CHAPTER IV.
HOW THE HEART OF MAURICE GREW HOT WITHIN HIM, AND HOW HE PUT THE QUESTION TO THE TOUCH, AND HOW HE NEITHER LOST NOR WON.
Mrs.Bethune, sauntering slowly between the bushes laden with exquisite blooms, all white and red and yellow, looks up as he approaches her with a charming start.
"You!" she says, smiling, and holding out her hand--a large hand but beautiful.

"It is my favourite spot.

But that _you_ should have come here too!" "You knew I should come!" returns he gravely.

Something in her charming air of surprise jars upon him at this moment.

Why should she pretend ?--and to him! "I knew ?" "You told me you were coming here." "Ah, what a lovely answer!" says she, with a glance from under her long lashes, that--whatever her answer may be--certainly _is_ lovely.
Rylton regards her moodily.