The next moment he wished he had not done it.
But it was too late. He could not go to her with the fragments. She would see he had intercepted it purposely.
Well, all the better. It was decided. He would not look at her face any more. He could not bear it.
He rushed away from the bower and made for the seaside; but he soon returned another way, gained his own room, and there burnt the fragments of the letter to ashes.
But, though he was impenitent, remorse was not subdued. He could not look Grace Carden in the face now. So he sent word he must go back to Hillsborough directly.
He packed his bag and went down-stairs with it.
On the last landing he met Grace Carden. She started a little.
“What! going away?”
“Yes, Miss Carden.”
“No bad news, I hope?” said she, kindly.