Almost mechanically she took the little square white packet that lay on the garden seat by her side, and breaking the seal, on which was the vicar's crest, she found a small square morocco case; and when at last her trembling fingers had pressed the snap and raised the lid, there upon pale blue velvet lay a large oval locket, crusted with diamonds and pearls, a costly gift that glistened in the fading light, and beside it a scrap of paper, with the words-- "God bless you! May you be very happy." Eve sat with one hand laid upon her bosom to still its throbbings, and then her lips were pressed to the locket--longer still to the scrap of paper, before the case was shut, and she sat gazing up at the first stars in the pale, soft sky. A low, deep sigh escaped her lips, and then with a weary look round-- "I am stronger now," she said, and rose to go, but only shrank back in her seat as she heard a rustling noise, and then a thud, as if some one had jumped from the wall, while before she could recover herself, Tom Podmore stood before her. "Is--is anything wrong?" she gasped; for in her nervous state this sudden apparition suggested untold horrors to her excited brain. "It's only me, Miss Eve. I wanted just a word." "Why--why did you not come to the house?" she faltered, "Don't be scarred, miss. I only wanted to be sure o' seeing you alone. I just want to ask you something." "Yes," she said, composing herself. "I want to ask you to forgive me, miss, if I hurt your feelings, and do something as'll make you feel bitter again me." "You would not hurt me, Tom?" said Eve, rising and laying her hand upon his arm. "God knows I wouldn't, miss, any more than I would one of His angels," said the young fellow, excitedly; "and that's why I've come. I couldn't feel as it weer raight not to come, and even though you may think it spiteful, it isn't, but on'y for your sake alone." "Yes," said Eve, who felt giddy. "You have something dreadful to tell me." "No, Miss," said the young man, solemnly, "not to tell you, only a note to gi'e you." "A note--from Mr Selwood?" "No, miss," said Tom, not seeing the warm flush in the girl's face, "a note as weer sent last night to my Daisy, and which she give to me an hour ago." "A note?" faltered Eve, again. "Yes, miss, a note. Daisy talked it ower wi' me, and I said as you ought to see it; and even if it hurts you sore, I felt I must gi'e it to you, and theer it is." Eve felt the paper, and was aware of the fact that her visitor had scrambled over the wall, and was gone, and still she stood clutching the paper tightly, till a voice made her start, and thrust the paper into her bosom. "Eve, my child, it is damp and late." It was Mrs Glaire calling, and, picking up her presents, Eve slowly went up the garden, feeling like one in a dream, till she entered through the open window, where Mrs Glaire was waiting.