n themselves, until
they found they had got considerably in advance of their companions; so
much so, that they could not even see them. Upon this discovery, John
suggested that their friends might have slightly deviated from the
track; allured, perhaps, into the bush by something that might have
attracted their attention, and were possibly not far off. He therefore
proposed that Eleanor and himself should sit down and wait until they
overtook them; but to this his companion was unwilling to agree. He
however combatted her opinion that they had returned, and that it would
be better for herself and him to retrace their steps also, by saying
that Mrs. Rainsfield would never turn back without first giving them
intimation; and that by retracing their steps then, they would possibly
miss, and give one another a good deal of trouble and uneasiness, in a
mutual search. Whether this advice was agreeable or not to Eleanor, we
cannot say, but she silently complied; and sat down by his side, as he
threw himself on the grass.

John, at this moment, became absorbed with thoughts that entirely
subverted his former cheerfulness. The circumstances of his situation
presented themselves to his mind's eye in full force; and suggested, as
their solitude had very opportunely afforded him the means of declaring
to Eleanor the feelings uppermost in his thoughts, and which he had so
long burned to disclose, that he should not allow it to slip. But his
heart failed within him, as he was on the point of giving utterance to
his love; and though it spoke volumes, his tongue failed to articulate a
sound. Thus they sat for some minutes, when Eleanor broke the silence by
remarking, "What can have become of those truants?" and recieving no
reply from her companion, directed an enquiring gaze to his face.

In that countenance, where she used to witness animation and spirit, she
now only detected profound abstraction, and a vision directed fixedly
into space. She contemplated the features for some few moments; and
then, while she laid her hand upon John's shoulder, addressed him with
the enquiry, "May I participate in the pleasure of your thoughts, Mr.
Ferguson? they must be deeply interesting, for they seem to have
engrossed your entire attention."

John started at the sound of Eleanor's voice, and awaking from his
reverie, while he siezed in his fevered grasp the hand of his companion,
replied: "Indeed you may, my dear Eleanor (pardon my familiarity)