"Ah! then you must like mine. Indeed, I should be afraid to tell you a story; I am certain those honest eyes of yours would detect it at once." I disclaimed any such extraordinary powers for my poor eyes, and the widow rattled on about something else. She always went from one subject to another in a rapid, graceful way, like a bird flying about in the trees. "Why, where is Mr. Lee?" she asked. "Gone out," said Jessie; "he went early." "How ungallant," she returned; but she looked so very innocent that I was more than ever convinced she had seen him before his departure. One thing I could say for Mrs. Dennison, she never troubled her hosts to entertain her. Directly after breakfast, she went, as usual, her own way, and Jessie and I were free to start upon our expedition. "We had better go at once," I said; "there is no telling when she may dance in upon us again." "You don't like her, Aunt Matty," replied Jessie; "I am sure you don't, yet she is very charming." "Never mind; there is no time to discuss my fancies," I said. "Get your bonnet, Jessie." She hesitated and grew a little pale, but complied at once. We were ready in a few moments, and, passing through the garden, went down the path by the grove, and took our way across the fields to the old house. Jessie was very silent during our walk, and I was so much occupied with my plans and my fancies that I had little time to break the thread of her thoughts. When we reached the gate that led into the door-yard, Jessie stopped. "Oh, I am so frightened," she said. Poor child! she was very pale, and shook from head to foot with an agitation that reminded me painfully of her mother's nervous excitements. I did my best to soothe her, but, in spite of her efforts, it was some moments before she could go on. "You will not mind it after the first meeting," I said. "I am very foolish, I know. There, I am ready now." As we turned into the avenue, I saw Mr. Lawrence pass along the road on horseback. He gave a sharp, quick look, and rode on. I said nothing to Jessie; it was useless to agitate her further. His passing at that time might have been mere chance. Jessie clung to me as we went up the two broad steps and entered the hall. I did not speak, contenting myself with a reassuring pressure of the hand; for I knew from experience that in cases of nervous dread one is only made worse by persuasions and cheering speeches. We were shown into the room where I had before waited for old Mrs. Bosworth, and very soon I heard the rustle of her dress in the hall. The old lady came in with her stately manner, but I could see that trouble and watching had left their effect upon her, and it seemed to me that I could discover smothered pain in her eyes when she greeted Jessie. But she was exceedingly kind,--so gentle and caressing, that the girl soon recovered from her fright and began to look like herself.