'Of course, how stupid of me when I have my large hat. But I was not thinking of parasols.' 'Because you have one. It certainly is very hot here,' she said, resting the parasol on her shoulder and twirling it to and fro. 'Stifling.' 'And on the ridge, where there's a breeze, the colour of the ling makes my eyes ache. I've been sitting there reading. There was a book of yours on the parlour table, one of Bret Harte's. I took it up and carried it all the way. I did not know I was carrying it. Strange!' 'I think you knew as little what else you were doing.' There was another pause. Anna suspected indecision, but neither Mrs. Severn's face nor the poise of her figure betrayed any. She stood restfully. Still she was certainly pondering deeply. 'Not one of the windows opens,' she said suddenly. Anna could not help smiling. 'Has Hartas sealed them up since you were here last?' 'It was never weather like this. And Prissy will not let the fire go out; she likes the kettle to be always boiling.' 'I don't wonder when this is the only water to be got.' 'That is not her reason, of course.' Another figure now emerged from the cottage. They both recognised Dinah. She stood a moment, shading her eyes with her hand, looking at them. Then she went on quickly, and struck off up the slope in the direction in which Old Lafer lay. Mrs. Severn glanced keenly at Anna. 'She is going home,' she said. 'Now you would drive again with Mr. Borlase. I suppose he would take you round by the park, and the old bridge, and East Lafer.' Anna flushed, but it was with anger. 'That is not the question,' she said. 'But I shall not walk home unless you go with me, Clothilde. If you go we will walk over the moor to the wood. It will take less time, and if we can't get home before Dad does, then we must feign to have had a walk for pleasure. The drive would rest me, though. I am tired. You have alarmed me. And besides, I dare not leave you here.' Mrs. Severn laughed, an angry flush rising into her face. 'You are a goose--_dare_ not!' she said. 'And why not? You must let me do as I like. You know I may please myself now about coming here, but because it is so long since I came that you thought I never should again, you are aggrieved because I have. I should not have come but that Mrs. Hennifer called; I cannot endure her. She shall learn to keep away from Old Lafer--no, she must come as usual, oftener if she likes--and she talked about Miss Marlowe. Really Miss Marlowe's affairs don't concern me--and there's a mistake, I'm certain. But if not, what----'