quick
impulse, Percival looked up, and following his example, Judith lifted
her head and saw Miss Bryant leaning over the banisters and watching
them with a curiosity which changed to an unpleasant smile when she
found herself observed. It was a revelation to Judith. She fled into her
room, flushing hotly with indignation against Lydia for her spitefully
suggestive watchfulness; with shame for herself that Percival's sense of
her danger should have been keener than her own; and with generous pride
and confidence in him. Thus to have been guarded might have been an
intolerable humiliation, but Judith found some sweetness even in the
sting. It was something new to her to be cared for and shielded; and
while she resolved to be more careful in future, her dominant feeling
was of disgust at the curiosity which could so misunderstand the truest
and purest of friendships. "_He_ understands me, at any rate," said
poor Judith to herself, painfully conscious of her glowing cheeks. "_He_
understands me: he will not think ill of me, but he shall never have to
fear for me again." It might be questioned whether Percival did
altogether understand her. If he did, he was more enlightened than
Judith herself.

After that day she shrank from Percival, and they hardly saw each other
till she left. She knew his hours of going and coming, and was careful
to remain in her room, though it might be that the knowledge drew her to
the window that looked into Bellevue street. As for Percival, though he
never sought her, it seemed to him that his sense of hearing was
quickened. Judith's footstep on the stairs was always distinct to him,
and the tone of her voice if she spoke to Miss Bryant or Emma was noted
and remembered. It is true that this strained anxiety sometimes made him
an involuntary listener to gossip or household arrangements in which
Miss Lisle took no active part. One day there was a hurried conversation
just outside his door.

"Did you give it to her?" said Lydia's voice.

Emma replied, "Yes'm."

"Open? Just as it came? Just as I gave it to you?"

Emma again replied, "Yes'm."

"Did she look surprised?"

"She gave a little jump, miss," said Emma deliberately, as if weighing
her words, "and she looked at it back and front."

"Well, what then? Go on."

"Oh! then she laid it down and said it was quite right, and she'd see
about it."

Lydia laughed. "I think there'll be some more--" she said. Percival
threw the tongs into t