and was on the high road to the snatch at her cunt, which my experience
now told me was the right thing to do, when all came to an end.

I went daily to the W---- Office returning about half-past four. One day
when about half-a-mile from home, a lady in black silk and with a dark
veil approached me; but as if she had made a mistake, when close to me,
turned on one side and passed on. I looked back and saw she was standing
still, then on she went, and so did I, and had nearly forgotten her,
when I heard quick footsteps in the rear, and some one saying, "Mister
Walter, don't you know me?" I turned round, stopped and tried to see who
it was, but the veil prevented it. She hesitated an instant, then lifted
it, and I saw Charlotte.

With flushed face, bright eyes and a gentle smile, she looked exquisite.
My heart beat tumultuously, my love returned in an instant. I put my arm
round her, and regardless of the publicity of the place, gave a kiss.
There was it is true scarcely anyone about, but she as well as me when
I had done it, saw the impropriety. "Don't, for God's sake," said she,
"what will people think?" "Let us walk," said I, and pulling her arm
through mine, on we went; I looking into her face all the way, noticing
how much the time which had passed had improved her, and overwhelming
her with questions. I felt overjoyed, as if again I should possess her,
and old times had returned. She for a few minutes seemed to give way
to similar elation. Just then I saw a gentleman named Courtauld
approaching, he was our next-door neighbour. We nodded as we passed,
but the incident altered the current of our thoughts. I led her down a
turning where there were scarcely any people, and saying, "I am so glad
old Courtauld did not see me, for his brother lives just by us, and his
old servant is often there and knows me." She relapsed into silence. I
went on chatting of the happy times we had had, and the pleasures we had
tasted together. She remarked, "Oh! pray don't talk of that any more,
recollect I am married, let me say what I have come to say, and then I
must go."

"To say to me?" said I. "Pray don't misunderstand me, I thought you
would excuse it," said she getting confused, "besides it is my duty, and
of course knowing what I do about you, I was so afraid of something."
"What do you mean?" "Well if I had known where she was going to I would
have made mother stop it, now I come at once to ask you not to hurt
her." I proposed