ask me! But when you're always surrounded by spies, when you can't say
your soul is your own, you doubt everybody!" There was such a pretty
distress in her violet eyes and curving eyebrows, that Clarence, albeit
vague as to its origin and particulars, nevertheless possessed himself
of the little hand that was gesticulating dangerously near his own, and
pressed it sympathetically. Perhaps preoccupied with her emotions, she
did not immediately withdraw it, as she went on rapidly: "And if you
were cooped up here, day after day, behind these bars," pointing to the
grille, "you'd know what I suffer."

"But"--began Clarence.

"Hush!" said Susy, with a stamp of her little foot.

Clarence, who had only wished to point out that the whole lower end of
the garden wall was in ruins and the grille really was no prevention,
"hushed."

"And listen! Don't pay me much attention to-day, but talk to HER,"
indicating the still discreet and distant Mary, "before father and
mother. Not a word to her of this confidence, Clarence. To-morrow ride
out alone on your beautiful horse, and come back by way of the woods,
beyond our turning, at four o'clock. There's a trail to the right of the
big madrono tree. Take that. Be careful and keep a good lookout, for she
mustn't see you."

"Who mustn't see me?" said the puzzled Clarence.

"Why, Mary, of course, you silly boy!" returned the girl impatiently.
"She'll be looking for ME. Go now, Clarence! Stop! Look at that lovely