The torment of suspense was not to be endured: I would not suspect my husband falsely, on this man's accusation, and I would not trust him unworthily--I must know the truth at once.

I flew to the shrubbery.

Scarcely had I reached it, when a sound of voices arrested my breathless speed.
'We have lingered too long; he will be back,' said Lady Lowborough's voice.
'Surely not, dearest!' was his reply; 'but you can run across the lawn, and get in as quietly as you can; I'll follow in a while.' My knees trembled under me; my brain swam round.

I was ready to faint.
She must not see me thus.

I shrunk among the bushes, and leant against the trunk of a tree to let her pass.
'Ah, Huntingdon!' said she reproachfully, pausing where I had stood with him the night before--'it was here you kissed that woman!' she looked back into the leafy shade.