The conversation was turned, as if by one consent, to books. Adrienne’s heart was beating unwontedly fast; her knight had not only surprised, but somewhat subdued her; delighting her at the same time. He was no tool; he could turn upon her, and he had the front of a ruler. That glance and that voice were not to be forgotten. She thrilled as she remembered them. She was glad he had not gone; the sensation that he was still there was pleasurable, with a strange potency of strength. The door opened, and Mr. Blisset was wheeled in, and a servant brought afternoon tea. Then Mr. Blisset began to talk, and Myles to listen. Mr. Blisset had some of his niece’s conversational power. The time flew insensibly, till supper was announced. Myles rose, fearing he had intruded too long. ‘No,’ said Mr. Blisset. ‘Stay, unless you are tired, and my niece will give us some music.’ He looked at her, and she said, ‘Yes, do stay!’ And Myles stayed. That evening Adrienne sang some songs. She finished with ‘_Neue Liebe neues Leben_,’ and Myles went home with its last passionate words ringing in his ears: ‘_Liebe, Liebe, lass’ mich los!_’ Would it ever ‘let him loose,’ that love which had sprung up so suddenly and strongly, making every other feeling weak in the glow of its might and strength? CHAPTER XI. PROMISES. That visit was but the first of a long series. Mr. Blisset was pleased to see the young man who listened so patiently and so deferentially to him, and Myles had an ever-growing conviction that Mr. Blisset’s views of men and things, of right and wrong, were deeper and sounder than his own; riper, truer, and most justly balanced. Myles learnt much in these visits and conversations. Adrienne had been many times to the cottage on the Townfield, and had completely won the hearts of Mary and Edmund. She had opened up a new field of delight and wonder to the boy, by putting him in the way of studying botany, and his enthusiasm knew no bounds. She lent him books and specimens, and Harry Ashworth, who was a great walker, brought him all kinds of plants, and ferns, and mosses, from the moors on which he was wont to spend his Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings.