previous one, which she had believed could not have
been surpassed.

By this time she began to be afraid that her absence might be noticed
and insisted that it was time for her to return to the hall. Before she
left me I easily persuaded her to resume her morning visits to the
summer house, and to allow me to meet her there. I satisfied her that
there was no risk in this, as in the event of anyone coming to the
place by chance, I could easily take refuge in my hiding-place so that
no suspicion could arise if she were found there alone.

For several mornings we continued to indulge ourselves with a
repetition of our amorous pranks and every meeting only added to the
zest with which we gave ourselves up to every mode of enjoyment we
could devise.

The sole drawback to our pleasures was the impossibility in such an
exposed situation of enjoying the sight and the touch at once of the
whole of each other's charms, and I anxiously watched for any
opportunity when we might be able to accomplish this. One forenoon Lady
Middleton had accompanied the rest of the party on a visit to some
friends in the neighbourhood from which they were not to return till
night, leaving at home only Sir Hugh, Miss Middleton, Laura, and
myself. I had made some excuse for not accompanying the party, but my
real reason was the wish to have an opportunity of meeting Laura, as
she had been unable to keep her appointment with me that morning,
though I little expected that I was to be thereby enabled to arrange
for the full accomplishment of our most anxious wishes.

I was sitting with the two ladies when a servant brought in a note for
Miss Middleton saying that the messenger waited for an answer. She read
it and said to Laura, "This is very provoking, it is a note from Mr.
Percival asking me to come over and meet the Savilles at dinner. I
should like so much to go, as all our party are away to-day, and I
shall not have another opportunity of meeting my old friends; but I am
afraid there is no conveyance to take me. If the pony were able to go,
I should drive over in the pony-chaise, but I fear he is not
sufficiently recovered from his accident."

Laura's eyes and mine met, and all the advantage of getting her aunt
away for the night flashed upon us. I gave her a look to urge her aunt
to go. She reflected for a minute, and then said she did not think the
pony was fit for work yet, but that her aunt might send for a carriage
from the town, which wa