In reality, there was no blame to be attached to her; she had been guilty of no encouragement or coquetry. I could not bear that she should brood over his illness, until she accused herself as the cause, and really grew horrified at what she might fancy her own wickedness. "He is in God's hands," I said; "either way it would have been as He willed." "Then you do not think that any trouble--any--" "I think he would have been sick," I replied, seeing her unable to go on; "he has not looked well for some time past, and his grandmother told me that he had always been somewhat subject to fevers." Jessie breathed heavily, and looked relieved. In our preoccupation we had passed from the grounds into the high-road, instead of taking the footpath. "We must strike into the clover-field at the turn," I said, when I observed our error; "it would make too long a walk to follow the road." Jessie did not answer. I heard the tramp of horses' hoofs, and looking up saw Mr. Lawrence riding rapidly toward us. He did not check his horse, but lifted his riding-cap, gave a low, stately bow, a quick glance at Jessie's tear-stained face, and galloped on. I heard Jessie utter a smothered exclamation, but she did not speak a word. "Mr. Lawrence seems in great haste," I observed, but she did not answer. I was confident Mrs. Dennison had been besetting him again, for he was pale and looked fiercely excited. "Here is the path," said Jessie, suddenly. We turned into it and walked home, scarcely once breaking that unusual silence. CHAPTER XXXVI. LOTTIE'S REPORT. When we reached the house, Jessie went directly up to her room. I did not attempt to detain her, knowing that she would be much better alone. I went to my chamber, likewise, but I was not left long to my bewildering meditations, for Lottie's quick tap sounded at the door, and in she danced in the fantastic manner which always betrayed great excitement. She closed the door carefully, and stood before me with her hands folded behind her back. "I told you how it would be!" she exclaimed. "What do you mean?" I asked. "Why, you're flying out at Babylon; she's mad, and you'll take the consequences, you will." "I do not imagine they will be very terrible, Lottie." "That's as a body may happen to think. There's been a great time since you started." "What has happened?" I inquired, losing all scruples as to the manner in which Lottie might have obtained her information. "In the first place, we had Lawrence--" "Was he here?" "No, no. Babylon went out to walk for her health--you see Babylon needs exercise. After you stole away, I had my eye on her--" "Why, you did not see us go." "Oh, didn't I?" she demanded, ironically, nodding her head with great significance. "I was at my window, Miss Hyde, and I always keep my eyes open. Howsumever, I wasn't watching you; I'm above such tricks, unless I feel it my duty, then I never stop at nothing--anything, I mean, thinking of the grammar."