The Woodlanders - Page 307/314

The clouds having been packed in the west that evening so as to retain

the departing glare a long while, the hour had seemed much earlier than

it was. But suddenly the question of time occurred to her.

"I must go back," she said; and without further delay they set their

faces towards Hintock. As they walked he examined his watch by the aid

of the now strong moonlight.

"By the gods, I think I have lost my train!" said Fitzpiers.

"Dear me--whereabouts are we?" said she.

"Two miles in the direction of Sherton."

"Then do you hasten on, Edgar. I am not in the least afraid. I

recognize now the part of the wood we are in and I can find my way back

quite easily. I'll tell my father that we have made it up. I wish I

had not kept our meetings so private, for it may vex him a little to

know I have been seeing you. He is getting old and irritable, that was

why I did not. Good-by."

"But, as I must stay at the Earl of Wessex to-night, for I cannot

possibly catch the train, I think it would be safer for you to let me

take care of you."

"But what will my father think has become of me? He does not know in

the least where I am--he thinks I only went into the garden for a few

minutes."

"He will surely guess--somebody has seen me for certain. I'll go all

the way back with you to-morrow."

"But that newly done-up place--the Earl of Wessex!"

"If you are so very particular about the publicity I will stay at the

Three Tuns."

"Oh no--it is not that I am particular--but I haven't a brush or comb

or anything!"