To no such folly would
Sepia be a victim.
The analysis of such a nature as hers, with her story to set it
forth, would require a book to itself, and I must happily content
myself with but a fact here and there in her history.
In one of her rambles on his ground she had her desire, and met
Godfrey Wardour. He lifted his hat, and she stopped and addressed
him by way of apology.
"I am afraid you think me very rude, Mr. Wardour," she said. "I
know I am trespassing, but this field of yours is higher than the
ground about Durnmelling, and seems to take pounds off the weight
of the atmosphere."
For all he had gone through, Godfrey was not yet less than
courteous to ladies. He assured Miss Yolland that Thornwick was
as much at her service as if it were a part of Durnmelling.
"Though, indeed," he added, with a smile, "it would be more
correct to say, 'as if Durnmelling were a part of Thornwick'--for
that was the real state of the case once upon a time."
The statement interested or seemed to interest Miss Yolland,
giving rise to many questions; and a long conversation ensued.
Suddenly she woke, or seemed to wake, to the consciousness that
she had forgotten herself and the proprieties together: hastily,
and to all appearance with some confusion, she wished him a good
morning; but she was not too much confused to thank him again for
the permission he had given her to walk on his ground.
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