For a full hour that strange interview went on, their voices rising at times in sudden passion, then sinking to a low tone, as if the speakers remembered that they spoke words which must not be overheard.
At last Elizabeth arose from her seat, folded her cloak about her, and said, quickly:
"Be here to-morrow at the same hour."
Without giving him time to answer, or making the least sign of farewell, she darted rapidly through the darkening woods and disappeared in the direction of the house.
North rose, began whistling a careless air, and walked slowly back along the path by which he had entered the grove.
When Elizabeth came in sight of the house she saw a light in the library window.
"Elsie is back at last. God help us all!" she muttered.
She moved near the low casement, looked in and saw the girl standing on the hearth, and hurried towards the entrance.
Elsie had returned home a full hour before, and had searched for Elizabeth vainly about the house. She entered the library, and was walking restlessly about the spacious room, slowly and sadly, as if oppressed by this cold welcome home.
Suddenly her eye caught sight of a paper lying under the table; it was one of the letters which had fallen unnoticed by Elizabeth when she put away the package.