She knew the churchyard was at this period of the evening quite deserted, and almost unconscious what she was about, she hastily tied on her bonnet, and with the speed of a young fawn, she bounded through the narrow lane, and rested not till she found herself seated beside her favourite grave; there she gave full vent to the thoughts in which pleasure and confusion somewhat strangely and painfully mingled.
"Can you, will you forgive this unceremonious and, I fear, unwished-for intrusion ?" was the young stranger's address to Grahame, when he had recovered from the agitation which Lilla's emotion had called forth, he scarcely knew wherefore.

"To me you have ever extended the hand of friendship, Mr.Grahame, however severe upon the world in general, and will you refuse it now, when my errand here is to seek an even nearer and a dearer name ?" "You are welcome, ever welcome to my humble home, my dear boy, for your own sake, and for those dear to you," replied Grahame, with a return of former warmth and cordiality.

"More than usually welcome I may say, Edward, as this is your first visit here since your rescue from the bowels of the great deep.

You look confused and heated, and as if you would much rather run after your old companion than stay with me, but indeed I cannot spare you yet, I have so many questions to ask you." "Forgive me, Mr.Grahame, but indeed you must hear me first." "I came here to speak to you on a subject nearest my heart, and till that is told, till from your lips I know my fate, do not, for pity, ask me to speak on any other.

I meant not to have entered so abruptly on my mission, but that which Mr.Myrvin has imparted to me, and what I undesignedly overheard as I stood unseen on that terrace, have taken from me all the eloquence with which I meant to plead my cause." "Speak in your own proper person, Edward, and then I may perhaps hear you," replied Grahame, from whom the sight of his young friend appeared to have banished all misanthropy.