"Here is your letter, Miss Neville," said he, "I almost feared I should miss you, and that you would have reached home," and again he dismounted, so that there was no chance of escape, or of hurrying on.
"I am sorry you should have had so much trouble on my account, Mr. Linchmore, thank you very much for my letter," and her eyes brightened, as at length she recognized her mother's hand writing on the envelope.
"I am fully repaid by seeing the pleasure the sight of the letter gives you."
"Yes, it is my mother's writing, so she must be better."
"You would have had it sooner, but there had been some accident or delay with the train, I did not stop to hear what. It had not arrived long before I got there."
"Had you to go all the way to Standale? How very kind of you!"
"Not at all. It was just as well you turned back," and he pointed smilingly at the muddy state of his boots.
"I think it very kind indeed of you," replied Amy again, and then wished she had never said it, because he looked so more than pleased.
They were close to the house now; to the windows of which Amy dared not raise her eyes, but hurriedly wished him "good-bye."