He begged Nellie to sit out in the air as long as she felt inclined, as he should be reading to himself; so she sat on, thinking them rather a long time gone. When at last she heard their voices returning, she was surprised to find that they passed the house, and continued their way along the walk by the sea. But the gate swung to, and Dolly's little feet ran lightly up the path, then through the house and into the garden, and paused by her side. "They have taken papa a little walk, Nellie, and I've come to tell you so, and to say that there's a friend come down with papa from London, and I was to tell you so." "A friend? Who, dear?" "He's coming in; he doesn't want to go for a walk. He's just outside, Nellie." She hastened away, having discharged Walter's message most faithfully; and only waiting to lead their visitor through the room to the French door, she hurried back after the others, and left him to make his own introduction. He advanced over the soft little lawn to where Nellie was standing, waiting and wondering. As he came nearer in the half-light, she failed to recognize the stranger; but something in the sound of his step made her heart give a strange leap. He came closer and held out his hand. "Do you not remember me, Miss Arundel?" "Mr. Elliot!" exclaimed Nellie. "I have come back," he said, still clasping her hand in both his; "and I want to know if you can forgive me for going away and leaving you all these years?" "I have nothing to forgive," answered Nellie, trembling violently, and sitting down. "I am afraid you have. Such hard, bitter thoughts at first. Such a hurry to go and leave you, and try to forget you. But after a while I came to better feelings." Nellie bent her head lower, but knew not what to say. "But I have come back, Nellie. I may call you Nellie now, may I not? I have waited a long time, and I have come to ask again. Can you tell me now whether, as I have loved you so long, you can love me?" "I did not mean to be unkind then," she said softly. "I am sure you did not. Come, Nellie, it has been such a long weary time; can you not make me happy at last?" "I will try to," she said, whispering low. And then Wilmot knew that he had obtained his heart's desire. [Illustration] LONDON: JOHN F. SHAW AND CO., PATERNOSTER ROW.