"It'll be getting dark in a little time."

"Not before we're in Dillsborough. If it were ever so dark we could
find our way home by ourselves. Come along, Dolly."

Over the last stile he had stayed a moment to help the younger
girl, and as he did so Kate whispered a word in his ear. "She's
angry because she couldn't go up to the house with that stuck-up
fellow." It was a foolish word; but then Kate Masters had not
had much experience in the world. Whether overcome by Mary's
resolute mode of speaking, or aware that the high road would not
suit his purpose, he did turn back as soon as he had seen them a
little way on their return towards the town. He had not gone half a
mile before he met Morton, and had been half-minded to make some
apology to him. But Morton had denied him the opportunity, and he
had walked on to his own house,--low in spirits indeed, but still
with none of that sorest of agony which comes to a lover from the
feeling that his love loves some one else. Mary had been very
decided with him,--more so he feared than before; but still he saw
no reason why he should not succeed at last. Mrs. Masters had told
him that Mary would certainly give a little trouble in winning, but
would be the more worth the winner's trouble when won. And she had
certainly shown no preference for any other young man about the
town. There had been a moment when he had much dreaded Mr. Surtees.
Young clergymen are apt to be formidable rivals, and Mr. Surtees
had certainly made some overtures of friendship to Mary Masters.
But Larry had thought that he had seen that these overtures had not
led to much, and then that fear had gone from him. He did believe
that Mary was now angry because she had not been allowed to walk
about Bragton with her old friend Mr. Morton. It had been natural