CHAPTER 16: The Pixies' Dell.
After leaving Petronella close to her home, and watching the slight figure vanish within the postern door, Cuthbert turned his own steps towards the Chase, resolved to see Philip and tell him what had passed between him and his sister before returning to the forest dell where he had resolved to keep his watch.
He would not make any disturbance at the house at this dead hour of the night; but as he was familiar with the place, he quickly found his way to a small pavilion in the garden, the door of which was not locked at night, and stretching himself upon a wooden settle which stood there, he quickly fell asleep, and slept soundly and well until awakened by the sound of a startled exclamation.
Springing to his feet, bewildered for a moment, and unable to remember where he was, he found himself confronted by the eager, startled face and big lustrous eyes of his cousin Kate.
"Cuthbert! thou here!" she exclaimed in amaze.

"Thou surely hast not brought me ill news of my--of Culverhouse!" and a deep flush overspread her face as she spoke.
Cuthbert hastened to reassure her.

He explained that he had not seen Culverhouse since they parted in the forest, and that his own errand was of a private nature, and concerned himself and his sister.
"Ah, poor Petronella! methinks a hard lot is hers, Cuthbert.

My brother does what he may; yet that is but little, and of late he has not been able so much as to get sight of her.

Yet I see not what thou canst do for her.