"But if he was not near," said Faith, "how could he think that his shot had touched you? He couldn't see it--and your running wouldn't seem like a man seriously injured?" "He might think I disapproved of discharging a gun at random, in the public road." "You don't suppose it could have been done on purpose, Mr. Linden!" she said in a changed awe-stricken tone. "I have no right to assume anything of the kind--there are all sorts of so-called accidents. But Miss Faith! if you look so frightened I shall begin to think you are an accomplice! What do _you_ know about it?" he added smiling. "Nothing--" she said rather sadly, "except a little look of something, I don't know what, in your face when you said that, Mr. Linden." "You must not look grave--nor think twice about the matter in any way," he said with a sort of kind gravity that met hers. "Is there light enough for you to read that first chapter of Physical Geography, and talk to me about it?--it is your turn to talk now." "Do you mean, aloud?--or to myself, Mr. Linden?" she asked a little timidly, "I mean, to me." Faith did not object, though her colour rose very visibly. She placed herself to catch the fading light, and read on, talking where it was absolutely necessary, but sparing and placing her questions so as to call forth as few words as possible in reply. And becoming engaged in the interest of the matter she almost forgot her timidity;--not quite, for every now and then something made it rise to the surface. The daylight was fading fast, sunlight had already gone, and the wood fire began to throw its red gleams unchecked; flashing fitfully into the corners of the room and playing hide and seek with the shadows. A little rising of the wind and light flutter of the leaves against the glass, only made the warm room more cheerful. Faith made the fire burn brightly, and finished the chapter by that, with the glow of the flickering flame dancing all over her and her book in the corner where she sat. But pages of pleasure as well as of prettiness, all those pages were. "Thank you, Miss Faith," Mr. Linden said as she closed the book. "I only wish I could give you a walk now in this bright evening air; but I must wait for that." A little tap at the door came at this point to take its place in the conversation. It was Mrs. Derrick. "Child," said the good lady, "here's Dr. Harrison down stairs." And stepping into the room, Mrs. Derrick walked softly up to the couch, and not only made enquiries but felt of Mr. Linden's hand to see if he had any fever. Faith waited, standing a little behind the couch head. "I'm not quite sure--" she said,--"your hand's a little warm, sir--but then it's apt to be towards night,--and maybe mine's a little cool. If you could only go to sleep, it would do you so much good!" And Mr. Linden laughingly promised to try, but would not guarantee the success thereof.