The last thought was agonising, and he gazed intently upon the girl as if searching for some sign that would release him from the torture of suspense. Scarce twenty yards from where she stood, he could see the sparkle of jewellery upon the fingers of her left hand. Did one of them carry that thin circlet of gold to show she was lost to him for ever? His glance, instinctively directed to her hand, now traced the contour of her person, and once more mounted to her face. Form and features were alike scrutinised--the colour of her cheeks--the expression in her eyes--the air that pervaded all. It was that of one still single, whose fresh virginal charms had not given place to the staid demeanour produced by the solicitudes of wedded life. It pleased him to fancy so. And she, too, noted the melancholy air, and wondered at its meaning. There was much besides to wonder at in the changes that had taken place. How had Jerry Rook, a poor white, become a proprietor? He must be so if the house were his. And if not, then back again comes the painful thought that it, and she, too, might be the property of another. What had he best do? Retire without showing himself, and seek information elsewhere--some one living near who could tell him all? Or he might learn what he wanted from the landlord of the tavern where he had stopped. Should he return to it and stay till circumstances favoured him with an _eclaircissement_? Why not have it at once; and from her? Maid or married she would not be likely to remember him. A skin changed from the soft smoothness of boyhood's day--a complexion deeply bronzed--the downy cheek and lips now roughly bearded--stature increased by at least six inches, and a dress altogether different from that in which she had been accustomed to see him. "No; she will not recognise me," muttered the young man, as he completed this self-examination. "I will go round by the gate, make some excuse for a call; get into conversation with her; and then--" He was about turning, to make the circuit unobserved, when he saw that she had stepped out of the porch, and was coming towards the creek. It was for this that the kerchief had been spread over her crown, as a shade against the sun. He could not safely retreat without having his ambush discovered. He resolved to keep his place. She came on down the walk, and turned in among the trees of the orchard. Most of them were peach trees, laden with their luscious fruit, now ripe and falling. The ground was strewed with these golden globes, affording food to the honey-bee and hornet. She was now out of his sight, or seen only at intervals, her white dress gleaming through the leaves, as she moved through the orchard.