One of the laurel boughs now quivered against the light background of sky, and in a moment the head of a man peered out, and remained still.

He seemed to be also much interested in the conversation at the door, and was plainly lingering there to watch and listen.

Had Stockdale stood in any other relation to Lizzy than that of a lover, he might have gone out and investigated the meaning of this: but being as yet but an unprivileged ally, he did nothing more than stand up and show himself against the firelight, whereupon the listener disappeared, and Lizzy and the miller spoke in lower tones.
Stockdale was made so uneasy by the circumstance, that as soon as the miller was gone, he said, 'Mrs.Newberry, are you aware that you were watched just now, and your conversation heard ?' 'When ?' she said.
'When you were talking to that miller.

A man was looking from the laurel- tree as jealously as if he could have eaten you.' She showed more concern than the trifling event seemed to demand, and he added, 'Perhaps you were talking of things you did not wish to be overheard ?' 'I was talking only on business,' she said.
'Lizzy, be frank!' said the young man.

'If it was only on business, why should anybody wish to listen to you ?' She looked curiously at him.