watch upon
her, but never could catch her there, though I soon became aware from
the change in the position of the books that she occasionally visited
the place when she knew I was away and could not surprise her.

I selected a day on which a party was made up to visit some objects of
curiosity in the neighbourhood, and when she had announced her
intention to stay at home, having already been often at the place, and
to allow another lady of the party to ride her horse. In the morning I
arranged with my groom that he should file off the heads of the nails
of one of my horse's shoes, so that the shoe should come off easily,
and I appointed him to meet me a short distance from the house on the
road we were to take.

After I had proceeded with the party for a few miles, I pretended to
think that my horse was going lame, and dismounting, I exhibited one
foot with the shoe nearly off. As the horse was a valuable one, the
excuse was readily accepted that I could not proceed farther, but must
walk him back quietly. As soon, however, as the party had got out of
sight, by the aid of a hammer and a few nails I had taken in my pocket,
I fastened the shoe, and started back at full speed. Meeting my groom
at the place I had appointed, I told him to get the horse properly shod
and then take him to a small inn in a retired place a few miles off, so
as not to have my return known at the hall. I then hastened to make my
way across the fields to the summer house, having a strong hope that
Laura would take advantage of the opportunity for visiting it, as my
absence would render it safe for her to do so and would at the same
time preclude the chance of her being able to have any gratification in
my company and reduce her to her solitary amusement.

On making a more minute inspection of the summer house, I had
discovered a circumstance which was not apparent at first sight and
which had inspired me with the idea of my present operation. The
ceiling was formed of small branches, split and nailed together in the
form of panels. One of these, I discovered, was moveable and gave
access to a small apartment above, part of which was floored over and
occasionally used by the gardener to dry seeds. To this apartment the
only access was by means of a ladder. The ceiling however was low
enough to admit of my catching hold of the sides of the opening when
standing on a stool, and thus swinging myself up into the interior. I
had contrived, by means o