Just as Hazel Thorne was going to her seat in the gallery, the tall gentleman came through the porch, hesitated a moment, and then, seeing that the church was nearly empty, he went quickly up to the young mistress.
“Hazel,” he whispered, “I have come down on purpose. I must—I will see you after church.”
“I beg your pardon,” she said coldly; “our acquaintance is at an end.”
“End! No. I have come to my senses. It must not—it shall not be.”
“It must and shall, Mr Graves,” she said, turning away.
“For Heaven’s sake, why?” he whispered excitedly, as she was going.
“Times are changed, sir. I am only a schoolmistress now.”
Just then Mr Chute entered with the boys, and he turned white as he saw the stranger there.