lovely morning in November, without a movement in the air, calm and cloudless, one of those mornings not uncommon when the year begins to die. She went into the woods at the outer edge of the park, and had scarcely entered them, when lo! to her astonishment, there was Charles. She could not avoid him, and he came up to her. “‘Why, Miss Eyre, what are you doing here?’ “‘I had a headache; I could not go with the others, and came out for a stroll.’ “‘I, too, was not very well, and have been left behind.’ “They walked together side by side. “‘I wanted to speak to you, Miss Eyre. I wonder if you have suspected anything lately.’ “‘Suspected? I do not quite comprehend: you are very vague.’ “‘Well, must I be more explicit? Have you fancied that I care more for somebody you know than I care for all the world besides? I suppose you have not, for I thought it better to hide as much as possible what I felt.’ “‘I should be telling an untruth if I were to say I do not understand you, and I trust you will pardon me if I tell you that a girl more worthy of you than Evelina, and one more likely to make you happy, I have never seen.’ “‘Gracious God! what have I done? what a mistake! Miss Eyre, it is you I mean; it is you I love.’ “There was not an instant’s hesitation. “‘Sir, I thank you, but I can answer at once. _Never_ can I be yours. That decision is irrevocable. I admire you, but cannot love you.’ “She parted from him abruptly, but no sooner had she left him than she was confounded, and wondered who or what it was which gave that answer. She wavered, and thought of going back, but she did not. Later on in the day she heard that Charles had gone home, summoned by sudden business. Two years afterwards his engagement with Evelina was announced, and in three years they were married. It was not what I should call a happy marriage, although they never quarrelled and had five children. To the day of her death Phyllis was not sure whether she had done right or wrong, nor am I.” THE GOVERNESS’S STORY