By their united efforts, each standing on one of the springs of the
trap, they pressed them down sufficiently to insert across the jaws a
billet which they dragged from a faggot near at hand; and it was then
possible to extract the silk mouthful from the monster's bite, creased
and pierced with many holes, but not torn. Fitzpiers assisted her to
put it on again; and when her customary contours were thus restored
they walked on together, Grace taking his arm, till he effected an
improvement by clasping it round her waist.
The ice having been broken in this unexpected manner, she made no
further attempt at reserve. "I would ask you to come into the house,"
she said, "but my meetings with you have been kept secret from my
father, and I should like to prepare him."
"Never mind, dearest. I could not very well have accepted the
invitation. I shall never live here again--as much for your sake as
for mine. I have news to tell you on this very point, but my alarm had
put it out of my head. I have bought a practice, or rather a
partnership, in the Midlands, and I must go there in a week to take up
permanent residence. My poor old great-aunt died about eight months
ago, and left me enough to do this. I have taken a little furnished
house for a time, till we can get one of our own."
He described the place, and the surroundings, and the view from the
windows, and Grace became much interested. "But why are you not there
now?" she said.
"Because I cannot tear myself away from here till I have your promise.
Now, darling, you will accompany me there--will you not? To-night has
settled that."
Grace's tremblings had gone off, and she did not say nay. They went on
together.
The adventure, and the emotions consequent upon the reunion which that
event had forced on, combined to render Grace oblivious of the
direction of their desultory ramble, till she noticed they were in an
encircled glade in the densest part of the wood, whereon the moon, that
had imperceptibly added its rays to the scene, shone almost vertically.
It was an exceptionally soft, balmy evening for the time of year, which
was just that transient period in the May month when beech-trees have
suddenly unfolded large limp young leaves of the softness of
butterflies' wings. Boughs bearing such leaves hung low around, and
completely enclosed them, so that it was as if they were in a great
green vase, which had moss for its bottom and leaf sides.