The nights were yet chilly,--though the first blooms were on the

trees,--and the wadded cloak and hood were not so far out of season as

to cause remark. As she came downstairs, the clock struck seven. There

was yet an hour, and she durst not wait so long at the bottom of the

garden while it was early in the evening. When her work was done, Lysbet

frequently walked down it; she had a motherly interest in the budding

fruit-trees and the growing flowers. And a singular reluctance to leave

home assailed Katherine. If she had known that it was to be forever, her

soul could not have more sensibly taken its farewell of all the dear,

familiar objects of her daily life. About her mother this feeling

culminated. She found her cap a little out of place; and her fingers

lingered in the lace, and stroked fondly her hair and pink cheeks, until

Lysbet felt almost embarrassed by the tender, but unusual show of

affection.

"Now, then, go, my Katherine. To Joanna give my dear love. Tell her that

very good were the cheesecakes and the krullers, and that to-morrow I

will come over and see the new carpet they have bought."

And while she spoke she was retying Katherine's hood, and admiring as

she did so the fair, sweet face in its quiltings or crimson satin, and

the small, dimpled chin resting upon the fine bow she tied under it.

Then she followed her to the door, and watched her down the road until

she saw her meet Dominie Van Linden, and stand a moment holding his

hand. "A message I am going for my mother," she said, as she firmly

refused his escort. "Then with madam, your mother, I will sit until you

return," he replied cheerfully; and Katherine answered, "That will be a

great pleasure to her, sir."

A little farther she walked; but suddenly remembering that the dominie's

visit would keep her mother in the house, and being made restless by the

gathering of the night shadows, she turned quickly, and taking the very

road up which Hyde had come the night Neil Semple challenged him, she

entered the garden by a small gate at its foot, which was intended for

the gardener's use. The lilacs had not much foliage, but in the dim

light her dark, slim figure was undistinguishable behind them. Longingly

and anxiously she looked up and down the water-way. A mist was gathering

over it; and there were no boats in the channel except two

pleasure-shallops, already tacking to their proper piers. "The

Dauntless" had been out of sight for hours. There was not the splash of

an oar, and no other river sound at that point, but the low, peculiar

"wish-h-h" of the turning tide.




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