deserted frame which stood close to their surface. There was a time, not long ago either, when Tom Sedley would have run across the grass to the drawing-room windows, and had he seen Agnes within would have made a semi-burglarious entry through one of them. But there had come of late, on a sudden, a sort of formality in his relations with Agnes; and so he walked round by the hall-door, and found the drawing-rooms empty, and touching the bell, learned that Miss Agnes had gone out for a walk. "I've a message to give her from Miss Charity; have you any idea which way she went?" He found himself making excuses to the servant for his inquiry. A short time since he would have asked quite frankly where she was, without dreaming of a reason; but now had grown, as I say, a reserve, which has always the more harmless incidents of guilt. He was apprehensive of sus[Pg 56]picion; he was shy even of this old servant, and was encountering this inquiry by an explanation of his motives. [Pg 56] "I saw her go by the beech-walk, sir," said the man. "Oh! thanks; very good." And he crossed the grass, and entered the beech-walk, which is broad and straight, with towering files of beech at each side, and a thick screen of underwood and evergreens, and turning the clump of rhododendrons at the entrance of the walk, he found himself, all on a sudden, quite close to Agnes, who was walking toward him. She stopped. He fancied she changed colour: had she mistaken him for some one else? "Well, Agnes, I see the sun and the flowers prevailed, though we couldn't; and I'm glad, at all events, that you have had a little walk." "Oh! yes, after all, I couldn't really resist; and is Charity coming?" "No, you are not to expect her till tea-time. She's gone with Miss Flood somewhere, and she sent me to tell you." "Oh! thanks;" and Agnes hesitated, looking towards home, as if she intended returning. "You may as well walk once more up and down; it does look so jolly, doesn't it?" said Tom; "pray do, Agnes."[Pg 57] [Pg 57]
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