As the pair now began to promenade together, Cecil of course absorbed Mary, whom Mrs. Garth could not leave; it thus became a matter of course that Annabelle fell to the lot of Fotheringhame, more than perhaps her proud heart assented to. His manner was careful, studied, and deeply courteous. She could not, as yet, detect the slightest sadness in his glance or tone, or aught of tenderness or reproach either, so well did he veil his manner, and yet his heart was full of her; and thus these two, who had been so much to each other--all the world once--were meeting and acting just as those do who have known each other for half an hour, or less. So they walked slowly on and on, all unaware apparently that they were instinctively seeking the quiet and lonely avenues of the garden, yet talking the merest commonplace all the while, though drinking in each other's voices and tones, till the groups of promenaders were all left far behind, and the music of the band sounded so faint and distant that the hum of the honey-bees could be heard among the flowers. Then a silence--a long and awkward pause occurred; they felt that platitudes were failing them, and that they had a lack of words--a lack that is said to prove the deepest love, for where 'there is adoration there is paradise,' and Fotheringhame began to feel much of the old adoration in his heart for Annabelle. 'I have been on a long visit to Mary Montgomerie, at Eaglescraig,' said the latter, after a pause, during which she became very pale. 'She would insist upon me coming to Edinburgh with her; but the season here is nearly over, and I go back to mamma.' 'In Perthshire?' 'In Perthshire,' she repeated mechanically. 'Near where the silver birches overhang the Tay?' he asked with a caressing smile. 'Yes--and very soon,' said she, turning as if to retire. 'But not before our ball,' said he eagerly. 'You accepted our invitation?' 'Mary pressed me to do so,' she replied, colouring; 'and now we must hasten back to her and Mrs. Garth, for we are quite losing all that lovely music of Gounod's.' 'Stay one moment--do bear with me,' said he in an agitated voice. 'I do not understand,' she began falteringly, and then paused, yet looking him fully, firmly, and sadly in the eyes; 'have you aught to say to me?' 'So we meet again face to face, after all these changeful years, Annabelle!' 'I am simply Miss Erroll to you, Captain Fotheringhame.' 'I am only Lieutenant Fotheringhame now. If you remember the past----' 'Could I forget it?' she asked with sparkling eyes, while nervously twirling her parasol upon her shoulder, by its handle. 'Then pardon it, I pray you,' he urged in a voice which more than one woman had found it difficult to resist. 'Who is it that says, "Flowers and love have but a season"?' she asked with a little bitterness in her usually sweet tone. 'Annabelle!'