer lowness now.
For some minutes they could hear nothing but the babble of the water over
their ankles, and round the legs of the seat on which Bob slumbered, the
sounds being reflected in a musical tinkle from the hollow sides of the
arch. Anne's anxiety now was lest he should not continue sleeping till
the search was over, but start up with his habitual imprudence, and
scorning such means of safety, rush out into their arms.

A quarter of an hour dragged by, and then indications reached their ears
that the re-examination of the mill had begun and ended. The well-known
tramp drew nearer, and reverberated through the ground over their heads,
where its volume signified to the listeners that the party had been
largely augmented by pressed men since the night preceding. The gang
passed the arch, and the noise regularly diminished, as if no man among
them had thought of looking aside for a moment.

Matilda broke the silence. 'I wonder if they have left a watch behind?'
she said doubtfully.

'I will go and see,' said Anne. 'Wait till I return.'

'No; I can do no more. When you come back I shall be gone. I ask one
thing of you. If all goes well with you and him, and he marries
you--don't be alarmed; my plans lie elsewhere--when you are his wife tell
him who helped to carry him away. But don't mention my name to the rest
of your family, either now or at any time.'

Anne regarded the speaker for a moment, and promised; after which she
waded out from the archway.

Matilda stood looking at Bob for a moment, as if preparing to go, till
moved by some impulse she bent and lightly kissed him once.

'How can you!' cried Anne reproachfully. When leaving the mouth of the
arch she had bent back and seen the act.

Matilda flushed. 'You jealous baby!' she said scornfully.

Anne hesitated for a moment, then went out from the water, and hastened
towards the mill.

She entered by the garden, and, seeing no one, advanced and peeped in at
the window. Her mother and Mr. Loveday were sitting within as usual.

'Are they all gone?' said Anne softly.

'Yes. They did not trouble us much, beyond going into every room, and
searching about the garden, where they saw steps. They have been lucky
to-night; they have caught fifteen or twenty men at places further on; so
the loss of Bob w