“It is pleasant in the plantations,” Dr. May answered for her; “but I am afraid we are late, and our punctual friends will be in despair. Will you kindly say we are at hand?”
Sir Henry rode on, finding that he was not to be allowed to walk his horse with them, and that Miss Rivers had never looked up.
“Poor Sir Henry!” said Dr. May.
“He has no right to be surprised,” said Meta, very low.
“And so you were marching right upon Drydale!” continued Dr. May, not able to help laughing. “It was a happy dispensation that I met you.”
“Oh, I am so glad of it!” said Meta.
“Though to be sure you were disarming suspicion by so cautiously keeping the road between you. I should never have guessed what you had been at.”
There was a little pause, then Meta said, rather tremulously, “Please—I think it should be known at once.”
“Our idle deeds confessed without loss of time, miss?”
Norman came across the path, saying, “Meta is right—it should be known.”