"Come and stroll about a bit with me through the orchard,--it will
cheer you to see the apples hanging in such rosy clusters among
the grey-green leaves. Nothing prettier in all the world, I
think!--and they are just ripening enough to be fragrant. Come,
dear! Let us talk our troubles out!"

She walked by his side, mutely--and they moved slowly together
under the warm scented boughs, through which the sunlight fell in
broad streams of gold, making the interlacing shadows darker by
contrast. There was a painful throbbing in her throat,--the
tension of struggling tears which strove for an outlet,--but
gradually the sweet influences of the air and sunshine did good
work in calming her nerves, and she was quite composed when Robin
spoke again.

"You see, dear, I know quite well what is worrying you. I'm
worried myself--and I'd better tell you all about it. Last night--"
he paused.

She looked up at him, quickly.

"Last night?--Well?"

"Well--Ned Landon was in hiding in the bushes under your window--
and he must have been there all the time we were talking together.
How or why he came there I cannot imagine. But he heard a good
deal--and when you shut your window he was waiting for me.
Directly I got down he pounced on me like a tramp-thief, and--now
there!--don't look so frightened!--he said something that I
couldn't stand, so we had a jolly good fight. He got the worst of