"Nothing! nothing!" she said hastily. "A matter which does not concern you, Frank. But it is time to adopt strong measures. Mr Tempest"—she went to the vicar—"come for a stroll with me. I wish to speak to you."
"About parish matters?" asked the vicar, rather nervously, for he knew Mrs Gabriel's tongue and temper. "Won't you speak to Raston?"
"It is not about parish matters," said Mrs Gabriel. "It is concerning your daughter and Leo."
Mr Tempest looked up sharply. "Indeed!" he said, with quite a new note in his voice. "Nothing wrong, I trust?"
"I shall leave you to judge of that," replied Mrs Gabriel. "Come, vicar!" and she carried the old man away. Hale started after them distrustfully.
"What does she intend to do now?" he muttered. "I intend to take my own way in this matter, and I don't trust her. Too clever by half!"
Meantime Leo and Sybil, not thinking of the envy their happiness caused, were walking slowly along. Every now and then they would turn and look at one another and smile. The action seemed childish, but those who are deeply in love are often nothing but children. Then they came to talk of their future.
"When are you going away, Leo?" asked Sybil.
"I go to Town next Monday," replied Leo. "I start at seven o'clock for Portfront, and there take the steamer that leaves at ten."
"And the money for your debts?"