She was to leave the Tower in a week; but too pleasantly absorbed to think even of that, Alice went lightly along the dim loaning, with its high rustling hedges, and borders of wet herbage. Only one little grief lay within the glad heart, which began to throb now with deeper happiness--Anne; why would not Lewis Ross's sister acknowledge, last night her agitated, shame-faced, simple embrace? It was the only way which Alice could think of, for intimating to Anne the connexion now formed between them; and she trembled again, to remember the cold hand that had been laid upon her head, the look of sharp silent pain, that had fallen upon Lewis and herself as they stood together, in the first confidence of their betrothal--Anne, who had always been so kind and gentle to her! It made Alice uneasy, as she went dreamily forward, until brighter imaginations came to the rescue, and Anne's neglect sank into the background, in presence of that more immediate sunshine, the warmer devotion of Lewis. Loud gay voices startled her, when she had nearly reached the little gate, and looking up, she saw a couple of gentlemen approaching, whom she immediately knew to belong to Lord Gillravidge's not very orderly household at Strathoran. The aforesaid little gate was the boundary of Mrs. Catherine's property, so Alice was then in the grounds of Strathoran--the gentlemen were returning home. Alice proceeded quickly, eager to pass them, for their loud tone startled her, and she was near enough to hear a rude compliment aimed at herself, which sent the womanly blood to her cheek in indignation. They met at last, and suddenly extending their arms, the strangers barred her passage. Little Alice's heart beat like a frightened bird. She ran to each side of the road, only to shrink back again from the rude hands extended towards her; she looked back to see if there was any chance in flight, she lifted her simple face imploringly to them, and said; "Pray, let me pass; pray, gentlemen, let me pass." They laughed at her; poor little Alice was in despair. One of the strangers was the "hairy fule," who had visited Mrs. Catherine. Jacky's expressive description of him: "A man, dressed like a gentleman," was emphatically correct. The other was a simple, foolish, fair-haired lad, who, besides some boyish admiration of the pretty girl, thought this interruption of her progress a pleasant frolic, and good fun. There was no other way of entering the precincts of the Tower, except by the gap in the hedge, which the timid Alice did not dare to venture on, and so she renewed her prayer. "Pray, let me go on; pray, gentlemen, let me pass." A crash of the boughs behind her, made Alice turn her head.--Marjory Falconer, riding-whip in hand, came springing through the gap. "What is the matter, Alice?" cried Miss Falconer; "who obstructs you? Gentlemen, be so good as give way."