Dr. Ashton took her on his arm, and they walked
slowly in the direction of the little bridge. Colour was returning to her
face, strength to her frame.
"The heat of the day has affected you, possibly?"
"Yes, perhaps; I have felt faint at times lately. The church was very hot
to-night."
Nothing more was said until the bridge was gained, and then Maude
released his arm.
"Dr. Ashton, I thank you very much. You have been a friend in need."
"But are you sure you are strong enough to go on alone? I will escort you
to the house if you are not."
"Quite strong enough now. Thank you once again."
As he was bowing his farewell, a sudden impulse to speak, and set the
matter that was troubling her at rest, came over her. Without a moment's
deliberation, without weighing her words, she rushed upon it; the
ostensible plea an apology for her mother's having spoken to him.
"Yes, I told Lady Kirton she was labouring under some misapprehension,"
he quietly answered.
"Will you forgive _me_ also for speaking of it?" she murmured. "Since my
mother came home with the news of what you said, I have been lost in a
sea of conjecture: I could not attend to the service for dwelling upon
it, and might as well not have been in church--a curious confession to
make to you, Dr. Ashton. Is it indeed true that you know nothing of
the matter?"
"Lady Kirton told me in so many words that I had entered an action
against Lord Hartledon for breach of promise, and laid the damages at ten
thousand pounds," returned Dr.
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