ong which a
narrow footpath ran, when the crackle of a broken branch, and the quick
tread of a foot, made her pause and look at the opposite bank, down
which a young man was coming, with more swiftness than he seemed to
desire, for he only saved himself from a plunge in the brook by leaping
over it, with a bound that brought him to Clara's side. It was Lord
Hilton.

"Forgive me, if I came near running you down," he said, with laughter in
his eyes, and taking off his hat; "it was neck or nothing with me, after
I once got one downward plunge. I inquired for you at the castle, and
they told me that you had just gone out of sight in this direction, so I
followed and am here."

Clara held out her hand, with the sweet, joyous laugh of a pleased
child. She was very happy, just then, and he saw it in her eyes.

"But you have been long in coming," she said. "I told grandmamma about
our journey together, and she has been expecting you at Houghton every
day."

"And you?"

"Of course, I have been dreadfully disappointed. Are you aware that it
is more than a fortnight since you bought those peaches for me?"

"But you will approve my reasons for keeping away, when I tell you what
they are."

"Perhaps--I doubt it; but tell me."

"You will not be angry?"

"No."

"Not if I tell you the plain truth like an honest man?"

"I love the truth. Why should it offend me?"

"Lady Clara, I have almost resolved to make a confidante of you."

Clara brushed some fallen leaves from a rock, near which they were
standing, and sat down, motioning him to take the vacant place by her
side.

"There--now let us begin."

"Do you guess why I did not come before, Lady Clara?"

"No--I have not the least idea. Perhaps you did not like me, or were
shocked with my hat; poor thing, it is getting awfully shabby."

"Shall I tell you?"

"Of course; why not?"

"Because the old gentleman over yonder and my lady at Houghton, had set
their hearts upon it."

"Set their hearts upon it. How?"

"They have decreed that I shall fall in love with you, and you with me,
at first sight."

Clara stared at him a moment, with her widening blue eyes, and then
broke into a laugh that set all the birds about her to singing in a
joyous chorus.

"What, you and I?"

"Exactly."

"But you have more sense. You could not be induced to oblige them. I
feel quite sure."

"But why, pray? Am I so very stupid?"

"No; but you are so very kind, and would not do an