"I will. I do think of you with pity," replied Amy. "How can I do otherwise when I have seen the anguish of your heart."
"Hush! recall not thoughts that have passed almost as quickly as they came. And now farewell, I am tired and would be alone."
As Amy came in sight of the Hall on her way home, she met Mr. Vavasour.
"Where have you been to so early?" said he; "I have watched you more than an hour ago cross the park and make for the wood, but there I lost sight of you, and have been wandering about ever since in the vain hope of finding you. Where have you been?"
But Amy was in no mood for being questioned. She felt almost vexed at it, and answered crossly—
"I should have thought Mr. Vavasour might have found something better to do than to dog my footsteps. I had no idea my conduct was viewed with suspicion."
"You are mistaken, Miss Neville, if you think I view any conduct of yours with suspicion; such an unworthy thought never entered my head. If I have unwittingly offended, allow me to apologise for that and my unpardonable curiosity which has led me into this scrape."
"Where no offence is meant, no apology is required," said Amy, coldly. "It would have been better had Mr. Vavasour remained at home instead of venturing abroad to play the spy!"
"You compare me Miss Neville, to one of the most despicable of mankind, when I am far from deserving of the epithet."