"Thank you!—here it is, Sergeant." And so she turned, and was gone, leaving the Sergeant staring down at the letter in his hand, and shaking his head over it.
Anthea walked on hastily, never looking behind, and so, coming back to the house, threw herself down by the open window, and stared out with unseeing eyes at the roses nodding slumberous heads in the gentle breeze.
So the irrevocable step was taken! She had given her promise to marry Cassilis whenever he would, and must abide by it! Too late now, any hope of retreat, she had deliberately chosen her course, and must follow it—to the end.
"Begging your pardon, Miss Anthea mam—!"
She started, and glancing round, espied Adam.
"Oh!—you startled me, Adam,—what is it?"
"Begging your pardon, Miss Anthea, but is it true as Mr. Belloo be gone away—for good?"
"Yes, Adam."
"Why then all I can say is—as I'm sorry,—ah! mortal sorry I be, an' my 'eart, mam, my 'eart likewise gloomy."
"Were you so—fond of him, Adam?"