In appointing to meet William on the sands the following morning, I had not reflected how difficult it would be for me to do so. I turned the subject over and over, and at length resolved to speak to Cornelius. He behaved to me at breakfast as if nothing had occurred; and when we both entered the little studio as usual, his face, though more serious than in the presence of Kate, expressed nothing like displeasure. In whose kindness and indulgence could I confide, if not in his? I hoped he would open the conversation, but, as he did not, I resolved to speak. I went up to his chair, and leaning upon it, said in a low tone: "Cornelius." "Well, Daisy," he replied, looking round. "May I say something to you? But pray," I quickly added, "pray, do not be vexed; promise that you will not." "Daisy!" exclaimed Cornelius, giving me a troubled look. "Well, then, promise nothing. I will trust to your indulgence. I can bear that you should reprove me, but I could not bear to deceive you." He took my hand in his, and, bending on me a look so keen that I began to feel disconcerted, he said slowly: "What do you mean?" I did not answer. "What do you mean?" he said, his voice rising. "Well then!" I exclaimed a little desperately, "I mean that I have made an appointment with William, and that I want your permission to keep it." Cornelius dropped my hand, and looked petrified. "You have made an appointment with that young man!" he said at length. "Yes, Cornelius." "And you come and tell it to me." "Oh, Cornelius, would you have me keep it a secret?" "But to tell it to _me_." "To whom else should I tell it?" "But to ask _me_ to let you keep it." "Of whom else should I ask it?" He seemed unable to reply. He looked at me; but no words passed his trembling lips. I began to feel hurt and dismayed at the manner in which he received my confidence. At length, he said, with forced calmness:-- "This is some mistake of mine; I have misunderstood you, Daisy. You cannot have meant to say that you had appointed a meeting with the young man I saw with you last night." "That was my meaning, Cornelius," I replied, firmly. "You confirm it," he replied, turning pale; "and I, who, after a night of tormenting thought, came down this morning, not knowing how to question you. Oh, Daisy!" There was agitation in his look and in his voice. "Cornelius," I said, with some emotion, "if I have made an appointment with William, where is the harm? It is not the first time I have done so." "Not the first time!" "No, nor the second, nor the third. We have been attached since Kate brought me to Leigh; and before William went to sea, there scarcely passed a day but we met somewhere." "And I have been away two years!" said Cornelius, in a low tone. "Not a day but you met somewhere!" "Yes, on the downs, or on the beach, where you found me last night, and where I had promised to meet him this morning."