sick of waiting. Martin, _do_ see him, and give him
Caroline Helstone's regards, and say she wished to know how he was, and
if anything could be done for his comfort."

"I won't."

"You are changed. You were so friendly last night."

"Come, we must not stand in this wood; it is too cold."

"But before I go promise me to come again to-morrow with news."

"No such thing. I am much too delicate to make and keep such
appointments in the winter season. If you knew what a pain I had in my
chest this morning, and how I went without breakfast, and was knocked
down besides, you'd feel the impropriety of bringing me here in the
snow. Come, I say."

"Are you really delicate, Martin?"

"Don't I look so?"

"You have rosy cheeks."

"That's hectic. Will you come--or you won't?"

"Where?"

"With me. I was a fool not to bring a cloak. I would have made you
cosy."

"You are going home; my nearest road lies in the opposite direction."

"Put your arm through mine; I'll take care of you."

"But the wall--the hedge--it is such hard work climbing, and you are too
slender and young to help me without hurting yourself."

"You shall go through the gate."

"But----"

"But, but--will you trust me or not?"

She looked into his face.

"I think I will. Anything rather than return as anxious as I came."

"I can't answer for that. This, however, I promise you: be ruled by me,
and you shall see Moore yourself."

"See him myself?"

"Yourself."

"But, dear Martin, does he know?"

"Ah! I'm dear now. No, he doesn't know."

"And your mother and the others?"

"All is right."

Caroline fell into a long, silent fit of musing, but still she walked on
with her guide. They came in sight of Briarmains.

"Have you made up your mind?" he asked.

She was silent.

"Decide; we are just on the spot. I _won't_ see him--that I tell
you--except to announce your arrival."

"Martin, you are a strange boy, and this is a strange step; but all I
feel _is_ and _has_ been, for a long time, strange. I will see him."

"Having said that, you will neither hesitate nor retract?"

"No."

"Here we are, then. Do not be afraid of passing the parlour window; no
one will see you. My father and Matthew are at the mill, Mark is at
school, the servants are in the back kitchen, Miss Moore is at the
cottage, my mother in her bed, and Mrs. Horsfall in paradise. Observe--I
need not ring. I open the door; the hall is empty, the staircase quiet;
so is t