Page:The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (emended first edition), Volume 1.djvu/197

Rh sounds more sisterly, and it will serve to remind me of our contract."

She smiled, and once more bid me go,—and, at length, I judged it prudent to obey; and she re-entered the house, and I went down the hill. But as I went, the tramp of horses' hoofs fell on my ear, and broke the stillness of the dewy evening; and, looking towards the lane, I saw a solitary equestrian coming up. Inclining to dusk as it was, I knew him at a glance: it was Mr. Lawrence on his grey pony. I flew across the field—leaped the stone fence—and then walked down the lane to meet him. On seeing me, he suddenly drew in his little steed, and seemed inclined to turn back, but on second thought, apparently judged it better to continue his course as before. He accosted me with a slight bow, and, edging close to the wall, endeavoured to pass on—but I was not so minded: seizing his horse by the bridle, I exclaimed;—

"Now Lawrence, I will have this mystery