'I am afraid I am a very impertinent--at least a very
inquisitive--wayfarer; but I could not pass by without a word, even at
the risk of interrupting you. And the truth is, I believe, if it had not
been for that chance of seeing and interrupting you, I should not have
passed through Redman's Dell to-day.'

He laughed a little as he said this; and held her hands some seconds
longer than is strictly usual in such a greeting.

'You are staying at Brandon?' said Rachel, not knowing exactly what to
say.

'Yes; Dorcas, who is always very good to me, made me promise to come
whenever I was at Drackley. I arrived yesterday, and they tell me you
stay so much at home, that possibly you might not appear in the upper
world for two or three days; so I had not patience, you see.'

It was now Rachel's turn to laugh a musical little roulade; but somehow
her talk was neither so gay, nor so voluble, as it used to be. She liked
to listen; she would not for the world their little conversation ended
before its time; but there was an unwonted difficulty in finding anything
to say.

'It is quite true; I am more a stay-at-home than I used to be. I believe
we learn to prize home more the longer we live.'

'What a wise old lady! I did not think of that; I have only learned that
whatever is most prized is hardest to find.'

'And spring is come again,' continued Rachel, passing by this little