light, and the time of year, all
had too much to say about her causes of sorrow. But tears
wrought their own relief; and again able to bear the burden of
life, Elizabeth pulled slowly and quietly homewards.

Looking behind her as she neared the rocks, to make sure that
she was approaching them in a right direction, she was
startled to see a man's figure standing there. Startled,
because it was not the bent-shouldered form of Mr. Underhill,
nor the slouching habit of Anderese; but tall, stately and
well put on. It was too far to see the face; and in her one
startled look Elizabeth did not distinctly recognize anything.
Her heart gave a pang of a leap at the possibility of its
being Winthrop; but she could not tell whether it were he or
no; she could not be sure that it was, yet who else should
come there with that habit of a gentleman? Could Mr. Brick? --
No, he had never such an air, oven at a distance. It was not
Mr. Brick. Neither was it Mr. Herder; Mr. Herder was too
short. Every nerve now trembled, and her arms pulled nervously
and weakly her boat to the shore. When might she look again?
She did not till she must; then her look went first to the
rocks, with a vivid impression of that dark figure standing
above them, seen and not seen -- she guided her boat in
carefully -- then just grazing the rocks she looked up. The
pang and the start came again, for though not Winthrop it was
Winthrop's brother. It was Rufus.

The nervousness and the flutter quieted themselves, almost;
but probably Elizabeth could not have told then by the impulse
of what feeling or feelings it was, that she coolly looked
down again and gave her attention so steadily and minutely to
the careful bestowment of her skiff, before she would set foot
on the rocks and give her hand and eye to the person who had
been waiting to claim them. By what impulse also she left it
to him entirely to say what he was there for, and gave him no
help whatever in her capacity of hostess.

"You are surprised to see me," said Rufus after he had shaken
the lady's hand and helped her on shore.

"Rather. I could not imagine at first who it might be."

"I am glad to find you looking so well," said the gentleman
gravely. "Very well indeed."

"It is the flush of exercise," said Elizabeth. "I was not
looking well, a little while ago; and shall not be, in a
little time to come."

"Rowing is good for you," said Rufus.

"It is pleasant," said Elizabeth. "I do it for