motion quite different in kind
from any thing she had known since her marriage, more deeply than any
enthusiasm, as with a comfort more sacred than any she had known in
prayer? As she turned to go back to the house a dizziness affected her
eyes; she had to stand still for a moment. Involuntarily she clasped her
hands upon her bosom and looked away into the blue summer sky. Did
he love her? She had never asked him that, and all at once she felt a
longing to hasten after him and utter the question. Would he know what
she meant?

Was it the instantaneous reward for having conscientiously striven
to honour him? That there should be love on his side had not hitherto
seemed of so much importance; probably she had taken it for granted; she
had been so preoccupied with her own duties. Yet now it had all at once
become of moment that she should know. 'Be a good girl.' She repeated
the words over and over again, and made much of them. Perhaps she had
given him no opportunity, no encouragement, to say all he felt; she knew
him to be reserved in many things.

As she entered the house the dizziness again troubled her. But it passed
as before.

Mr. Keene, who had stayed over-night, was waiting to take leave of her;
the trap which would carry him to Agworth station had just driven up.
Adela surprised the poor journalist by the warmth with which she shook
his hand, and the kindness of her farewell. She was not deceived as
to the motive of his visit, and just now she allowed herself to feel
sympathy for him, though in truth she did not like the man.

This morning she could not settle to her work. The dreaming mood was
upon her, and she appeared rather to encourage it, seeking a quiet
corner of the garden and watching for a whole hour the sun-dappled trunk
of a great elm. At times her face seemed itself to be a source of light,
so vivid were the thoughts that transformed it Her eyes were moist once
or twice, and then no dream of artist-soul ever embodied such passionate
loveliness, such holy awe, as came to view upon her countenance. At
lunch she was almost silent, but Alice, happening to glance at her,
experienced a surprise; she had never seen Adela so beautiful and so
calmly bright.

After lunch she attired herself for walking, and went to the village to
see her mother. Lest Mrs. Waltham should be lonely, it had been arranged
that Alfred should come home every evening, instead of once a week. Even
thus, Adela had frequently repr