moor.

"Try to forgive me," I said, when Anne Catherick took her friend's arm
to go away. Innocent as I had been of any intention to terrify and
agitate her, my heart smote me as I looked at the poor, pale,
frightened face.

"I will try," she answered. "But you know too much--I'm afraid you'll
always frighten me now."

Mrs. Clements glanced at me, and shook her head pityingly.

"Good-night, sir," she said. "You couldn't help it, I know but I wish
it was me you had frightened, and not her."

They moved away a few steps. I thought they had left me, but Anne
suddenly stopped, and separated herself from her friend.

"Wait a little," she said. "I must say good-bye."

She returned to the grave, rested both hands tenderly on the marble
cross, and kissed it.

"I'm better now," she sighed, looking up at me quietly. "I forgive
you."

She joined her companion again, and they left the burial-ground. I saw
them stop near the church and speak to the sexton's wife, who had come
from the cottage, and had waited, watching us from a distance. Then
they went on again up the path that led to the moor. I looked after
Anne Catherick as she disappeared, till all trace of her had faded in
the twilight--looked as anxiously and sorrowfully as if that was the
last I was to see in this weary world of the woman in white.

XIV

Half an hour later I was back at the house, and was informing Miss
Halcombe of all that had happened.

She listened to me from beginning to end with a steady, silent
attention, which, in a woman of her temperament and disposition, was
the strongest proof that could be offered of the serious manner in
which my narrative affected her.

"My mind misgives me," was all she said when I had done. "My mind
misgives me sadly about the future."

"The future may depend," I suggested, "on the use we make of the
present. It is not improbable that Anne Catherick may speak more
readily and unreservedly to a woman than she has spoken to me. If Miss
Fairlie----"

"Not to be thought of for a moment," interposed Miss Halcombe, in her
most decided manner.

"Let me suggest, then," I continued, "that you should see Anne
Catherick yourself, and do all you can to win her confidence. For my
own part, I shrink from the idea of alarming the poor creature a second
time, as I have most unhappily alarmed her already. Do you see any
objection to accompanying me to the farmhouse to-morrow?"

"None whatever. I will