ink I will, if you don't mind."

"Mind--mind? No. Make yourself at home, man--make yourself at home.
That's what you've got to do here," was the hearty reply.

Now, skirting the way our artful manoeuvrer has to travel is a high
quince hedge, and in this hedge is a gate, and not very far inside this
gate is a rustic bench, and upon this rustic bench is a cool, tasteful
dress of light material, surmounted by a very broad-brimmed straw hat.
There is also upon the said bench a book, but it is not altogether lying
on it, for it is still held by a well-shaped little hand. But for the
thoroughfare aforesaid the spot is a secluded one, as it certainly is a
pleasant one, and shady withal; thanks to the foliage of the large,
well-grown fruit trees. Now, what does our manoeuvring scamp do but
steal softly up behind this attractive figure, and throw both arms
around it, while with equal want of ceremony the scampish countenance is
inserted beneath that very broad-brimmed straw hat, and there it remains
during the few moments of faint, because feigned, scuffle in which its
wearer sees fit to indulge.

"At last, my darling!" he exclaims gleefully, seating himself on the
bench beside her. "At last!"

CHAPTER ELEVEN.

"AMORIS INTEGRATIO."

"On, Maurice, how could you be so imprudent?"

"Imprudent be--somethinged! If you only knew the difficulty I've had to
cut loose from the other fellows at all."

"Yes, imprudent," she went on, ignoring the last remark. "Supposing any
of those wretched children had been about--and they're just like little
savages, always jumping out upon you unexpectedly from nowhere. And we
are quite by a pathway, too."

"Then the sooner we get away from it the better, for I intend repeating
the operation with interest before we rejoin the merry crowd."

"How did you find me out, Maurice? How did you know where I was?"

"Aha, you couldn't hide from me, you see," he replied. "No good, was
it?"

She made no answer. She seemed to be undergoing a struggle with
herself. Then at last--

"Why did you break through our agreement? We were not to see each other
for six months. It is not four yet."

"Violet! Do you mean to tell me you are sorry I have not kept that
boshy arrangement of ours. Look me straight in the face and tell me you
are--if you can."

He turned her face towards him. The dark soft eyes were brimming, the
delicate features were working with a wild yearning, which its own