St. Claire, preferring
his carriage to the cars, had gone in it to Worcester, and taken
Phillis with him; that he would be absent some days; and that
Sophy, Phillis's daughter, when questioned as to his business, had
answered evasively,
"Gone to fetch his wife home for what I know."
"Maybe it is so," said Victor, looking Edith steadily in the face,
"Soph didn't mean me to believe it; but there's many a truth
spoken in jest."
Edith knew that, but she would not hearken for a moment to
Victor's suggestion. It made her too unhappy, and for three days
she had a fair opportunity of ascertaining the nature of her
feelings toward Arthur St. Claire, for nothing is more conducive
to the rapid development of love, than a spice of jealousy lest
another has won the heart we so much covet.
The next day, the fourth after Arthur's departure, she asked
Victor to ride with her on horseback, saying the fresh March wind
would do her good. It was nearly sunset when they started, and, as
there was a splendid moon, they continued their excursion to quite
a distance, so that it was seven ere they found themselves at the
foot of the long hill which wound past Collingwood and on to
Grassy Spring.
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