"I thought it very strange, your coming so very seldom to inquire for papa, when he was so poorly last year, when you were at Cardyllian. _He_ did not seem to mind it; but considering, as you say, how much you once used to be here, it did strike me as very unkind--I may as well say what I really thought--not only unkind, but rude. So that if there has been any change, you need not look to other people for the cause of it." "If you knew how I blame myself for that, I think, bad as it was, you'd forgive me." "I think it showed that you did not very much care what became of us." "Oh! Agnes, you did not think that--you never thought it. Unless _you_ are happy, I _can't_ be happy, nor even then unless I think you have forgiven me; and I think if I could be sure you liked me ever so little, even in the old way, I should be one of the happiest fellows in the world. I don't make any excuses--I was the stupidest fool on earth--I only throw myself on your mercy, and ask you to forgive me." "I've nothing to forgive," said Agnes, with a cruel little laugh, but changing colour. "Well--well, _forget_--oh, _do_! and shake hands like your old self. You've no idea how miserable I have been." Lowering her eyes, with a very beautiful blush and a smile--a little shy, and so gratified--and a little silvery laugh, Agnes relented, and did give her hand to Tom Sedley. "Oh, Agnes! Oh, Agnes! I'm so happy and so grateful! Oh, Agnes, you won't take it away--just for a moment." She drew her hand to remove it, for Tom was exceeding his privilege, and kissing it. "_Now_ we are friends," said Agnes, laughing. "Are we _quite_ friends?" "Yes, quite." "You must not take your hand away--one moment more. Oh, Agnes! I can never tell you--never, how I love you. You are my darling, Agnes, and I can't live without you." Agnes said something--was it reproof or repulse? He only knew that the tones were very sad and gentle, and that she was drawing her hand away. "Oh, darling, I adore you! You would not make me miserable for life. There is nothing I won't do--nothing I won't try--if you'll only say you like me--ever so little. Do sit down here just for a moment"--there was a rustic seat beside them--"only for a moment." She did sit down, and he beside her. That "moment" of Tom Sedley's grew as such moments will, like the bean that Jack sowed in his garden, till it reached--Titania knows whither! I know that Miss Charity on her return surprised it still growing. "I made the tea, Agnes, fancying you were in your room. I've had such a search for you. I really think you might have told Edward where you were going. Will you drink tea with us, Thomas Sedley, this evening? though I am afraid you'll find it perfectly cold."