CHAPTER VIII.
'Allen-a-Dale is no baron or lord.' The mists were creeping out of pools and swamps for their pilgrimages of the night when Stephen came up to the front door of the vicarage.
Elfride was standing on the step illuminated by a lemon-hued expanse of western sky.
'You never have been all this time looking for that earring ?' she said anxiously.
'Oh no; and I have not found it.' 'Never mind.

Though I am much vexed; they are my prettiest.

But, Stephen, what ever have you been doing--where have you been?
I have been so uneasy.

I feared for you, knowing not an inch of the country.

I thought, suppose he has fallen over the cliff! But now I am inclined to scold you for frightening me so.' 'I must speak to your father now,' he said rather abruptly; 'I have so much to say to him--and to you, Elfride.' 'Will what you have to say endanger this nice time of ours, and is it that same shadowy secret you allude to so frequently, and will it make me unhappy ?' 'Possibly.' She breathed heavily, and looked around as if for a prompter.
'Put it off till to-morrow,' she said.
He involuntarily sighed too.
'No; it must come to-night.