Accordingly he led along the horse, and walked beside her, impatient enough nevertheless.
Thus they proceeded to the turnpike road, and ascended Rub-Down Hill to the gate he had been leaning over when she surprised him ten days before.

This was the end of her excursion.

Fitzpiers bade her adieu with affection, even with tenderness, and she observed that he looked weary-eyed.
"Why do you go to-night ?" she said.

"You have been called up two nights in succession already." "I must go," he answered, almost gloomily.

"Don't wait up for me." With these words he mounted his horse, passed through the gate which Grace held open for him, and ambled down the steep bridle-track to the valley.
She closed the gate and watched his descent, and then his journey onward.