course, I shan't give it up entirely. She doesn't
wish me to do that."

Delia stood for a moment in silence, her eyes fixed on Anna's pretty,
downcast face. The sound of the church bells came softly to them over
the fields from Dornton, and "Well," she said, with a little sigh, "I
mustn't stay, or I shall be late, and I promised to meet the Professor
after church. He half expects to see you with me. What shall I say to
him?"

"Oh, Delia!" cried Anna, looking up into her companion's face, "I _do_
wish I could go with you."

"It's too late now," said Delia, turning away. "Good-bye."

Anna lingered at the stile. Would not Delia turn round once and nod
kindly to her, as she always did when they parted? No. Her compact
figure went steadily on its way, the shoulders very square, the head
held high and defiantly. Anna could not bear it. She jumped over the
stile and ran after her friend. "Delia!" she called out. Delia turned
and waited. "Don't be cross with me," pleaded Anna. "After all, it
isn't my fault; and I _should_ like to go with you so much. And--and
give my love to grandfather, please. I'm going to see him next week."

She took hold of Delia's reluctant hand and kissed her cheek. Delia
allowed the embrace, but did not return it. Her heart was hot within
her. Mrs Winn had said that Anna was not straightforward. Was it
true?

Anna had not much time for any sort of reflection, for she had to get
back to Waverley as fast as she could, and, in spite of her haste, the
bell stopped just as she reached the garden gate, and she knew that her
aunt would have started for church without her. It was barely five
minutes' walk, but she had to smooth her hair, and find some gloves, and
make herself fit for Mrs Forrest's critical eye, and all this took some
time. When she pushed open the heavy door and entered timidly, her
footfall sounding unnaturally loud, the usual sprinkling of evening
worshippers was already collected, and her uncle had begun to read the
service. Anna crept into a seat. She knew that she had committed a
very grave fault in Mrs Forrest's sight, and she half wished that she
had made up her mind to go to Dornton with Delia. She wanted to please
every one, and she had pleased no one; it was very hard. As she walked
back to the Vicarage with her aunt after service, she was quite prepared
for the grave voice in which she began to speak.

"How was it you were late this evening, Anna?"