Delia's glance rested for a moment in silence on the bending figure, with the pale yellow hair outspread on the shoulders gleaming in the sunshine; then she said in rather a hard voice: "The fact is, I suppose, you don't _want_ to go. If so, you had better have said so at first." Anna rose quickly, and faced her friend: "It's unkind, Delia," she exclaimed, "to say that. I _do_ want to go. You know I like to be with you--and I should like to go to Dornton church much better than Waverley." "Then why don't you ask Mrs Forrest?" said Delia, calmly. "She can't mind your going if I walk back with you. It's worth the trouble, if you want to see your grandfather." Anna cast down her eyes and fidgeted with the flowers in her belt. "You don't understand," she began, rather nervously, "how difficult it is to ask Aunt Sarah some things--" "But this is quite a right, reasonable thing," interrupted Delia; "there's nothing wrong in wishing to see your grandfather sometimes. Of course, if you never ask Mrs Forrest, she thinks you don't care about it." "I do ask," said Anna. "I have often asked; but, you know I told you, Delia, Aunt Sarah never likes me to go to Dornton." "Then you mean to give it up, I suppose," said Delia, coldly. "If I'm staying with Aunt Sarah, I suppose I ought to do as she wishes," said Anna; "but, of course, I shan't give it up entirely. She doesn't wish me to do that." Delia stood for a moment in silence, her eyes fixed on Anna's pretty, downcast face. The sound of the church bells came softly to them over the fields from Dornton, and "Well," she said, with a little sigh, "I mustn't stay, or I shall be late, and I promised to meet the Professor after church. He half expects to see you with me. What shall I say to him?" "Oh, Delia!" cried Anna, looking up into her companion's face, "I _do_ wish I could go with you." "It's too late now," said Delia, turning away. "Good-bye." Anna lingered at the stile. Would not Delia turn round once and nod kindly to her, as she always did when they parted? No. Her compact figure went steadily on its way, the shoulders very square, the head held high and defiantly. Anna could not bear it. She jumped over the stile and ran after her friend. "Delia!" she called out. Delia turned and waited. "Don't be cross with me," pleaded Anna. "After all, it isn't my fault; and I _should_ like to go with you so much. And--and give my love to grandfather, please. I'm going to see him next week." She took hold of Delia's reluctant hand and kissed her cheek. Delia allowed the embrace, but did not return it. Her heart was hot within her. Mrs Winn had said that Anna was not straightforward. Was it true?