Seeing her clasp the pillar by which she stood, he said, as he offered an arm-- "Walk with me, for a few minutes at the other end of the portico.

We will be less observed, and freer from interruption." But Fanny only shrunk closer to the pillar.
"If you have any thing to say to me, let it be said here," she replied.

Her trembling voice betrayed her agitation.
"What I have to say, concerns you deeply," returned the young man, "and you ought to hear it in a calmer mood.

Let us remove a little farther from observation, and be less in danger of interruption." "Speak, or retire!" said Fanny, with assumed firmness, waving her hand as she spoke.
But the stranger only bent nearer.
"I have a word for you from Mr.Lyon," said he, in a low, distinct whisper.
It was some moments before Fanny made answer.

There was a wild strife in her spirit.