One balmy, lovely day, Elizabeth rode out with her cousins; Mrs. Raby was driving her father-in-law through the grounds in the pony phaeton--Falkner had been out, and was returned. Several days had passed, and no answer arrived from Neville. He was uneasy and sad, and yet rejoiced at the respite afforded to the final parting with his child. Suddenly, from the glass doors of the saloon he perceived a gentleman riding up the avenue; he recognised him, and exclaimed, "All is over!" At that moment he felt himself transported to a distant land--surrounded by strangers--cut off from all he held dear. Such must be the consequence of the arrival of Gerard Neville; and it was he who, dismounting, in a few minutes after entered the room. He came up to Falkner, and held out his hand, saying, "We must be friends, Mr. Falkner--from this moment I trust that we are friends. We join together for the happiness of the dearest and most perfect being in the world." Falkner could not take his hand--his manner grew cold; but he readily replied, "I hope we do; and we must concert together to ensure our success." "Yet there is one other," continued Neville, "whom we must take into our consultations." "Mrs. Raby?" "No! Elizabeth herself. She alone can decide for us all, and teach us the right path to take. Do not mistake me; I know the road she will point out, and am ready to follow it. Do you think I could deceive her? Could I ask her to give me her dear self, and thus generously raise me to the very height of human happiness, with deception on my lips? I were indeed unworthy of her, if I were capable of such an act. "Yet, but for the sake of honest truth, I would not even consult her--my own mind is made up if you consent; I am come to you, Mr. Falkner, as a suppliant, to ask you to give me your adopted child, but not to separate you from her: I should detest myself if I were the cause of so much sorrow to either. If my conduct need explanation in the world, you are my excuse, I need go no further. We must both join in rendering Miss Raby happy, and both, I trust, remain friends to the end of our lives." "You are generous," replied Falkner; "perhaps you are just. I am not unworthy of the friendship you offer, were you any other than you are." "It is because I am such as I am that I venture to make advances which would be impertinent from any other."