If you knew the terms of our friendship you would understand how natural it was for him to take me into his confidence, Miss Hood.

And I begged him to let me visit you, because'-- again she laughed in the same nervous way--'because he was in a foolish anxiety lest you might have vanished; I told him it was best that he should have the evidence of a very practical person's senses that you were really here and that he hadn't only dreamt it.

And as we did know each other, you see--You will construe my behaviour kindly, will you not ?' 'Surely I will, Miss Redwing,' Emily responded warmly.

'How else could I meet your own great kindness ?' 'I feared so many things; even at the door I almost turned away.

There seemed so little excuse for my visit.