I regained my liberty but yesterday, and father will be suspicious of me during the next few days.

I must be watchful and must have a care of my behavior." John summoned his wits and might have spoken his mind freely had he not feared to say too much.

Despite Dorothy's witchery, honor, conscience, and prudence still bore weight with him, and they all dictated that he should cling to the shreds of his resolution and not allow matters to go too far between him and this fascinating girl.

He was much in love with her; but Dorothy had reached at a bound a height to which he was still climbing.
Soon John, also, was to reach the pinnacle whence honor, conscience, and prudence were to be banished.
"I fear I must now leave you," said Dorothy, as darkness began to gather.
"I hope I may soon see you again," said John.
"Sometime I will see you if--if I can," she answered with downcast eyes.
"It is seldom I can leave the Hall alone, but I shall try to come here at sunset some future day." John's silence upon a certain theme had given offence.
"I cannot tell you how greatly I thank you," cried John.
"I will say adieu," said Dorothy, as she offered him her hand through the bars of the gate.

John raised the hand gallantly to his lips, and when she had withdrawn it there seemed no reason for her to remain.