There was no especial reason for going that way, only that he was as likely to encounter Ella walking--which was not often--in one direction as another; so he made up his mind to go through the copse by the broad winding path which led round the back of the Hall, then to make his way into the lane by Croppley Magna, walk on and see the old lady who had received him into her house when he had his bad hunting fall, and then return to where his horse awaited him. He had entered the copse, walking very slowly, and thinking deeply of the unsatisfactory state of affairs, when suddenly he was awakened from his musing by the sound of merry childlike laughter. A little girl dashed round a bend of the walk, closely followed by another, and then, passing him quickly, they were out of sight in an instant, just as, dreamy and thoughtful, Ella, with her head bent down, came round the bend of the path--came slowly on, nearer and nearer to where Charley stood, with palpitating heart; and the next moment, as she started from her reverie, it was with Charley holding her hand tightly in his. "Ella!" he said, the word being as it were forced from his panting breast. "Mr Vining!" she exclaimed softly, as for a moment she met his gaze, starting not from him, neither struggling to release her hands, but looking up at him with a soft pleading look, that seemed to say, "You know all that I have promised. Why do you persecute me?" "Ella," he said again, "at last!" "Mr Vining," she said wearily, "please loose my hands and let me return. This is folly; it is unjust to me and to Sir Philip Vining. You know what I have promised to him." "I know what was cruelly wrung from you," he said bitterly; "but I cannot think that you will adhere to it. Ella, dearest Ella, do you doubt my love?" She turned her eyes sadly to his for a moment, as he still held her a prisoner. "You believe me, then! You know how earnest I am!" cried Charley. "Yes--yes!" she answered, her face bearing still the same sad weary expression. "Listen to me, then," continued Charley, his words sounding deep and husky. "If we were what you would call equals in station--an utterly false position--if I were some poor penniless tutor or curate telling you of my love, pleading to you earnestly, showing you in every way how dear you were to me, would you then--could you then--return that love?" There was a silence for a few moments, and then, in a weak unguarded moment, Ella raised her eyes once more to his, to gaze, in spite of herself, fondly and earnestly, as she faintly breathed the one word "Yes." The next moment she had repented; for he had clasped her in his arms, to kiss her fondly again and again, as frightened and struggling she strove to escape. "Pray--pray, Mr Vining," she sobbed; "this is cruel--it is unfair to me;" and then she upbraided herself for her weakness.