I will take you home." Inexpressibly dear as she was to him, he offered her his arm with the most reserved air, as he added, correctingly, "I will take you, at any rate, into the drive." Thus they walked on together.

Grace vibrating between happiness and misgiving.

It was only a few minutes' walk to where the drive ran, and they had hardly descended into it when they heard a voice behind them cry, "Take out that arm!" For a moment they did not heed, and the voice repeated, more loudly and hoarsely, "Take out that arm!" It was Melbury's.

He had returned sooner than they expected, and now came up to them.

Grace's hand had been withdrawn like lightning on her hearing the second command.