But sweet as such Sabbaths were to both woman and child, Elizabeth knew that they deepened the unfavorable opinion about her, and she was sure that they always grieved her old friend. So, one Monday morning after an absence from church, she took the path through the park, determined to call upon him, and explain, as far as she was able, her reasons. It was a lovely day, and the child walked by her side, or ran hither and thither after a blue-bell, or a primrose; stopping sometimes behind, to watch a pair of building robins, or running on in advance after a rabbit. There was in Elizabeth's heart a certain calm happiness, which she did not analyze, but was content to feel and enjoy. At a turn in the avenue she saw the rector approaching her, and there was something in his appearance, even in the distance, which annoyed and irritated her. "He is coming to reprove me, of course," she thought; and she mentally resolved for once, to defend herself against all assertions. "Good-morning, Miss Hallam; I was coming to see you." "And I was going to the rectory. As the park is so pleasant, will you return with me?" "Yes, I will. Have you any idea why I was coming to see you?" "I have. It was to say something unjust or cruel, I suppose. No one ever comes to see me for any other purpose." "Whose fault is that?" "Not mine. I have done no wrong to any one." "What has your life been during the last three years?" "Free from all evil. My worst enemy cannot accuse me." "Why have you closed the hall? Given up all the kind and hospitable ways of your ancestors? Shut yourself up with one old woman?" "Because my conscience and my heart approves what I have done, and do. Can I not live as I choose? Am I obliged to give an account of myself, and of my motives, to every man and woman in the parish? O! I have been cruelly, shamefully used!" she said, standing suddenly still and lifting her face, "God alone knows how cruelly and how unjustly!" "My dear child, people know nothing of your motives." "Then they are wicked to judge without knowledge." "Do you not owe society something?" "It has no right to insist that I wear my heart upon my sleeve." "I was your father's friend; I have known you from your birth, Elizabeth Hallam--"