Hope hurried away on his errand, and Mary was still looking after him, when she heard horses' feet, and up came Walter Clifford, escaped from his father. He slipped off his horse directly at sight of Mary, and they came together like steel and magnet.
"Oh, Walter," said Mary, "we are not so unfortunate as we were just now.
We have a powerful friend. Where are you going in such hurry?"
"That is a good joke. Why, did you not order me to the lakes?"
"Oh yes, for Julia's bracelet. I forgot all about that."
"Very likely; but it is not my business to forget your orders."
"Dear Walter! But, dearest, things of more importance have happened since then. We have been insulted. Oh, how we have been insulted!"
"That we have," said Walter.
"And nobody knows the truth."
"Not yet."
"And our secret oppresses me—torments me—degrades me."