And now Bryda became conscious that they were observed by a party of girls who were returning through the meadows from a Sunday ramble with their lovers.
Several of the girls nodded and laughed at Chatterton. One stopped and said,—
'A new flame, Tom? Oh, fie for shame! Do you know, miss, whoever you may be, that Master Tom is a terrible one to shoot from Cupid's bow. He seldom misses his aim.'
'Come on,' said a gruff voice, 'and don't talk such foolery, Sally. Leave the boy to look after his own business.'
'Or rather the girl after hers,' was the saucy reply, as the pair moved away.
Jack Henderson began to think that Miss Chatterton purposely avoided joining company with her brother and Bryda.
He now said,—
'Miss Palmer has a long walk to Dowry Square. I think, by your leave, I will join her, and advise her to take advantage of Mrs Chatterton's offer to rest a while at her house.'
'Certainly, sir, if you desire it; but my brother would fain take her into the church, I fancy, before it is closed.'
Chatterton at once became moody and distrait when his tête-à-tête with Bryda was at an end. He had been annoyed, too, by the remarks of the free-spoken young lady, who had rallied him on his 'new conquest,' and when they entered the church the evil spirit was again dominant.