“I never waited for more. If I did say good-bye to poor Joan, I really forget; but I dashed down the mountain at speed, and hurried onward in the direction she had pointed out. In an instant all my fatigue of the day was forgotten, and as I went along I remembered nothing, thought of nothing, but the object of my pursuit. “You who have so often bantered me on the score of my languor--that 'elegant lassitude,' as you used to call it, which no zeal ever warmed, nor any ardor ever could excite--would have been somewhat astonished had you seen the reckless, headlong pace at which I went,--vaulting over gates, clearing fences, and dashing through swamps, without ever a moment's hesitation. Picture to yourself, then, my splashed and heated condition as, after a two-miles' chase in this fashion, I at length overtook her, just as she was in search of a safe spot to ford the river. Startled by the noise behind her, she turned suddenly round, and in an instant we stood face to face. I 'd have given much to have seen some show of confusion, even embarrassment in her looks, but there was not the slightest. No, Harry, had we met in a drawing-room, her manner could not have been more composed, as she said,--'Good-morning, Mr. Massingbred. Have you had much sport?' 'My chase was after _you_, Miss Henderson,' said I, hurriedly. 'I just reached Barnagheela as Mistress Joan returned, and having learned which road you took, followed you in all haste.' “'Indeed!' exclaimed she, and in a voice wherein there were blended a vast variety of meanings. “'Yes,' I resumed, 'for an opportunity of meeting you alone--of speaking with you even for a few moments--I have delayed my departure this week back. I wrote to you twice.' “'Yes; I got your letters.' “'But did not deign to answer them.' “' I did not write to you, because, situated as _I_ was, and regarded as _you_ were at Cro' Martin, there would have been a species of treason in maintaining anything like correspondence, just as I feel there is somewhat akin to it in our intercourse at this moment.' “'And have the events occurring lately changed _your_ feeling with regard to me?' asked I, half reproachfully. “'I don't exactly know to what former condition you refer, Mr. Massingbred,' said she, calmly. 'If to the counsels which you were gracious enough to receive at hands humble and inexperienced as mine, they were given, as you remember, when you were the chosen representative of the family at Cro' Martin, and continued only so long as you remained such.' “'Then I have deceived myself, Miss Henderson,' broke I in. 'I had fancied that there was a personal good-will in the aid you tendered me. I even flattered myself that I owed my success entirely and solely to your efforts.' “'You are jesting, Mr. Massingbred,' said she, with a saucy smile; 'no one better than yourself knows how to rely upon his own abilities.'