The Miss Austins turned into the trees that encircled Leywood, Kitty and John faced the hill, and ascending, they soon stood, tiny specks upon the evening hours. Speaking of the Devil's Dyke, Kitty said-- 'What! you mean to say you never heard the legend? You, a Sussex man!' 'I have lived very little in Sussex, and I used to hate the place; I am only just beginning to like it. But tell me the legend.' 'Very well; let's try and find a place where we can sit down. The grass is full of that horrid prickly gorse.' 'Here's a nice soft place; there is no gorse here. Now tell me the legend.' 'You do astonish me,' said Kitty, seating herself on the spot that had been chosen for her. 'You never heard of the legend of St. Cuthman!' 'Won't you cross the poor gipsy's palm with a bit of silver, my pretty gentleman, and she'll tell you your fortune and that of your pretty lady.' Kitty uttered a startled cry and turning they found themselves facing a strong black-eyed girl. 'What do you think, Kitty, would you like to have your fortune told?' Kitty laughed. 'It would be rather fun,' she said. And she listened to the usual story of a handsome young gentleman who would woo her, win her, and give her happiness and wealth. John threw the girl a shilling. She withdrew. They watched her passing through the furze. 'What nonsense they talk; you don't believe that there's anything in what they say,' said Kitty, raising her eyes. John's eyes were fixed upon her. He tried to answer her question, which he had only half heard. But he could not form an intelligible sentence. There was a giddiness in his brain which he had never felt before; he trembled, and the victim of an impulse which forced him toward her, he threw his arms about her and kissed her violently. 'Oh, don't,' cried the girl, 'let me go--oh, John, how could you,' and disengaging herself from his arms she looked at him. The expression of deep sorrow and regret on his face surprised her more even than his kiss. She said, 'What is the matter, John? Why did you--' She did not finish the sentence. 'Do not ask me, I do not know. I cannot explain--a sudden impulse for which I am hardly accountable. You are so beautiful,' he said, taking her hand gently, 'that the temptation to kiss you--I don't know... I suppose it is natural desire to kiss what is beautiful. But you'll forget this, you will never mention it. I humbly beg your pardon.' John sat looking into space, and, seeing how troubled he was, Kitty excused the kiss. 'I'm sure I forgive you, John. There was no great harm. I believe young men often kiss girls. The Austin girls do, I know, they have told me so. I shouldn't have cried out so if you hadn't taken me by surprise. I forgive you, John, I know you didn't mean it, you meant nothing.' His face frightened her. 'You must never do so again. It is not right; but we have known each other always--I don't think it was a sin. I don't think that father or Mrs. Norton would think it---'