A few yards farther on, the high road had been diverted from the straight line (in the interest of a large agricultural village), and was then directed again into its former course.

The by-road through the wood served as a short cut, for horsemen and pedestrians, from one divergent point to the other.

It was next to a certainty that Arthur would return by the short cut.

But if accident or caprice led to his preferring the highway, it was clearly necessary to wait for him within view of both the roads.
Too restless to submit to a state of passive expectation, Iris proposed to follow the bridle path through the wood for a little way, and to return if she failed to see anything of Arthur.

"You are tired," she said kindly to her companion: "pray don't move." Mrs.Lewson looked needlessly uneasy: "You might lose yourself, Miss.
Mind you keep to the path!" Iris followed the pleasant windings of the woodland track.