Page:Wuthering Heights and Agnes Grey (1st edition), Volume 3 (Agnes Grey).djvu/217

Rh strolled lingering along under the budding horse-chestnut trees that stretched their long arms over the park-palings, with her closed book in one hand, and in the other, a graceful sprig of myrtle which served her as a very pretty play thingher bright ringlets escaping profusely from her little bonnet, and gently stirred by the breeze, her fair cheek flushed with gratified vanity, her smiling blue eyes, now slyly glancing towards her admirer, now gazing downward at her myrtle sprig. But Snap, running before me, interrupted her in the midst of some half pert, half playful repartee, by catching hold of her dress and vehemently tugging thereat, till Mr. Hatfield, with his cane administered a resounding thwack upon the animal's skull, and sent it yelping back to me, with a clamorous outcry that afforded the reverend gentleman great amusement; but seeing me so near, he thought I suppose, he might as well be taking his departure; and as I stooped to caress the dog, with ostentatious pity to shew my disapproval of his severity, I heard him say,

"When shall I see you again, Miss Murray?"

"At church, I suppose," replied she, "unless