"I wonder how Dexter knew that you were here?"
"Perhaps he met grandaunt. I heard him say that he was going to Mellport to-day."
"That is it. The roads cross, and he must have met her. Probably, then, he has her permission to take you home. Miss Douglas, will you accept advice?"
"I will at least listen to it," said Anne, smiling.
"When the rain stops, as it will in a few minutes, go down alone. And say nothing to Mr. Dexter about me. Now do not begin to batter me with that aggressive truthfulness of yours. You can, of course, tell Miss Vanhorn the whole; but certainly you are not accountable to Gregory Dexter."
"But why should I not tell him?"
"Because it is as well that he should not know I have been here with you all day," said Heathcote, quietly, but curious to hear what she would answer.
"Was it wrong?"
"It was a chance. But he would think I planned it. Of course I supposed the miller and his family were here."
"But if it was wrong for you to be here when you found them absent, why did you stay?" said Anne, looking at him gravely.