The night was calm and pleasant, though somewhat chilly for the beginning of May, and the moon was getting high in the sky.
"When will he come home ?" she murmured, as she leaned her head upon the gate.

"Oh, what would life be like without him?
How miserable these few days have been! I wonder what took him there! I wonder what is detaining him! Corny said he was only gone for a day." The faint echo of footsteps in the distance stole upon her ear, and Barbara drew a little back, and hid herself under the shelter of the trees, not choosing to be seen by any stray passer-by.

But, as they drew near, a sudden change came over her; her eyes lighted up, her cheeks were dyed with crimson, and her veins tingled with excess of rapture--for she knew those footsteps, and loved them, only too well.
Cautiously peeping over the gate again, she looked down the road.

A tall form, whose very height and strength bore a grace of which its owner was unconscious, was advancing rapidly toward her from the direction of West Lynne.

Again she shrank away; true love is ever timid; and whatever may have been Barbara Hare's other qualities, her love at least was true and deep.