We have left our own domain behind us, and have reached Mrs.Huntley's white gate.

Through the bars I see the sheltered laurestines all ablow.
"May I wait for you here ?" say I, with diffident urgency, reflecting hopefully, as I make the suggestion, on the wholesome effect, on the length of the interview that the knowledge of my being, flattening my nose against the bars of the gate all through it, must necessarily have.
Again he looks down, as if unwilling to meet my appealing eyes.
"I think not, Nancy," he answers, reluctantly.

"You see, I cannot possibly tell how long I might be obliged to keep you waiting." "I do not mind waiting at all," persist I, eagerly.

"I am not very impatient; I shall not expect you to be very quick, and" (going on very fast, to hinder him from the second refusal which I see hovering on his lips), "and it is not at all cold; just now you yourself said that you had felt many a chillier May-day, and I am so warmly wrapped up, pet!" (taking hold of one of his fingers, and making it softly travel up and down the fur of my thick coat).
He shakes his head, with a gesture unwilling, yet decided.
"No, Nancy, it could not be! I had rather that you would go home." "I have no doubt you would!" say I, turning sharply and huffily away; then, with a sudden recollecting and repenting myself, "May I come back, then ?" I say, meekly.

"Come and fetch you, I mean, after a time--any long time that you like!" "_Will_ you ?" he cries, with animation, the look of unwilling refusal vanishing from his face.