"How do you do, Mr. Batiscombe?" she said, quite naturally, holding out her hand to him. But in the open air, his hand touching hers, she could not help blushing a little when she thought of that dream an hour ago.
"You did not go to Rome, after all?" he said, as they began to walk along the lane.
"No," she answered, "it was too hot. Do you often go to the little church, Mr. Batiscombe? It is so nice and quiet there, is it not?"
She was determined to put a bold face on the matter. Besides, he perhaps had not heard those sobs,--he had only seen her kneeling, perhaps, and had not understood that she was crying. But Julius had seen all and heard all, and was pondering deep in his heart the causes which could make her unhappy, seeing she was young and, in his opinion, beautiful,--married, as society said, to the man she loved, and not lacking the goods of this world, while praying ardently for those of the next.
"I have sometimes looked in," answered Batiscombe. "It was a chance that took me there to-day."
"Yes "--he glanced down sidelong at her face--"that is to say--not altogether."
She was silent, walking serenely by his side.
"No, not altogether," he continued, determining suddenly on his course. "The fact is, I was walking by your place, and a servant who was just coming out told me you were in church, and then I went in. I suppose I ought not to have done it," he added with a little laugh; "I am very sorry I disturbed you. Pray forgive me."
"Not at all,--churches are free for every one. But why do you laugh?"
"At my own stupidity," he answered. "I might have known that when you go to church at odd times you go to be alone, and not to have wandering callers sent there after you."
"What makes you think that?" she asked, curious to know how much he had noticed. She argued that if he had heard her crying he would think the question natural, whereas, if he had not, he would not suspect anything from it.
"Because you acted as though you thought you were alone," he said seriously.
"I did think so," she said, blushing faintly. "Do you know? I was quite startled when I saw you there."
"I saw you were," he answered, still very gravely, "and I am very sorry."
"Do you remember what I said to you at Castellamare, Mr. Batiscombe?"