Cuthbert, not thinking, gave a passing thought to her looks
and wondered why she had blushed. But when he saw her enter
the gate of Rose Cottage--she looked back twice--he
recalled the description of Jennings.
"By George!" he thought, "that was Susan Grant. I wish I had
spoken to her. I wonder why she blushed. She can't be in
love with me, as I never saw her before. All the same, it is
strange about the portrait."
It was now about four o'clock, and Cuthbert fancied that after
all it would be best to boldly ring at the door and ask
admission, in spite of Mrs. Octagon.
But while hesitating to risk all his chances of seeing Juliet
on one throw of fortune's dice, the matter was decided for him
by the appearance of Juliet herself. She came out of the gate
and walked directly towards the path. It would seem as though
she expected to find Cuthbert, for she walked straight up to
him and caught his hand. There was no one about to see their
meeting, but Juliet was not disposed to behave tenderly.
"Why are you here?" she asked. "Susan Grant told me you--"
"Susan Grant!" echoed Cuthbert, resolved not to know too much
in the presence of Juliet. "I saw her name in the papers.
How does she know me?"
"I can't say," said Juliet quickly; "come along this way."
She hurried along the narrow path, talking all the time. "She
came in just now and said you were waiting in the by-path. I
came out at once. I don't want my mother to see you.
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