The storm was passing away, the rain had not quite ceased, but the sunbeams were struggling through the clouds, and every tree and shrub was fringed with glittering drops of light, while the effect of the flitting shadows chasing each other over the distant landscape was beautiful to see.
“There is no hurry,” said Captain Hepburn, gently checking the impetuous steps with which Hilary had at first proceeded.
“Do not agitate yourself, we are quite safe. The storm is all but over now, and you may walk quietly. It is pleasant to be together here, Hilary.”
A gentle pressure of the arm on which she leaned, was her only answer, she had not quite self-command enough to speak.
“I wish I had come a little sooner to look for you,” added he; “had you been long there?”
“I don’t know; it seemed long, it was so disagreeable,” and her voice was checked by a sob. But recovering by an effort, she added immediately: “However, it is over now, and we need not refer to it.”
He did not answer for a little while, but at last he said, very gently, but with a manner which seemed to indicate that his mind was made up on the point. “Hilary, I do not think that is right, either by me or yourself, in our relative situations. If I were to remain with you, to protect and watch over you, I would not ask your confidence on that point. I could act for myself and you too. But since I must leave you so soon, and in the neighborhood of that man, whose bad passions are all raised by your refusal of his addresses, at least let me know all. Let me understand exactly what has passed, that I may form some idea of what there is to dread. Indistinctness of outline always magnifies objects. Let us view the matter calmly and clearly.”
“How much do you know?” said she, looking up at him. “I never told you that.”
“You did not, dear, but Miss Fielding told me at ‘the Ferns,’ that her cousin had been in love with you for years, had been refused by you once, but that he still hoped to win your love; and that the fête which so nearly cost you your life, was devised and carried out as a compliment to yourself.”
“Had I suspected that,” said Hilary, emphatically, “do you think any persuasion would have induced me to go there? Oh, no!”